Irish millionaire John Courtenay is to end Michael Knighton's nine-year reign at Carlisle by purchasing the Division Three Club, which is managed by Roddy Collins.
The pair held a final round of talks yesterday morning after almost two weeks of delicate negotiations. "Everything has been agreed," said Courtenay. "It will take three or four weeks for the legal work to be done - the same as buying a house.
"I have taken over lock, stock and barrel and I'm absolutely delighted. The Knighton family will be finished with the club. I'm not kicking them out - they are perfectly happy to go."
Collins is expected to be handed a five-year deal and money to strengthen the squad. He is expected to look to former club Bohemians for new players.
Manchester United's chief executive Peter Kenyon last night admitted the club have become frustrated over contract talks with David Beckham and are seriously considering selling their most valuable asset.
Following another breakdown in negotiations, the Old Trafford hierarchy have resigned themselves to the likelihood that the midfielder has no intention of declaring where his future lies until after the World Cup.
The club are concerned that should the England captain play well in front of a global audience, he would return from the Far East with his value having risen significantly and could thus negotiate from a position of greater strength.
"We are at that frustrating stage where we are close but not close enough to finalising the matter and, after several months of negotiations, you do reach a point where you look to conclude it one way or the other," Kenyon said.
United have offered Beckham a package of around £85,000 sterling a week as well as a percentage of merchandise sales as part of an image rights package.
Kenyon also confirmed that preliminary discussions have been held with Roy Keane about a new £75,000-a-week contract, but the club want to clarify Beckham's position first before sitting down with the captain again.
Italy's coach Giovanni Trapattoni has thrown his hat into the ring as a replacement for Alex Ferguson as United's manager. "Even at my age I do not think it's too late for me," the 62-year-old told Football Italia magazine. "United are a great club and I would love to work with them."
United have have not responded to Dutch press reports which claim former Holland manager Louis van Gaal has already been offered the manager's job by Kenyon.
Republic of Ireland winger Mark Kennedy has been reassured by a German sports injury specialist that a hamstring problem will not hamper his push for inclusion in Mick McCarthy's Ireland World Cup squad.
