says he is there as captain if any of the England youngsters need to ask him for advice - but he thinks Sven-Goran Eriksson’s young lions are doing alright.
Beckham flew in to New York from Madrid on Sunday evening and had his first training session with the young players that have done so 
much to impress on this tour.
And although he says they can come to him at any time, he doesn’t think they will need to. "It’s important as captain that they can come and talk to me about being in the squad, and of course I am there for them.
"But sometimes it’s better to learn the ropes on your own, and the main thing to remember is that it is great being part of this squad.
"If they do need to know anything, they can talk to me or the other senior professionals."
One of the new boys is Peter Crouch, who is set to make his debut against 
Colombia in New Jersey on Tuesday alongside Michael Owen.
And Beckham welcomed the additional options Crouch’s height and style give England. "It is always good to have a big man up front alongside Michael. They are two very different players, and while Michael has great pace, Peter has height and other assets."
Colombia have great memories for the skipper, who scored his first international goal against them in the 1998 World Cup in France. He said: "That was my first goal for England so playing Colombia is always special for me."
It was a trademark free-kick that day, and Beckham impressed the watching fans and press with his technique in training at the Giants Stadium. He said: "I practise day in and day out, both with my club and with 
England. All I think about is hitting the target and scoring a goal."
He was quick to stress to the host that he is an admirer of America, and will soon be opening an academy in Los Angeles to add to the one he has in London.
"I think it is important that American kids, both boys and girls, get a chance to progress, and if it produces another Mia Hamm then it has worked. That would be great."
He even admitted he would not rule out playing in Major League Soccer at the end of his career, and
added: "Maybe one day it might happen. You can never say never, so why not? I like America and have been 
here many times on holiday."
Before then, however, he is determined to see out his England career with a trophy, and the next aim is the World Cup in Germany.
He said: "I would not say I would be a failure as captain if England if we did not win anything, but I would feel I’d have missed out because it would be such a massive thing for me, the players, the manager and of course for the fans.
"Seeing how the fans respond, even travelling over here in their thousands, means that for me to be part of winning a major competition would be very special."