Van der Sar signs new contract at Manchester United

(GETTY IMAGES)

Edwin van der Sar a has agreed a new one-year contract extension with Manchester United.

The veteran Dutchman has excelled since his arrival from Fulham three seasons ago and put an end to the constant criticism of United's goalkeepers.

And Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Van der Sar will remain at Old Trafford until 2010 before giving way to Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak.

"We have agreed a new one-year contract with Edwin," said Ferguson.

"His experience, temperament, professionalism and performance level have not changed one bit since he has been with us.

"Obviously, it will be his last year. He will be almost 40 then, which is a great credit to the lad.

"He has been absolutely marvellous here."

Van der Sar has collected two Premier League titles with the Red Devils and also saved Nicolas Anelka's penalty to give Ferguson's men their Champions League shoot-out triumph over Chelsea in Moscow.

He retired from international duty with Holland at the end of Euro 2008, although he has since returned on a one-off basis to help out during October's World Cup qualifiers due to injury.

A European Cup winner in his youth with Ajax, Van der Sar also had a couple of years with Juventus when Ferguson did not move fast enough after highlighting him as a replacement for Peter Schmeichel in 1999.

Van der Sar's vast experience makes him the ideal man to help develop Foster and Kuszczak, both of whom have been given sporadic opportunities this term without laying claim to the number one jersey on a permanent basis.

"What he has done really well for us over the last couple of years is help to develop the younger goalkeepers," said Ferguson.

"We are using Ben and Tomasz quite a bit now, which allows us to freshen Edwin up for the really important games.

"Edwin has bought in to that very well. He understands the situation completely. He is playing a great part in ensuring the big picture is there for us with Ben and Tomasz."