The Old Trafford hierarchy is hoping that an agreement will be reached quickly at that point, but, given that it took 16 months and considerable angst between opening talks and sealing a deal when Ferdinand signed his present contract, it is apprehensive about the situation.
United are also aware that the 29-year-old has expressed an ambition to play in Italy or Spain towards the end of his career and that, because he would be eligible to leave on a free transfer if no deal is agreed by June 2009, he and Zahavi will be in a strong bargaining position when negotiations start.