News:John O'Shea has signed a three-year contract extension at Manchester United.
The Republic of Ireland international recently confirmed he was in advanced talks over a new deal which would see him remain at his only professional club.
Old Trafford officials have now confirmed the 26-year-old will remain at United until 2012.
"John has developed in his years here and is now regarded as one of the more experienced players," said United boss sir Alex Ferguson. "He has proved through his personality and professionalism he is an outstanding credit to the club and I am delighted he has signed a new contract."
Although the Waterford-born player has rarely been a regular member of what would constitute Ferguson's first-choice side, he has nevertheless proved to be an integral part of the squad.
At either centre half, full back or in central midfield, O'Shea has rarely let Ferguson down. He has played well over 250 games for United and his late goals against Liverpool and Everton on Merseyside last season were viewed as major factors in the club's Premier League title success.
With Nemanja Vidic also recently signing a new deal and contracts in the offing for Patrice Evra and Wes Brown, when Ferguson celebrates his 66th birthday on New Year's Eve it is clear he is building for the future. And O'Shea is delighted to be part of it.
"I am extending my contract with the champions," said O'Shea. "I have been at the club since the age of 17 and it is a dream come true to play for such a great club. I hope to play my part in bringing more trophies to the club and to continuing the success with this young, exciting team. I would like to thank the boss, the staff and the fans for their continued support."
Meanwhile, Wigan have confirmed Steve Bruce will take over as their new manager on Monday.
He has been ruled out of taking charge of Wigan for today's trip to Arsenal due to a lack of time to prepare the squad. Last Monday Wigan chairman Dave Whelan confirmed Bruce was to join the club after opting to leave Birmingham. But a hitch in his departure from St Andrews meant it was not until yesterday that the move could be confirmed.
The delay in Bruce's appointment was rumoured to be down to a £225,000 payment Birmingham claimed they were owed for image rights. That was never confirmed by either party but whatever the problem was it has seemingly now been resolved, with Birmingham set to receive up to £3 million in compensation from Wigan.
Caretaker manager Frank Barlow will take charge of Wigan at the Emirates as they look to end a run of seven straight defeats in the league - a streak which has seen them plummet to second bottom in the table.
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has signed a new contract which will keep him at Ewood Park until June 2010. The former Wales coach has impressed since taking over at Rovers in September 2004 and has been rewarded with an extended deal which will be followed by a 12-month rolling agreement.
Emmet Malone adds: Bohemians have confirmed that Derry City defender Ken Oman is to return to the club after two years at the Brandywell. The 25-year-old followed Stephen Kenny north in early 2006 but after an outstanding season he has been much sought after in recent weeks. Sean Connor, though, has secured the centre half's signature while also wrapping up a new two-year deal for goalkeeper Brian Murphy whose remarkable run of clean sheets at the start of this season prompted speculation that he would return to Britain.
