Madonna and Guy Ritchie have given themselves a year to save their marriage using a five-point plan, friends have revealed.

Ritchie, 39, flew to New York at the beginning of the month after reports that he and Madonna had consulted divorce lawyers.

Whispers of marriage problems grew louder after the 49-year-old star was romantically linked to New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez - rumours expressly denied by the singer.

Togetherness: Madonna and Guy Ritchie stroll hand-in-hand through Manhattan with their seven-year-old son Rocco

On Sunday, she took a rare day off from tour rehearsals and strolled to a cinema in New York with her husband and children Rocco, seven, and Lourdes, 11.

The show of family unity was somewhat undermined by Ritchie's glum expression.

However, friends insist he and his wife are making a concerted effort to stay together after a series of heart-to-hearts in the Big Apple.

First, they pledged to reduce their work schedules and agreed not to be apart for more than a week at a time.

Family time: Guy and Madonna spend time with Rocco, Lourdes and a friend

Second, they agreed the children will be educated in Britain, where the family is based.

Accompanied by a tutor, they will join Madonna for periods of her forthcoming tour.

Third, Madonna will cut her gym work-out time from four to three hours a day.

Fourth, Ritchie will be obliged to attend professional showbusiness events only once every two months.

Fifth, Madonna - whose third child, David, two, was adopted from Malawi - has agreed to postpone further adoption plans until after she finishes her tour.