Van der Sar signs one-year deal

Van der Sar joined from Fulham in June 2005

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has signed a new one-year contract extension, tying him to the club until the end of the 2009 season.

The 37-year-old had been considering retirement at the end of this season.

"He is number one at the moment, but you can't guarantee players a position and say they'll definitely be in your team," said boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Edwin will want to be number one next season but Ben Foster will be back and I am sure he will want to be too."

England international Foster is currently sidelined after cruciate knee ligament surgery.

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There were suggestions Van der Sar could be handed a role on the Old Trafford backroom staff as goalkeeping coach Tony Coton is currently sidelined following a recent knee operation.

But Ferguson stressed the Dutchman's new deal was "totally as a player".