The Barclays Premier League title is almost within touching distance for Manchester United and the sense of satisfaction around Old Trafford will increase with the news that Rio Ferdinand has reached a provisional agreement over a new five-year contract that will keep him at the club beyond his 33rd birthday.
There had been apprehension among the United hierarchy when Pini Zahavi, Ferdinand's agent, said that he wished to wait until the summer before discussing an extension to the England defender's contract, which expires in just over 12 months. But Ferdinand, having decided to commit his future to United, was eager to bring talks forward and, after conversations between Zahavi and David Gill, the club's chief executive, a deal has been agreed in principle and will be signed shortly, according to sources.
Contrary to reports, United are not in negotiations with Cristiano Ronaldo over a new contract, the Portugal winger having signed a £120,000-a-week deal last April to keep him at Old Trafford until 2012, but a new agreement with Ferdinand has long been a top priority. It is not yet clear whether United have agreed to increase Ferdinand's salary, which is just over £100,000 a week, but the new contract will delight Sir Alex Ferguson, who had feared that the defender might be tempted to move overseas.
Negotiations over his previous contract took 16 months - involving considerable angst and, at one point, the arrival of a gang of balaclava-clad United fans on the player's doorstep, telling him to “sign or else” - but this has been a remarkably swift process, reflecting Ferdinand's increased sense of belonging at Old Trafford.
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Ferdinand, 29, has enjoyed an outstanding season, emerging as the leading candidate to succeed Gary Neville as captain and impressing Fabio Capello, the England manager, who is considering him as an alternative to John Terry and Steven Gerrard as captain of the national team. He performed well again in front of Capello on Sunday as United beat Arsenal 2-1, but the result, which brought a second successive league title ever closer, left Ferdinand happiest.
“It was a massive result to get three points against one of the teams vying for the title,” Ferdinand said. “It's the crunch stage of the season. The trophies are being handed out soon and the three points gets us a step closer to being able to pick up one. Fingers crossed we keep motoring on. We showed the confidence and resilience that has been a trademark of ours for the last couple of years. Long may it continue.”
Irrespective of Chelsea's result against Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge last night, United know that beating Arsenal meant that victories in their next two matches - away to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and, more dauntingly, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge seven days later - would all but guarantee the title, but Ferdinand will not allow his team-mates to get carried away. “We have to make sure we get the results and hopefully by the end of the season we'll be the team picking up something,” he said.
Ferdinand will be happier still at the thought of being reunited with Nemanja Vidic, his central defensive partner, against Blackburn at Ewood Park. United have battled through the past three matches without him, but Ferguson hopes to have the Serbia defender back in full training over the next day or two.
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