Manchester United have opened talks over a new contract for defender Patrice Evra.

The France international has been a revelation over the past season-and-a-half after a difficult first six months following his £5million arrival at Old Trafford from Monaco.

Although he was overlooked for last year's FA Cup final, Alex Ferguson viewed Evra as his first-choice leftback, 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 fullback, 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 leftback area was the one position where he lacks cover.

However, John O'Shea, expected to fill the rightback 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.