David Beckham put the onus on the Manchester United board to come up with the right deal to keep him and warned talks would not be finished before Christmas.
Beckham was outwardly positive but warned: "I don't think it's fair to go into detail about my contract talks but I don't think they will be sorted out before Christmas as we had intended them to be. Hopefully they will get sorted out".
The sticking point is understood to be over image rights, with the midfielder's advisers wanting to ensure that the total deal equates to £100,000 sterling a week.
Beckham's comments came the day after United chief executive Peter Kenyon revealed that the club had "gone as far as we can" in offering terms to the England captain.
Kenyon added: "We have been in discussions with David and his agents for several months and they have been pretty extensive. We want him to stay and so does he. We are all hopeful. For all our sakes, we would like to get this thing drawn to a close".
Beckham, whose current deal runs out in 18 months, also confirmed he is keen to learn the identity of Ferguson's successor, although the successful candidate is unlikely to be revealed for some time yet.
"It's probably not as important as a lot of people have said but of course it is an issue. I'd like to know who the next manager is going to be but it wouldn't stop me signing a new contract," said Beckham. He says his heart is still at Old Trafford despite his recent spell on the sidelines, insisting that he had been left out due to a back injury.
PA