Robbie Savage wasn’t blessed with world-class ability but he made the most of the talent he possessed thanks to sheer hard work.The Welshman is often mocked these days because of his punditry on television, but take nothing away from his football career.He made over 600 professional appearances in the Premier League and Football League, plying his trade for a host of clubs including Leicester City, Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers. He also represented his country on 39 occasions, scoring two goals.Savage was part of United’s famous FA Youth Cup winning team of 1992 - where he played alongside the likes of Paul Scholes and Gary Neville - but wasn’t quite good enough to ever feature for the Red Devils’ first team.Still, he worked hard with Crewe Alexandra in the old Second Division after being released by United in 1994 and eventually worked his way back into the Premier League, where he remained for the majority of his career.Savage also played alongside David Beckham during his time with United. The winger would, of course, go on to become captain of the England national team and one of the most famous men on the planet.Subsequently, Savage was keen to get the superstar’s shirt when Birmingham City played United at Old Trafford in the early 2000s.

Savage tells funny story involving Fergie and Beckham

In a story that is bound to make you smile, Savage revealed what Sir Alex Ferguson did when he tried to get Beckham’s shirt after the match.

“I said [to Beckham] ‘can I have your shirt?’ and he said ‘yeah, but ask Albert the kitman’, so as we were walking off I said, quietly to Albert, ‘can I have Becks’ shirt?’ and he said ‘yeah, but you’ve got to ask the manager.’

“At Old Trafford the away changing room is opposite the manager’s door - it was then, anyway - and I said to our manager ‘listen, I’m going to ask Sir Alex for David’s shirt’ and the manager said ‘okay, but don’t make a big thing of it because we lost the game’.

“So I knocked on the door, the door opened and he went ‘Hi, Robert’ - he called me Robert! - and I said ‘David and Albert said I can have David’s shirt - is that okay?’ He went ‘No’ and shut the door.”

Video: Savage tells the story

The way Savage tells the story makes it particularly hilarious.

You can just picture Fergie issuing such a blunt response to the former midfielder’s request and him returning to the away dressing room with his tail between his legs.

Ferguson clearly had no time for players messing about swapping shirts.

Wonder if Robbie ever did get Becks’ jersey…