United give Beckham an ultimatum

David Beckham has been given a new ultimatum by Manchester United who say they will not increase their current £100,000-a-week offer to keep the England captain at Old Trafford.

Although United chief executive Peter Kenyon said this week he remained confident Beckham would sign a new contract before his current deal expires in the summer of 2003, the club's position has hardened.

It is understood representatives of the 26-year-old midfielder from SFX were told in a meeting last week that the offer on the table - £80,000 a week and a further £20,000 a week for his image rights backdated to the start of the season - was now final.

In public the player has said he intends to re-sign but it seems the club's patience is running out.

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