Manchester United have opened talks over a new contract for Patrice Evra.
The France international has been a revelation over the past season-and-a-half after a difficult first six months following £5million his arrival from Monaco.
Although he was overlooked for last year's FA Cup final, Sir Alex Ferguson viewed Evra as his first-choice left-back, hastening the acrimonious exit of Gabriel Heinze during the summer.
Having tied up keeper Edwin van der Sar for an extra year and granted Nemanja Vidic, who arrived in January 2005 with Evra, an extension which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012, United have now turned their attentions to the full-back, with Ferguson confirming chief executive David Gill had made the first contact.
"David spoke to Patrice's agents, so he will probably fix up a meeting with them," he said.
Given the enthusiasm he has shown for life with United, discussions are unlikely to take long and it is anticipated Evra will end up committing himself to United for a similar period to Vidic.
Ferguson had previously claimed the left-back area was the one position where he lacks cover.
However, John O'Shea, expected to fill the right-back berth against Newcastle this evening in the absence of suspended Wes Brown, has previously occupied the role with some success.
And, with captain Gary Neville stepping up his comeback fight from a long-term ankle problem with a reserve team outing against Everton last Wednesday, Ferguson seems unlikely to venture into the January transfer market, even though Brown, whose present deal expires in the summer, is still refusing to sign the 'take-it-or-leave-it' offer made by United before Christmas.
Source : www.sportinglife.com
