Manchester United say they are confident of holding on to star player David Beckham even though new contract talks are dragging on with no immediate conclusion in sight.
The Premiership leaders do not want Beckham to be distracted by the ongoing talks during the climax to the season as they seek more success at home and abroad.
If no agreement on a new deal is reached soon, talks with Beckham will be put on hold until after the summer's World Cup Finals in South Korea and Japan.
That would take Beckham into the final year of his current contract and increase the possibility that he could leave Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer of 2003.
However, United's director of communications Paddy Harverson said: "We remain confident of signing a new deal with David. It's just taking longer than expected".
United chief executive Peter Kenyon has admitted that he and Beckham were frustrated talks were still dragging on. Kenyon claimed that despite eight months of talks, the two sides are still "adrift".
Kenyon said on MUTV: "I think we're close, but still a bit adrift. I guess we're all getting a bit frustrated by that. But we want him to sign and he wants to be a Manchester United player and I'm sure we'll get there".