Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has extended his contract at Old Trafford until 2008.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told his club’s official website: “I am delighted that Ole has signed a new two year deal. It reflects our hope that he would return to full play after his recent cheek injury.

“Ole has always adopted a positive position in that respect and his positive attitude gave him a big chance to come back. It will take Ole to thirty five and gives him the opportunity to develop his coaching experience.

“We also foresee him having a key role as an ambassador for the Club in the future.”

Solskjaer added: “I have always felt at home here and I want to repay the loyalty that has been shown to me by the club, the fans and Sir Alex.

“It has been a difficult and frustrating few years for me but I’m determined to prove my worth over the next few years and I am sure I can contribute to the team and their success. Although my priority is to keep playing I am looking forward to exploring the coaching opportunity being given to me by the club.

“I have spent many happy years at Old Trafford and it will be a great privilege to represent the Club in a wider role.”

AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko has denied that he’s set to join Chelsea in the summer.

Shevchenko told ANSA: “I don’t know of any offer and I am calm. I don’t need to deny anything, it is all clear. It is just that others keep talking about this story.”

He added: “I’d like to thank the English journalists because this way maybe Milan will call me and extend my contract.”

Manchester City ‘keeper Nicky Weaver is set to extend his contract for another season.

Weaver told his club’s official website: “This will be my tenth year at City and I will be coming back next pre-season hoping to put a real challenge to David James. Since he has been at this club this is the longest run I have had being fully fit.

“I still believe I am young enough to have a future here and, as far as I am concerned, I am signing to battle Jamo.”

He added: “People who think I have taken an easy option to sit on the bench for a year are severely mistaken.

“All professional footballers want to play and so do I – for Manchester City. I suppose I could have gone somewhere else and played first-team football, but I genuinely feel I am in good enough shape for the first time to put real pressure on Jamo for the starting role.”

Maccabi Haifa winger Idan Tal has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Bolton Wanderers on a four-year deal in the summer.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce told his club’s official website: “Idan will add extra attacking flair to a midfield that already contains quality.

“He reminds me of West Ham’s Yossi Benayoun, and if he makes a similar impact on the Premier League as Benayoun and our own Tal Ben Haim have then we will have some player at our disposal.”