Beckham's World Cup goal

England captain David Beckham is optimistic

David Beckham has dismissed fears that next summer's World Cup could come too soon for Sven-Goran Eriksson's England to emerge as winners.

England have been touted as dark horses for Korea and Japan after the maturing young squad's spectacular progress under Eriksson.

But England captain Beckham was swift to reject the theory that victory in the 2006 World Cup would be a more realistic target.

England take the next step in their countdown with a friendly against Sweden at Old Trafford on Saturday.

And Beckham delivered an optimitic message when he said: "People say it is too early for this team to go and win a major competition - I don't feel it is.

Scholes has Beckham backing

"I think we can go there, and if we get through the first stages anything can happen. We have got a lot of good players and can perform.

"You have to have a certain amount of luck, but most of all the team spirit we have is very good. I have said before you have got to have that to go into any major competition."

Beckham admitted England must learn the lessons of the below-par performance in the deciding World Cup qualifier against Greece, when his injury-time free-kick earned a 2-2 draw and a place in the World Cup.

He said: "I think we need to take things from that game, and one of the big things about this team is that we own up when we don't perform well.

People say it is too early for this team to go and win a major competition - I don't feel it is

England captain David Beckham

"The players and manager have sat down and we just can't work out why we didn't play against Greece. It was weird, but we know we have to play better and learn lessons."

Beckham delivered public backing for Manchester United Paul Scholes after his non-appearance in the Worthington Cup tie against Arsenal - and tipped Liverpool's Danny Murphy to win a deserved first full cap.

He said: "I don't know what has gone on with Paul. It is between him and the manager.

"But everyone knows his quality. He scores goals in big games, works hard and gets stuck in."

And on Murphy he added: "Danny has proved this season and last he has come on bundles. He's got a lot of quality, works hard and never gives the ball away.

Murphy set for first cap

"He deserves his chance because of the way he has been playing for Liverpool."

Beckham also swept aside suggestions of a crisis at Manchester United after their indifferent start to the season.

He said: "It doesn't bother me. When we draw or lose a game at Manchester United it is a crisis.

"It is always disappointing to lose a game, especially at Liverpool, and particularly because of the way we played, but these things happen and you carry on."

Beckham said: "All the players are used to criticism nowadays, and you get on with it because if you didn't you would be out of the team.

"Manchester United's players are a determined bunch and we will just carry on."