Former Manchester United captain to become MBE in New Year Honours 2026

Sir David Beckham’s knighthood felt like one of those rare “full circle” moments for Manchester United supporters.

After Beckham was initially tipped for a knighthood in 2011, the Inter Miami owner finally received the award this year.

The former United and England captain was officially knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle in November, after being named in the King’s Birthday Honours earlier in the year.

After 14 years, Beckham was formally recognised for services to sport and charity.

It also lands at a time when football is taking up more and more space in the UK honours system, with contributions on and off the pitch being recognised across the men’s and women’s game.

Now, the women’s side of that story has a United link of its own.

BBC Sport have reported that Alex Greenwood has been named in the King’s New Year Honours list for 2026.

The former Manchester United Women captain is set to become an MBE alongside Lionesses team-mates Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone.

For United fans, Greenwood’s name is one of the key ones from the modern rebirth of the club’s women’s team.

She joined in 2018 and was handed the armband for the side’s inaugural season under Casey Stoney, leading the group to the FA Women’s Championship title and promotion to the Women’s Super League.

That promotion season was the foundation piece for everything United Women have built since, and Greenwood’s role as captain gave the project immediate credibility, both in the dressing room and in the wider game.

Greenwood left Old Trafford in August 2019 to join Lyon, with United confirming the move and noting her impact as captain during that first season back.

She has since returned to the north west, becoming a major figure at Manchester City and a consistent presence for England, who continue to ride the momentum of their recent tournament success.