Premiership: United backdate Beckham deal

Manchester United have included the cost of David Beckham's new contract in their latest half-year figures even though he has yet to sign on the dotted line.

United have agreed to backdate Beckham's hike in wages to the start of this season if he signs before the end of the campaign.

The club remain optimistic Beckham will sign by then and in anticipation of this they have included the likely terms of his deal in their figures for the six-month period up to January 31.

The England captain's new contract is expected to be worth around €150,000 a week, including his image rights clause, and United claim they are showing financial prudence by making an allowance for it.

United's logic is sound, but it reveals just how confident they are that Beckham will sign. It is also the clearest indication yet that both sides are very close to striking a deal.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon is positive about the state of the negotiations, which have gone on for 10 months, and feels a deal will be struck before this summer's World Cup finals.

"I think discussions are going well and we would expect that the contract will be completed prior to the World Cup," he said.

United have agreed a basic salary with the midfielder and the remaining sticking point is this question of how much his image rights are worth.

Beckham's salary is set to rocket by just under 300% and his new deal is one of the reasons why United's wage bill has risen by a staggering €15.5m over the six-month period.