Neville set for new Man Utd deal

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says veteran defender Gary Neville and midfielder Ji-sung Park are both set for new contracts at the club.

Neville, 33, is back in action after almost 18 months out with a broken ankle and various muscle ailments.

"I have not spoken to (chief executive) David Gill about it but I'm sure there will be another contract because Gary's been back to his best," said Ferguson.

"He is looking really good now and the experience he has is important to us."

Although the emergence of exciting Brazilian teenager Rafael means Neville can no longer be regarded as an automatic first-choice right-back, Ferguson is keen to keep the lifelong United fan at the club.

Neville has made more than 370 appearances for the club since making his debut back in 1995, while he also won 95 England caps.

Park, 27, missed out on a place in the squad for last season's Champions League final win, but has forced his way into Ferguson's side on a regular basis this season.

However, the South Korean recently claimed nobody at the club had approached him about his contract that expires in 18 months.

Ferguson mistakenly thought Park had recently agreed an extension but, like Neville, insists the former PSV Eindhoven player will get a new deal when the time is right.

"It is not on the radar screen but he will be offered a contract," said Ferguson. "Ji has been fantastic for us and is one of our most consistent players."

However, talks over Carlos Tevez's permanent deal are set to continue. Tevez joined United on a two-year loan that is due to expire in the summer.

It is thought the contract stipulates the sum United must pay the Argentina forward's advisers to buy him outright, but so far there has been no agreement although Tevez has consistently declared his desire to remain at Old Trafford.

However, reports of talks re-opening between the 24-year-old's agent Kia Joorabchian and Gill are news to Ferguson.

The Scot confirmed United have attempted to instigate negotiations aimed at bringing forward a self-imposed deadline of next May, but so far it seems the Red Devils have met with little success.

"I have no idea about Tevez," said Ferguson. "The contract is due to be the end of the season anyway but obviously we tried to bring it forward and we will keep trying to do that.

"But it is difficult with agents sometimes. All the managers signing players this January will experience that."