A roundup of today's other soccer stories in brief:

Giggs signs up for another year

RYAN Giggs has signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United.

At the same time Giggs was learning he will face AC Milan in the first knock-out round of the Champions League, United confirmed the 36-year-old will remain at Old Trafford for another season.

Giggs has performed superbly over the last 18 months and his achievements were hailed last week when he was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Van der Sar goes home for treatment

MANCHESTER United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is to travel to the Netherlands for a fresh assessment of his knee injury.

The Dutch international has not played since he collided with Tim Cahill in a match against Everton on November 21st.

“Edwin is going back to the Netherlands,” said manager Alex Ferguson. “It is a change of scenery and the Dutch team doctor will have a look at the injury.”

It was initially thought the injury would only keep the 39-year-old out of action for a couple of games. But there is no immediate prospect of a return for the goalkeeper and Ferguson is keen to explore all options.

It has been a injury-plagued season for van der Sar, who missed the start of the campaign after breaking two bones in his left hand against Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup on August 5th.

Maracana set for €200m make-over

BRAZIL will spend €200 million renovating Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium in preparation for the 2014 World Cup.

The stadium, which was opened for the 1950 World Cup and staged the final, will be closed while the majority of the work is carried out.

Originally built to hold 200,000 fans, the capacity will be reduced from its present 87,000 to 82,000 at world governing body Fifa’s recommendation.

The facade will remain and a roof will be added to the five-storey structure. Work on the stadium will begin in March and it will be closed altogether in August and is expected to be reopened in December 2012.

Rio de Janeiro tourism secretary Marcia Lins said: “It will hold fewer people, but with better quality.”

The renovation includes upgraded changing rooms, a new area for the media, new seats, toilets and restaurants while the northern area of the city has also been earmarked for regeneration.

Agent claims City have moved to install Hiddink

GUUS HIDDINK has been approached by Manchester City, according to the Russia manager’s agent. Cees van Nieuwenhuizen has said he was contacted by City chief executive Garry Cook to request talks with Hiddink, but the former Chelsea boss’ agent politely declined.

“Yes, I did (speak to Cook). But Guus is happy with Russia. Definitely,” Van Nieuwenhuizen said.

Van Nieuwenhuizen is not aware whether Cook wanted to discuss the possibility of Cook succeeding manager Mark Hughes or being installed alongside the Welshman.

“I don’t know because I said it was not worth discussing it because Guus was happy,” he said. “I had a call because I have been working with Garry for 12 years since we worked together at Nike.

“He (Cook) asked me if it would be worthwhile having a meeting to discuss the future and what might happen next summer. But I told him that Guus was contracted to Russia.

“I said I didn’t think it was worth having a meeting.”

Everton complete Donovan deal

EVERTON have confirmed the signing of United States striker Landon Donovan on a short-term loan deal.

Donovan will join the Merseyside club in the January transfer window having been granted permission by Los Angeles Galaxy.

The 27-year-old will increase manager David Moyes’s selection options during a season which has seen the Merseysiders hampered by injuries throughout the season.

Moyes said: “Landon Donovan will join Everton. It is all agreed and done now and hopefully he will be with us on January 1st or 2nd.

“Hopefully he is the first of two or three we want to bring in in January. We need to strengthen our squad to make sure we are not in a situation like we have at the moment with so many injuries. Landon will certainly add pace, he is a good finisher.

“He was voted best player, yet again, in the American league and is captain of the USA national team.

“I need players who can hit the ground running, who I think can go into the team quite quickly.”