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United fill the gaps

SIR Alex Ferguson is ensuring United's backbone has a long-term future with Patrice Evra, Wes Brown and Edwin Van der Sar being lined up for new contracts.

Last week the Reds secured central defender Nemanja Vidic on a new extended deal to keep him at the club until 2012.

Evra signed in the same transfer window as Vidic when he was bought from Monaco for £5m on a deal to 2009.

After a difficult start initially the French left back has also become a successful and popular member of the Reds squad and has even immersed himself in the history of the club by devouring books and DVDs on United's history.

He was brought in after Gabriel Heinze suffered his cruciate knee ligament injury in 2005 and then fought off the Argentinian's challenge. Evra is now going to be rewarded for his form and loyalty.

Wes Brown will reach a decade of senior service for the Reds next year and now appears to have warded off fears about his Old Trafford future.

Having been ousted by Vidic as Rio Ferdinand's regular centre back partner last season Brown was being targeted most keenly by Newcastle United last term and also Middlesbrough and Tottenham.

But the Longsight-born 28-year-old returned to a regular right back spot when Gary Neville injured his ankle ligaments last March and helped see the Reds through to the title.

This term he has continued to successfully deputise for the captain and has also been back in the England squad.

Brown's current deal ends next summer after signing on for four years in November 2004. Now he is set to renew his future and book in to keep himself at the club into his 30s.

Adding further to the deals for United's rearguard is expected to be a new one-year contract for goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar next month or soon into the New Year as his deal ends next summer also.