Premiership: One name on Kenyon's short-list

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has "one man in mind" to replace Alex Ferguson when he retires as manager at the end of the season.

The Old Trafford board will discuss the matter in greater detail in the new year.

A number of top-level coaches have already been linked with one of the plum jobs in world club football.

Kenyon denied a short-list has already been drawn up but says he already knows which coach would get his vote.

"There is probably one name in my head - but I am not going to share that," he said.

"There has been much talk about a short-list. That has come out because there it isn’t going to be a long list. But there is not a list in the safe at Old Trafford anywhere.

"The whole process won’t really start until after Christmas. Everyone at Old Trafford is prepared and looking at getting results this season.

"We didn’t want to take our eye off that, so it won’t really start in earnest until the new year.

"Alex is bearing up incredibly well. We all came off last season believing this season would be far more competitive.

"There is a lot of pressure at any time for any manager, particularly when it’s your final season."

Kenyon remains confident that England captain David Beckham will remain at the club.

Beckham still has 18 months to run on his current deal, and talks are ongoing.

"We’ve got other meetings with his people scheduled before Christmas," said Kenyon.

"As you know we would love to retain David. Everybody at Manchester United and our fans want to keep him.

"That’s not the issue - it’s finding the right agreement, and I hope we hope we are getting closer.

"There’s no absolute timescale on this. He’s got until 2002 under his current contract.

"Obviously there is a financial element, but he’s also looking at his broader career.

"There has been speculation that he’s waiting until who the new manager is - but that has never been an issue.

"I am confident he will stay. It would be good for him, good for Manchester United and good for England."

Kenyon has rejected claims that United have made an illegal approach for PSV defender Kevin Hofland.

"If you look at our relationship with PSV there is no need for illegal tapping because we have a direct route into the club," said Kenyon.

"There has been no approach.

"We are aware of Hofland. He’s got an increasing reputation, but we know his contractual position. If there was any interest we would go direct to the chairman."