Thuram is the target for United

The indications are that Beckham will be joined next season by Thuram after a campaign bedevilled with defensive frailties ended with United out of the top two for the first time in 11 years.

Sir Alex Ferguson missed out on Thuram last year when he moved from Parma to Juventus for £22million, but the new Serie A champions have opened the door for the United boss to finally get his man by returning to Parma with a £16m bid for Fabio Cannavaro which has been accepted.

Fergie would have to convince Juventus to take a hefty loss on their investment and it is unlikely the Old Trafford plc would pay more than £15m for a 30-year-old who earns £60,000-a-week.

Ferguson knows the defence is in danger of becoming his team's Achilles heel. He has decided that Ronny Johnsen's injury record is too chequered to warrant a new contract, Denis Irwin has ended a glorious 12-year career at Old Trafford and Laurent Blanc is not yet certain whether he wishes to postpone retirement.

United are also interested in Greece right back Christos

Patsatzoglou and have earmarked former Liverpool keeper James as a replacement for Fabien Barthez who looks likely to return to France.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon said: 'The defence is the area we are looking to improve. In terms of how much money there will be to spend, that hasn't been decided.'

Kenyon warned Arsenal that it will take more than one Premiership title to establish themselves as English football's top team.

Claims from Highbury of a shift in power have irritated United and he said: 'I think Arsenal will find it takes more than one season of success to make a club the best.

'If you look at their squad, they have major work to do. They have to bring the age down.

'There has been a lot of euphoria at Arsenal about winning two trophies. Their achievement is a big one, but at United we see our job as being about sustaining what we have done and building on it.

'The last time Arsenal won a Double in 1998, we replied by winning the Treble. You can draw your own conclusions from that.' His comments were echoed by Ferguson, whose rallying cry to the fans after the final whistle on Saturday indicated just how much resolve he will bring to the new campaign.

He said: 'This season has given us a kick in the right place.

' We can't take anything for granted and we know that now. We're not going to jump up and down and make promises but we will be back.'

United's failure to beat Charlton and Liverpool's defeat of Ipswich leaves Ferguson's team in the embarrassing situation of having to qualify for next season' s Champions League.

For Charlton, this was a game they would have won with more controlled finishing from young Kevin Lisbie.

Cantona 'treated like a pair of socks'