Premiership: United hopeful of imminent Beckham deal

Manchester United believe David Beckham could commit his future to the club "within a week".

He is ruled out for the rest of the domestic season after breaking a bone in his foot.

Beckham's current contract runs out in the summer of 2003 and he has been in negotiations with the Old Trafford club for several months.

Image rights have been the stumbling block over a new deal, reported to be worth around £100,000 a week.

However, United chief executive Peter Kenyon believes Beckham will shortly put pen to paper.

He said: "I am now convinced that the contract with David will be in place before he flies off to Japan with England. It could even be put to bed within a week or so.

"David has been making strong statements about wanting to remain at United for some time and, despite all the speculation, I have always been convinced he would stay with us.

"In my mind, this latest contract agreement was never in doubt."

Kenyon added in The Mail On Sunday: "We expect to have everything resolved before the World Cup departure date."