Manchester United midfield duo Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher have signed extensions to their contracts. Scholes's deal keeps the 33-year-old at the club until 2010 while Fletcher, 23, has committed himself to another three years until 2012.
"Paul is proof that if you look after yourself you can carry on playing and be rewarded at a club of this size," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. "He's been here since he was 14. That tells you his desire and ability."
Scholes, who turns 34 in November, has just been ruled out for 10 weeks after suffering knee ligament damage in United's Champions League win over Danish side AaB. The former England international has made 576 appearances for the Old Trafford club since making his debut in September 1994.
He suffered a career-threatening eye injury which kept him sidelined for most of the 2005/6 season, but returned to play a central role in United's Premier League title wins in 2007 and 2008, as well as last season's Champions League triumph. "It's great to sign a new deal, last season was fantastic but you always want to achieve more and with this team we are capable of doing just that," Scholes told United's official website.
Like Scholes, Fletcher is a one-club man. Although he has rarely been a member of Ferguson's first-choice side, he is an invaluable figure in the United squad. Denied his debut as a 16-year-old because he was still at school, Fletcher was heavily linked with a move to Birmingham last season, where he could have joined old Scotland boss Alex McLeish.
However, the 24-year-old making his debut in March 2003 at the age of 19 chose to stay at Old Trafford, where his value was emphasised at the start of this season when he scored against Newcastle before getting the vital winner at Portsmouth.
"Darren is in the same vein as Paul, Ryan Giggs and Wes Brown in that he is a long-serving member of the team," said Ferguson. "His consistency and level-headed approach is a great attribute and we are all delighted he has signed a new contract."
Fletcher added: "When you play at such a great club with a great team you always want to be a part of that. "The spirit here is amazing and I am happy that I can play my part in achieving more success."
Scholes (sitting 2nd from right) has been at United since he was 14.
DB is 2nd from the left right?
And who is the one sitting beside scholes!? On his right... look so kuku.
Scholes just better recover fast.... im sure his playing days are numbered.
its amazing....
Originally posted by sand king:DB is 2nd from the left right?
And who is the one sitting beside scholes!? On his right... look so kuku.
Scholes just better recover fast.... im sure his playing days are numbered.
Yeah thats Beckham... and standing behind him is Gary Neville and next to Beck (1st one from the left) is... ? You know who?
Originally posted by zocoss:
Yeah thats Beckham... and standing behind him is Gary Neville and next to Beck (1st one from the left) is... ? You know who?
Who??????
Haha only schole's and DB's face nvr change... i can't recognize Gaz Nev!
Originally posted by zocoss:
Yeah thats Beckham... and standing behind him is Gary Neville and next to Beck (1st one from the left) is... ? You know who?
no idea =/ and who's sitting to the right of Beckham?
congratz
Clue... A former Blackburn Rovers player...
robbie savage?
Mark Hughes??????????
Keith Gillespie ???????????????
Originally posted by KaurexO_o:
no idea =/ and who's sitting to the right of Beckham?
ITS BEAVIS!!!!!!!!
Originally posted by Shiqi:robbie savage?
Yeah correct, its Savage...
Gillespie is on schole's left..
giggsy
Originally posted by Master -_-:Gillespie is on schole's left..
giggsy
who is on schole's right?
Originally posted by zocoss:
Yeah correct, its Savage...
Raphael Burke, Gary Neville, Simon Davis, John O'Kane, Andy Noone, Nicky Butt, Ben Thornley.
Front row: Robbie Savage, David Beckham, George Switzer, Keith Gillespie, Paul Scholes, Chris Casper