Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has confirmed goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has agreed a new one-year contract.

The veteran Dutchman has brought some much-needed stability to United's goalkeeping department since his arrival from Fulham in 2005.

Ferguson initially suggested last summer he would offer van der Sar the chance to stay at Old Trafford and, although the 36-year-old has not formally completed all the paperwork yet, the deal has now been done.

"Since Edwin joined us, he has been absolutely fantastic and he more than deserves another year," said Ferguson.

"We treat all players in that age bracket the same in terms of giving them an extra year but that is not to say he cannot go on from there too.

"His personality and experience has helped us tremendously since he has joined us, which is what we needed."