Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United will have to break their wage structure if they are to maintain their dominance of English football. Ferguson's warning comes as United attempt to reach a compromise with skipper Roy Keane over a new contract.

It is believed that Keane is looking for around £40,000 a week but United are unwilling to shatter their wages limit fearing it would lead to players demanding to renegotiate their deals.

However, unless United reach an agreement with Keane they could lose him for nothing next summer under the Bosman Ruling, with his contract having only one more season to run.

Ferguson warned his club will have to change with the times. "They are bound to," he said. "They are going to have to change because life changes."

Keane's lawyer Michael Kennedy said: "Roy is giving serious consideration to his position. I expect him to deliver a decision by Monday or Tuesday."

Leeds prepare to bid for striker

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale is to finalise plans for a new striker with manager David O'Leary this Wednesday. Since the departure of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Leeds have been linked with a number of strikers - Leicester's Emile Heskey, Chelsea's Tore Andre Flo and Coventry's Noel Whelan, who is keen to return to the club where he started his career.

Ridsdale admitted that the only bid has so far been for Heskey, while Chelsea informed him Flo was not available.

The battle for the right to host the 2006 World Cup officially gets under way in Zurich today when the five bidding coutries formally present their case before FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

South Africa begin with a 30minute presentation followed by Morocco and England. Twenty-four hours later Brazil and Germany complete the campaign launch.