SOCCER: David Beckham's relationship with Manchester United was heading towards an acrimonious divorce last night when he proclaimed himself "disappointed and surprised" that the club had accepted a conditional offer from Barcelona in the region of £25 million.

Furious that he had been "used as a political pawn in Barcelona's presidential elections", Beckham made it clear he would not contemplate the move and that the glamour of the Nou Camp would not compensate for starting next season in the Intertoto Cup.

In a day of highly political developments that have left Beckham at an uneasy stand-off with his employers, the England captain responded to United's provocative announcement that a deal was close to being concluded by insisting he would not entertain the idea of moving to Barcelona.

His advisers released a statement, saying: "David is very disappointed and surprised to learn of the club's statement. David's advisers have no plans to meet Mr Laporta or his representatives."

Manchester United's announcement took Beckham's agents SFX by surprise and infuriated the player. It signified a raising of stakes in a saga that will see many more twists and turns. What is clear is that both Beckham and Manchester United accept he will start next season at another club.

Yesterday's announcement was uncharacteristically rash for a club that is obsessive about keeping transfers secret. It is equally peculiar that they should enter into such comprehensive negotiations with a man who is not yet elected to a position of power and indeed may never be.

United are making certain that wherever Beckham goes, they will ensure there is enough competition for his signature so that a proper price will be paid. The corollary is that the ultimate destination will be chosen by Beckham - and Barcelona is unlikely to fit the bill.

Beckham can cite Barcelona's failure to qualify for the Champions League and also that they have also fared less well domestically. While Manchester United have won the Premiership seven years out of the past 10, Barcelona have only been successful in La Liga in three of the past 10 years.

Beckham also has reservations about moving his family to Catalonia. His advisers pointed to an interview earlier this season in which he recalled the troubles he encountered when he filmed a commercial in Spain.

"It was the worst incident of photographers following us that I've ever seen. There were cars coming up by the side of us and at the back of us, slowing down in front of us - and that was just on the way from the airport," he said. "We jumped out of the car and all hell broke loose. It was an absolute nightmare. Victoria was in tears and it was the worst experience of my life. It put me off ever considering moving abroad."

Yesterday's calculated statement from Old Trafford was timed deliberately not just to increase Laporta's chances of winning Barcelona's elections, making the transfer more likely, but to let other clubs - namely Milan and Madrid - know that if they want Beckham they need to move quickly.

Ferguson has left the transfer negotiations to United's chief executive Peter Kenyon, but his one request is that Beckham is out of Old Trafford before his autobiography is serialised later this summer, with the hullabaloo that will inevitably bring.

It has also emerged that Beckham's departure would not provoke the level of disquiet in United's dressing-room that might have been anticipated. Roy Keane is among those who, like Ferguson, disapproves of Beckham's extravagant lifestyle.

Nevertheless, Beckham has two years of his contract remaining and can refuse to go anywhere. But it would not be beyond Ferguson to ostracise him, and the last thing Beckham wants is for his 14-year association with the club, comprising five Premiership championship medals, two FA Cups and one European Cup, to be remembered for its shabby ending rather than all the highs.

United's statement emphasised that the transfer was "subject to a number of conditions, critically Mr Laporta being elected president on Sunday and Barcelona subsequently reaching agreement with David Beckham on his personal contract". However, Laporta told Spanish journalists yesterday that even if he is not elected on Sunday - of the six candidates it has become a contest between him and Lluis Bassat - he will pass the transfer details to the club.

"I am sure when he sees the Nou Camp he will want to come here and when he comes back from holiday on Saturday we will talk to the player," he said. "If I am not elected president, I will turn over the transfer to the man who does win."