Fergie decision gives Beckham hope

Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to stay on as Manchester United manager has improved the club's chances of keeping David Beckham.

But it is certain to accelerate the departure of striker Dwight Yorke who refused a move to Middlesbrough last week because he believed he had a United future under a new manager next season.

Beckham's contract runs out at the end of next season and he has been stalling on a new deal.

One of the reasons has been the uncertainty surrounding the appointment of a successor to Ferguson.

Although the club has offered the 26-year-old star a basic salary of £85,000 a week and agreed to back date the contract to the start of this season giving the player an extra £2.5 million, there is a dispute over his image rights.

He believes they are worth as much as £5m a year and wants an extra £20,000 a week from United to allow them to use his name and likeness to help sell United merchandise.

News that Ferguson is in talks with the club might persuade Beckham, who will be keen to carry on playing for the United manager for perhaps another two seasons, to reduce his demands.