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United had asked for an answer a fortnight ago and been told by Leeds that they needed time to consider the move for Ferdinand. In the absence of a atisfactory
answer, United will now put it in writing and pile the pressure on the Elland Road
board.

The bid would go a long way to wiping out Leeds' debts, although the downside is huge because of the bad feeling between the supporters of both clubs and the message it sends out about the size of their relative ambitions and bank balances. Despite alleged interest from other clubs at home and abroad, Manchester United are the only outfit with genuine desire to sign Ferdinand.

Indeed some of those close to Ferdinand are not optimistic that the transfer will go ahead. One leading source said last night: "It is still unlikely that Manchester United's valuation is big enough for Leeds."

United's move is not just ambitious but also desperate. Their other targets, France's Lilian Thuram and Italy's Alessandro Nesta, are proving difficult to sign. Thuram, whose age is also against him, has signalled that he would be prepared to stay at Juventus while Lazio's Nesta is wildly priced at £35m and may prefer to stay in Italy.