Man Utd's sole candidate

Kenyon knows who he wants to succeed Ferguson

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has said he only has one man in mind to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as manager at Old Trafford.

Several high profile names have been linked with the job since Ferguson announced that he would retire at the end of the current season.

There is probably one name in my head

United chief executive Peter Kenyon

These include Roma coach Fabio Capello, Bayern Munich supremo Ottmar Hitzfeld and England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

But Kenyon insists there is no short-list at Old Trafford.

"There is probably one name in my head but I am not going to share that," Kenyon told BBC Radio Five Live.

"There has been much talk of a short-list but there is not a list in the safe at Old Trafford.

"The whole process won't really start until after Christmas."

Capello has signed a new contract with Roma and Hitzfeld has said that he will honour his contract with Bayern, which runs until 2004.

Eriksson has said he is flattered by reports linking him with United.

Kenyon added that the current focus at United is on improving the team's form.

"Everyone at Old Trafford is looking at getting results this season.

"Sir Alex is bearing up incredibly. There is a lot of pressure at any time for any manager, particularly when it is your final season."

Eriksson is flattered to be linked with United

Meanwhile, Kenyon is confident that David Beckham will end months of speculation and sign a new contract with United.

Beckham has 18 months left on his current deal and is still in negotiations with the club.

"As you know we would love to retain David," said Kenyon.

"Obviously there is a financial element, but he is also looking at his broader career.

"I am confident he will stay. It would be good for him, good for Manchester United and good for England."