Edwin van der Sar has confirmed he has decided to sign a new contract at Manchester United to extend his playing career into his 40s.

The veteran Dutch goalkeeper's current deal expires at the end of the season and he has been offered a 12-month extension by the Premier League champions.

Van der Sar has been mulling over his future at Old Trafford following suggestions he would head into retirement in the summer.

However, the 39-year-old has revealed that he is confident he is capable of maintaining his form for another season and is ready to sign fresh terms.

Quoted in the News of the World, he said: "I would like to keep on playing so I have decided to sign another contract.

"The club want me to stay and I'm happy here. My fitness is good and I feel I can carry on playing for United."

The former Ajax and Juventus keeper has endured a stop-start season for United, missing the opening weeks of the campaign with a finger injury.

He was then sidelined by a knee problem before being allowed to return to the Netherlands on compassionate leave following his wife's suspected brain haemorrhage.

"It's been a hard time for all the family and when something like this happens it's a tough situation," he said.

"Luckily I was back in Holland when it happened because I was injured and it meant that I could be with her in hospital.

"It's been a difficult period, but I'm happy things are improving at home."

Source: skysports.com

Some good news to come out of OT for a change.

With Kajer wanting to stay at Palermo and Krasic stating he wants to go to Real possibly don't think United will get these 2 players of interest to them

Krasic ponders summer switch
Serbian international prefers Primera Division move

CSKA Moscow's sought-after winger Milos Krasic will decide his future before the World Cup.

The Serbian international has caught the eye of Europe's elite this season with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, AC Milan,Liverpool and Bayern Munich all tracking the highly-rated 25-year-old.

Krasic's current deal in Russia expires at the end of the season and the attacking midfielder has eyes on a move to Spain after describing Real as the 'biggest club in the world'.

"For now I'm still a CSKA player and I haven't signed for anybody yet," he told Sportski Zurnal. "But I have a lot of interesting options so I will make my mind up before World Cup.
"I would like to travel to South Africa with nothing on my mind.

"Where would I move? Well based on my playing style (and) lifestyle wishes I wouldn't have any problems adapting to life in Spain.

"Real Madrid - it is by far the biggest club in the world and anybody would love to play in the white shirt.

"But also playing for AC Milan and Manchester United would be dreams come true."

source: skysports.com

Kjaer wants Palermo stay
Defender has no intention of fighting for the first-team

Reported Premier League target Simon Kjaer has further rebuffed claims he could be moving to England by saying he is happy to stay at Palermo.

The Danish centre-back is said to have caught the eye of several European clubs, in particular three of the Premier League's 'top four' with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool believed to be tracking the progress of the 20-year-old.

However Kjaer has snubbed a future move away from the Rosanero, despite fellow Serie A club Juventus also showing an interest, saying he is happy to stay put and does not consider himself a "fourth or fifth choice" player.

"Manchester United and Juventus? I'm flattered but I love Palermo," he told Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport.

"Here I'm fine, I like the city, the people, the way in which we live.

"I live in Mondello, the sea is wonderful, my girlfriend would not move from here.

"Also I have no intention of going to a team that consider me the fourth or fifth choice."

source: skysports.com

This is what we need.

Mr Creativity needs to come to Manchester United this summer.

Watching replays of games I've seen that there are only three players in our 1st team squad that actually try to get passed players - Rooney, Valencia and Nani. And the latter is the only person who CAN get passed a player, although this is once in every eight attempts.

Rooney tries but fails.

Valencia boots the ball forward and runs after it.

Nani tries a trick or two and sometimes manages to pull something off. (Although he hardly does this anymore because of constant abuse from the fans and...well, um Rooney.)

I believe we need to buy someone full of confidence, ability, and belief. Like Anderson was when he was at Porto. The short passing moves only works against teams who belive that the will lose the game. When some club comes up against us and really has a go, we end up struggling, and often lose. And when we are losing, there's no body to push us on, even Rooney, who's immaturity shows when he is frustrated.

Take a look at our goal attempts. Anderson and Valencia have the worst shooting techniques I've seen, Rooney longe-range shooting is poor, and Sholes is the only person who tries a spectacular shot.

I think we should get a AM, full of tricks and confidence (and who will not pop off to Madrid after a few good seasons).

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the club's supporters have "a right" to voice their disenchantment with the Glazer family's tenure as owners of the Old Trafford outfit, and believes it proves United have a passionate fan base.

An increasing number of fans are beginning to support the colours of United's formative club Newton Heath, green and gold, in protest at the Glazers, while chief executive David Gill has also felt the wrath of the club's fans as supporters took to his private residence and hung a banner on the CEO's gate bearing a quote of his from 2004.

The banner read: "Debt is the road to ruin".

Prior to United's clash with Everton at Goodison Park this afternoon, Ferguson is reported by Press Association Sport to have said: "The protests are not a concern.
"Fans have a right to complain about whatever they think is right. It shows we have fans who care for the club but we also have to run the club the way we think is right and I think we are doing the right thing.

"The foundation at the club is the same as it has been for the last few years. We have a good youth set up and the first team are doing well. That is what concerns me more than anything.

"When we see fans protesting we understand where it is coming from but we carry on with the football side.

"I have made my point to the supporters," he added. "As long as it doesn't interrupt and interfere with the progress of the team it doesn't matter. They realise that too. They are still supporting the one team.

Source:goal

Speculation over whether Paul will stay after his contract lets up end of the season

Fergie - Scholes should sign
United boss hoping veteran midfielder pens one-year extension

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Paul Scholes can be persuaded to sign a contract extension at Manchester United.

The Red Devils boss feels the veteran midfielder should shelve any thoughts of retirement as his performances of late, including a goalscoring outing against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, prove he is still more than capable of competing at the highest level.

Scholes recently expressed his disappointment with a number of his showings this season, hinting that he may be ready to quit the game.

Ferguson responded by offering the 35-year-old a new one-year deal, as a sign of his continued faith in the former England international.

However, the issue has gone quiet since then and Scholes is set to be out of contract at the end of the season.

United remain keen get their midfield maestro tied down on fresh terms, but accept that he has plenty to consider before putting pen to paper.

Brilliant

Ferguson, though, feels Scholes would be best advised to prolong his distinguished career as he remains a prominent figure in his star-studded squad.

"I would be happy to do something about Scholes' contract but there is nothing yet," said the Scot.

"It depends on what Paul thinks himself and I haven't addressed it with him.

"But he was brilliant in Milan and his form in the last few weeks has been incredible.

"There is no need for him to think of retirement like some people were saying a few weeks ago.

"He is showing on the field what he is capable of and, to me, another year would not be a problem for the lad."

source: skysports.com