Kenyon believes Beckham transfer not on summer agenda

PETER KENYON does not expect David Beckham’s name to be given more than a fleeting mention when he meets Alex Ferguson to discuss Manchester United’s summer transfer strategy.

The Old Trafford chief executive has delivered a firm response to renewed speculation that Beckham will leave the club for Real Madrid during the summer by insisting he expects the England captain to start the new season with the eight-time Premiership champions.

"I'm sure David will be with us next season," Kenyon said. "All this speculation has overshadowed the last few weeks, and that has been unfortunate.

"The concentration has been on the speculation when the people involved in that process have declined to comment or said nothing's going on."

Real president Florentino Perez, who brought superstars Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo to the club, once denied having contact with Ronaldo. Real were reported to see Beckham, worth an estimated $60 million, as the man to turn them into a global brand.

A firm denial of any interest in Beckham by Real Madrid has failed to douse intense speculation, even though United have constantly insisted there have been no talks between the two clubs. On Saturday's evening's ITV Premiership programme, host Des Lynam made much of Beckham apparently telling close friend Gary Neville "I've had talks" - while the significance of the midfielder returning to the pitch after the game for a 30-minute kickabout with four-year-old son Brooklyn has also been played up as an emotional farewell to Old Trafford.

The England skipper embraced each of his team-mates and shared a brief chat with injured best pal Gary Neville. He also applauded all four sides of the ground before finally making his exit.

Kenyon is due to sit down with Ferguson over the next fortnight to work through the summer transfer strategy with Ronaldinho, Patrick Kluivert, Harry Kewell, Paul Robinson and Damien Duff among the big names linked with an Old Trafford move.

If Beckham does not leave Fabien Barthez is likely to be the biggest name to depart with Laurent Blanc and David May set to follow as Ferguson looks to strengthen his squad while keeping it within the 24-man limit Kenyon has imposed.

Another Premier League trophy in the cabinet certainly leaves Ferguson in a position of strength in making his demands. But despite the manager's famously short fuse bringing a few more negative headlines this season there is no sign Kenyon is growing weary of dealing with him.

"The squad will always need freshening up," said the United chief executive. "Maintaining it is what keeps us at the top.

"But we need to offer congratulations to Sir Alex on this achievement. It really vindicates his decision not to retire.

"The quality of the squad and the manager is that they never give in. We are at our best when our backs are against the wall, and this triumph is a testament to Sir Alex as a person.

"He has proved he still has the hunger and he is still the best manager. It is the 27th trophy he has picked up; he has won eight titles out of 11 and he really is up there as one of the all-time greats."