PHIL Neville has called on England's boo-boys to lay off David Beckham and unite behind the nation's Euro 2000 bid.

Beckham was the subject of sickening taunts after England's opening Group A defeat to Portugal.

The midfielder's Manchester United team-mates were also targeted by a small section of the England support which was criticised by coach Kevin Keegan and the FA after the 3-2 defeat in Eindhoven.

But Neville, expected to keep his place in the starting line-up along with brother Gary for tonight's game with old rivals Germany, is hoping for a united front among England's fans for the vital clash in Charleroi.

"It's disappointing but every time we play for England all the Manchester United lads get stick," he said.

"Once you're playing for England I think all club rivalry should be put away. We're all under the national banner.

"In the dressing room you're teaming up with players from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. And though you're deadly rivals in the Premier League, when you meet up for England you have to be professional and be friends.

"And that's what the fans should do. David Beckham was playing for England not Manchester United, it's all for one." England almost certainly need to beat Germany for the first time in a major tournament since 1966 to keep alive their hopes of reaching the last eight.

And United full-back Neville believes now is a good time to play the defending European champions.

He said: "Regardless of the result on Monday the German game was always going to be the biggest game of the tournament for England fans.

"We won't need any motivation for it and personally I don't think we could be playing the Germans at a better time.

"We're getting whispers that all's not well in the camp. They're picking up a few injuries and there could be no better time to play them."

The continued inclusion of veteran sweeper Lothar Matthaus has caused unrest within the German squad, which has also been hit by injury to captain and leading striker Oliver Bierhoff.