Veron eyes up Beckham's job

Juan Sebastian Veron touched down in Manchester yesterday and immediately threatened to tread on David Beckham's toes.

Manchester United were bracing themselves for more hard bargaining over England skipper Beckham's future as the Argentina midfielder underwent a medical.

Veron will be unveiled today as British football's most expensive player, but it became clear United's £23.5million signing from Lazio had been earmarked for the central midfield role so coveted by Beckham.

There are also indications that United could be splashing out again soon after France wing- back Bixente Lizarazu made it clear he was still keen to leave Bayern Munich for Old Trafford.

Beckham, after thriving in a pivotal position for England last season in contrast to his patchy form on the flank for United, believed he was on the verge of convincing Sir Alex Ferguson that he was ready to be installed alongside skipper Roy Keane at the heart of the champions' midfield.

But Veron, paraded in a No. 7 shirt yesterday, appears to have beaten him to it and is about to launch the latest stage of a spectacular career on £80,000 a week wages that will add further spice to talks over a new contract for the favourite. United countered Beckham's opening request for £120,000 a week by offering him half as much and creating a deadlock that has yet to be broken.