SCHOLES, IRWIN AND BUTT PEN NEW DEALS
David Beckham remains the only big-name player at Manchester United yet to agree a new contract after Paul Scholes, Denis Irwin and Nicky Butt today became the latest players to commit their futures to Old Trafford by putting pen to paper on new deals.
Scholes has agreed a six-year deal, which will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2007, while Butt has put pen to paper on a five-year agreement, which lasts until June 2006. Butt's new deal ends speculation that he could be leaving United because of the imminent arrival of Juan Veron from Lazio.

Butt said: ``I'm delighted. I have been at the club over 10 years and have grown very fond of the club and the fans.''

The pair's wages will have doubled and Scholes said: ``I'm really pleased. I have had a fantastic time here and I'm looking forward to new challenges and trophies.''

Butt and Scholes follow Andy Cole, Jaap Stam, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Gary Neville and Phil Neville in agreeing new deals and manager Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with the news.

``I'm delighted they have agreed new contracts,'' he said. ``It's great news for the club and for the fans. They have grown up at United and that is shown in their outstanding play and commitment to the club.''

United chief executive Peter Kenyon claimed Butt and Scholes had been a key part behind the Reds' success story of recent years and he hopes they can continue to help the team win trophies.

``The club is extremely pleased to have reached agreements with Paul and Nicky,'' he said. ``They have been an integral part of Manchester United's success over the last 10 years and we look forward to emulating this in the future.''

Butt and Scholes' new deals mean Beckham is the only big-name remaining at Old Trafford yet to commit his future to the Reds. Beckham's representatives, SFX, held contracts with Kenyon this week and the champions are confident he, too, will sign a new agreement before the beginning of the new season.

Veteran defender Denis Irwin has also signed a new one-year contract after speculation linking him to both Coventry and Watford in recent weeks. Irwin, whose previous 12-month agreement had ended last Saturday, joined United in 1990 and is the club's longest-serving player.

The Irishman has agreed to stay for another year. United's director of communications Paddy Harverson said: ''We are delighted that Denis has agreed to another year's contract.''