Old Trafford defender Gary Neville Beckham's best pal has revealed the Real Madrid ace phones him up to five times a week to find out the latest goings-on.

Neville insists Becks still cares deeply about United, even though he is bitterly upset with Fergie's frosty treatment towards him.

The United boss has spoken only once to the England star since his £25million move to Spain in July at the funeral of young United striker Jimmy Davis, who died in a car crash in August.

Neville, 28, said: "David usually rings before and after every game. We speak up to five times a week because he is still very interested in what is happening at United.

"Just because he has left Manchester doesn't mean he does not care. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"I've been out to see him play in Spain once and I hope to do so again before the end of the season.

"David is always interested in what is going on with the rest of the lads which is why he keeps in touch all the time."

Neville refused to discuss Beckham's relationship with Fergie. But the Manchester United boss is unlikely to be impressed that trusty lieutenant Neville is in constant contact with a player he could not wait to ship out in the summer.

Neville and his brother Phil are already believed to have had a ticking off from Fergie for appearing in a mobile phone advert with Beckham which portrayed Manchester as a gloomy place.

Meanwhile, Neville has urged Sven Goran Eriksson to pledge his future to England ahead of the Euro 2004 finals in June.

Eriksson's current deal with the FA expires after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

But the Swede has been offered a two-year extension which would see him through to the 2008 European Championships.

England ace Neville said it was important that Eriksson signed the deal soon so the players can concentrate on next summer's tournament in Portugal.

"The worst thing about England over the last six or seven years was having three or four managers. It gave us no stability.

"This is probably the longest period of permanence we have had and if Sven can go on for another four or five years we will get better."