Los Angeles Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit insists he has to take the team's needs into account when deciding on where to play David Beckham.

The 33-year-old midfielder's customary position is wide on the right, but he has also been used in the centre throughout his career with Manchester United, Real Madrid and England.

Former Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop mostly deployed Beckham centrally when the Englishman arrived in LA during the second half of last season.

And now Gullit is grappling with the issue as the Galaxy prepare to head into the second half of the 2008 Major League Soccer season.

Having played him out on the right throughout the season, the Dutch coach started Beckham in central midfield eight days ago when the Galaxy drew 1-1 with LA rivals Chivas USA.

With Chivas 1-0 up and his side chasing an equaliser midway through the second half, Gullit reverted the player to his more customary role.

The move paid off with Beckham instigating the move that led to a 72nd-minute leveller.

"David played really well, especially in the first half," Gullit said. "Nevertheless I also have to think about the team and the players around him.

"I could see after a while that we were lacking in width and people who could cross those balls.

"So, I was happy with his performance but I needed the right side and it happened to be the right decision (to move him back) because David was an inspiration on the right side.

"He was providing a lot of danger from the right side, he was working very hard and it turned around the game.

"I think you have to try to get David as much into the game as possible, especially with his experience. Therefore it was a good experience.

"Later on, though, we understood the danger was coming when he was on the right side and the inspiration he gave the team was excellent."

Gullit was speaking at Giants Stadium ahead of Saturday night's clash with the New York Red Bulls, whose head coach Juan Carlos Osorio said he was planning for Beckham.

"The only adjustment we have to make is if he's going to play in a one position in the 4-4-2, or the centre position in the 4-3-2-1, or 4-1-4-1," Osorio said.

The Colombian, who served under Kevin Keegan as an assistant coach at Manchester City, hinted he would be more concerned to face Beckham in a wide role.

"If he plays out wide and he has a full-back like (Chris) Klein that overlaps him, then we have the decision to have one guy staying with the overlapping guy and another to prevent the early cross which is one of (Beckham's) strengths.

"From a central position it's different. That diagonal ball is no longer on and they rely more on central passes which I think are easy to read.

"But in both cases I think we have to give him credit. He's very dangerous and he has that ability to see a pass and execute it."