Beckham had two stitches put in a head wound

By Stuart Roach

So what now for David Beckham?

The Manchester United midfielder has apparently demanded a full apology from Sir Alex Ferguson following the pair's much-publicised boot-room bust-up.

Ferguson's poorly aimed kick at a stray football boot following the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal left Beckham with two stitches in a head wound and United with a crisis on their hands.

But if his demand of an apology goes unanswered, then Beckham's position at Old Trafford will surely be compromised.

They are both grown men and I'm sure they will move on from here Man Utd spokesman

Manchester United officials, in their usual desperation to whitewash Old Trafford's bloodied walls, may have inadvertently hinted at Beckham's eventual decision.

"These things happen," said the spokesman, adding: "They are both grown men and I'm sure they will move on from here."

Beckham may indeed move on, with no shortage of suitors waiting with an obliging cheque book.

Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all been linked with a move for the midfielder in the past, with AC Milan now apparently joining the chase.

Ferguson looks on as Beckham receives treatment

The feeling in the aftermath of the United boot room bust-up is that something - or someone - has to give.

If not Beckham then Ferguson himself.

The manager has clearly overstepped the line of acceptable outbursts normally toed by the throwing of tea cups or a barrage of abuse.

But if Beckham thinks his manager is going to resign over the incident, or even issue the full apology he wants, he is likely to be disappointed.

The bookies certainly believe Beckham will be the one to give way, William Hill quoting odds of 4-7 that Beckham will cease to be a United player before Fergie ceases to be the club's manager.

Hills offer 5-4 that Ferguson will go first.

The England captain's most sensible option would be to stay and sweat it out. Beckham has described Ferguson as a father figure and may be prepared to accept this as a family feud gone wrong.

Wednesday's Champions League game with Juventus is unlikely to offer any clues, though Beckham is fit after recovering from a calf injury picked up in the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal that preceded Ferguson's dressing-room rant.

And if he does move, rumours surrounding his destination will be feverish.

And another name has been mischievously thrown into the ring as the Old Trafford dust settles.

That of Arsenal.

In terms of the title race, Ferguson may have already shot himself in the foot with his dressing-room outburst, with a wedge apparently driven between the manager and his players.

But if Arsene Wenger was able to manipulate an Old Trafford crisis in his favour, he truly will have secured a memorable double in his battle of wills with Ferguson.