Sir Alex rolls on at United

Dominant force
The longest-serving manager in the Premiership, Sir Alex has been at the helm of the English champions since 1986. The 62-year-old has turned United into the dominant force domestically, guiding the club to eight championships, four FA Cups and one League Cup, while also lifting the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1990/91 and UEFA Champions League in 1998/99.

'Fantastic record'
The new contract will start from 30 June 2005 when Sir Alex's previous deal, signed in 2002, runs out. United's chief executive, David Gill, said the contract reflected the club's "total confidence" in the Scot and reduced speculation about his retirement. "His fantastic record speaks for itself and his appetite for the game and his desire to build a new generation of world-class players at Old Trafford is undiminished," Gill said in a statement.

Aiming for honours
Sir Alex said of his new contract: "It gives me a strong focus on the short-term challenges in the season ahead as well as the long-term freedom to look to improve our current squad and to win trophies both domestically and in Europe." In February 2002 Ferguson rescinded an earlier decision to retire and subsequently signed a new deal.