Manchester United and England legend David Beckham celebrates his 42nd birthday today, so everyone here at Shoot! would like to wish the former midfielder many happy returns!

Beckham was a key part of a successful Red Devils youth side at the start of the 1990s, before making his senior debut in 1992 and then helping Sir Alex Ferguson’s men win the Premier League title in 1996.

The 42-year-old was also part of that treble-winning side in 1999 and added three more league crowns before moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2003.

The former England captain spent four years in the Spanish capital, winning La Liga in his final season at the club before sealing a massive move to MLS outfit LA Galaxy in the summer of 2007.

He enjoyed a five-year stint in the United States, albeit did have two loan spells at AC Milan in 2008/09 and 2009/10, before permanently returning to Europe with French giants Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.

So, with Beckham celebrating his 42nd birthday today, we at Shoot! thought we’d take a look back at his career in pictures…

Man United early years

Beckham played a prominent part in United’s youth team (which is pictured above), before going on to make his senior debut in a League Cup tie against Brighton back in September 1992.

That earned him a professional contract at Old Trafford a few months later, although he wouldn’t make his Premier League debut for the Red Devils until April 1995, this after a loan spell at Preston in the 1994/95 campaign.

And that was the start of what turned out to be a stellar career at Old Trafford.

League and Cup double (1995/96)

Beckham’s first full season as part of the first team set-up at United saw him help Sir Alex Ferguson’s men to the league and cup double.

The former England captain scored seven goals in just 33 Premier League games to help the Red Devils beat Newcastle to the title by four points, and he also played a big part in their FA Cup success.

It was he who scored the winner in their 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the semi-final, before providing the corner from which Eric Cantona netted an 85th minute winner against Liverpool in the final at Wembley.

That Wimbledon goal (1996)

Fresh from a league and cup double in his first full season at United, Beckham then scored a magical goal and one of the best the Premier League has ever seen against Wimbledon in 1996.

The 42-year-old struck a sensational effort from inside his own half towards Neil Sullivan’s goal, and the ball sailed over the Dons goalkeeper and nestled perfectly into the back of the net to give United a 3-0 lead.

Not a bad way to start the new season!

England debut and 1998 World Cup

Only Peter Shilton (125) and Wayne Rooney (119) have played more games for England than Beckham, and it all began back in September 1996 against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier.

And the midfielder played a massive part in helping Glenn Hoddle’s side reach the 1998 World Cup in France, playing all of their qualifiers, and although he wasn’t selected for their first two games at the tournament, he scored his first goal for the Three Lions in a 2-0 win over Colombia in their final group match.

Here, Beckham can be seen netting that wonderful free-kick, which was to be the first of three World Cup finals he scored at.

The treble (1999)

Beckham won his second Premier League title in 1997, but arguably his greatest club achievement saw him help Ferguson’s side to the treble in 1999.

The midfielder scored six goals in 34 Premier League matches to help United secure a 12th First Division title, beating Arsenal by a point, and then played the full 90 minutes as the Red Devils comfortably beat Newcastle 2-0 in the FA Cup final on May 22.

Yet their greatest night was still to come as, four days later, Beckham was part of the United starting eleven which netted twice in injury-time to come from behind to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in Barcelona.

Here, the 42-year-old can be seen celebrating their European triumph with one of the goal-scorers Teddy Sheringham, as well as club legend Ryan Giggs.

England captain and 2002 World Cup

England caretaker boss Peter Taylor gave Beckham the captaincy in 2000 following Kevin Keegan’s departure, and the midfielder remained in the role until after the 2006 World Cup.

And it was Beckham who led by example en route to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, with he of course netting that sensational last-gasp free-kick against Greece at Old Trafford to secure the draw that England needed to reach the finals.

But Beckham didn’t stop there as the 42-year-old scored a penalty to help Sven Goran-Eriksson’s men overcome Argentina 1-0 in the group stages, although was unable to prevent the Three Lions from losing 2-1 to eventual champions Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Here, Beckham is pictured scoring that free-kick against Greece to book England’s place at the World Cup finals.

Real Madrid (2003-2007)

Beckham’s relationship with United boss Ferguson became increasingly strained as his career at Old Trafford wore on, and thus moved to Spanish outfit Real Madrid in the summer of 2003.

The 42-year-old went on to make 155 appearances for the Galacticos and scored 20 times for the European giants, helping Fabio Capello’s side to the La Liga title in 2007.

Here, Beckham is seen playing in El Clasico back in April 2006 at the Nou Camp, a game his Madrid side would only draw 1-1 to all but end their La Liga title chances.

LA Galaxy (2007-2012)

Beckham stayed in the Spanish capital until 2007, before securing a momentous move to Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy.

The former England international became arguably the most high-profile signing to move to the United States, and has paved the way for several other top stars to make the move across the Atlantic.

Beckham played 118 times for the Galaxy, scoring 20 times, and helped them to twice win the MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012, as well as the Supporters’ Shield in 2010 and 2011.

Beckham did move back to Europe with AC Milan in the 2008/09 and 2009/10 campaigns after being given another chance in the England set-up, and he eventually ended his time in America in 2013.

Here, the midfielder is seen playing for LA Galaxy during his five-year spell at the club.

Final England cap (2009)

Beckham’s spell with LA Galaxy also coincided with his final England cap, which came against Belarus in October 2009 at Wembley.

It saw the 42-year-old’s Three Lions career come to an end after 115 caps and 17 goals for his country, a career spanning 13 years.

Beckham captained his country 58 times in his career, his last being against Portugal in quarter-final of the 2006 World Cup, and here he is pictured acknowledging the England fans following that final cap against Belarus.

Paris Saint-Germain and retirement (2013)

Beckham returned permanently to Europe in January 2013 with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

The midfielder became the 400th player to appear for the Ligue 1 outfit when he made his debut against Marseille, and went on to play a further 13 times for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, helping them to a third league title.

That campaign was also his last as Beckham announced his retirement in May 2013, bringing to an end a career which spanned over two decades, and one which saw him accumulate 719 appearances at club level, scoring 129 times.

Here, Beckham is pictured pitting his wits against Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta in their Champions League quarter-final, a clash Ancelotti’s men would lose on the away goals rule after drawing 2-2 at home, and then 1-1 at the Nou Camp.