TWENTY GRAND A WEEK

Roy Carroll believes he has moved significantly closer towards signing a new contract at Manchester United after agreeing, in principle, a financial package with the club's chief executive David Gill.

United have marginally increased their original terms to offer Carroll a salary in the region of £20,000. The Northern Ireland keeper had hoped to join the club's £30,000-a-week earners, but he is also mindful that his highly publicised mistake against Tottenham a week ago has considerably weakened his bargaining position.

It is understood that Gill will approach Sir Alex Ferguson before returning to Carroll and his representatives to ascertain whether the manager regards the Irishman as a first-team player or whether he intends to bring in another goalkeeper.