Barca, Milan and Inter eye Ferguson's Beckham decision

Manchester United are set to finally resolve the question of David Beckham's future at the club after sealing a deal to keep Sir Alex Ferguson as manager

United confirmed today to the London Stock Exchange that Ferguson is to stay as their manager on a new contract until 2005.

Ferguson's first job will be to decide the future of Beckham with FC Barcelona, Inter and Milan all keen to sign the right-sided midfielder.

United know a good World Cup for the player - and in particular his free kicks - could raise a massive transfer fee to fund further spending on the defence in the summer by Ferguson.

Targets Kevin Hofland, Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro are all expensive

Beckham says he wants to sign a new contract with Manchester United as soon as possible after 21 meetings to try and thrash out his future with the Premiership leaders.

"I am closer to signing now than I was six months ago. It would be nice to settle it before the World Cup and the fact that Sir Alex is staying makes it a lot easier. But it's still got to be right for me and, although we are closer to getting an agreement, we are not close enough yet."

Image rights are still holding up the deal to keep Beckham at United but the player hopes a new contract agreement is only weeks away after a marathon negotiation process.

"This decision is the biggest of my career and I have to get it right. There have been 21 meetings and I have only sat in on one. I don't really need to be there," said the England captain three weeks ago.

Beckham's image rights mean his new contract with Manchester United is not ready to be signed yet.

United want Beckham to agree a new contract by the end of next month or Milan, Inter and FC Barcelona are all ready to test the Premiership leader's resolve to keep the England captain.

The image rights questions has delayed any new deal for Beckham over the last nine months.

His face, signature, likeness and name and worth a fortune in endorsements to United and the player but Beckham wants to sell these assets at their highest price.

So far United have not been able to agree to his demands but other clubs would.