In a surprise move, Manchester United have re-signed midfielder Paul Scholes until the summer.

The 37-year-old former England international retired at the end of last season to become a coach at the Old Trafford club.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told his club’s official website: “It’s fantastic that Paul has made this decision. It’s always sad to see great players end their careers, but especially so when they do it early.

“But he has kept himself in great shape and I always felt that he had another season in him. It’s terrific to have him back.”

Scholes added: “I’ve been pretty clear since I stopped playing that I miss it. I’m delighted the manager feels I can still make a contribution to the team and I’m looking forward to playing my part in trying to bring more success to this great club.”

Newcastle United have swooped to sign Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan on a five-year contract. No fee has been disclosed.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew told his club’s official website: “Gabriel is a player I’ve watched for the last couple of seasons since he arrived at Manchester United.

“He has great pace and excellent technique and he has improved his power in the last 12 months and is ready now to make a real impact in the Premier League.

“I contacted [United manager] Sir Alex [Ferguson] about him early at the start of the summer to see if there was an opportunity to bring him to Newcastle, but it wasn’t until Wayne Routledge joined Swansea that we were able to bring him in.

“His best years are ahead of him which is exactly what we want at this club, and with the backing of our magnificent fans I’m sure he will prove an excellent signing for us.”

Obertan added: “I spoke with some of my friends and Newcastle is a big club with history in England, so it’s a great move.

“I’m just really happy to be here because this is still a big club for me.

“It wasn’t really a difficult decision to come here.

“I spent two good years in Manchester but it was a bit difficult with the competition and I really needed a club where I could play more games.

“I know it won’t be easy to play each game here, because there’s a good group, but I want a fresh start in my football.”

Sunderland have taken defender Wes Brown from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old centre-half has committed his future to the Premiership club for the next four years.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce told his club’s official website: “We are delighted to welcome a player of Wes’ ability, experience and character to the club.

“He has been a fantastic professional for Manchester United through the years and not only will he strengthen our defensive options, he will also bring with him a winning mentality and level of maturity which can only be positive for the players around him.”

Brown added: “Making the move has been alright. I’m a bit older I’ve not really had many problems in that sense.

“It was disappointing that I didn’t really play that much at Manchester United over the last couple of seasons so just to know that I’ll be back playing will be great.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

Sunderland have raided Manchester United for a second time this week by signing defender/midfielder John O’Shea for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old Irish international, who signed a contract until 2015, follows United team-mate Wes Brown to the Stadium of Light.

O’Shea told his new club’s official website: “I was at Manchester United for 13 years and they were 13 fantastic years.

“But this is a nice new exciting chapter for me now and hopefully we can have good times with Sunderland like I had at Manchester United.

“When I spoke to Steve [Bruce], the [Sunderland] manager, and heard his ideas and the ambition he has shown this summer in the players he is signing and the improvements he wants to make at the club and the strides he wants to make to go forward, I am just looking forward to being a part of it now.”

He added: “I am coming to Sunderland now after one of their most successful seasons in the Premier League.

“It’s always the aim with every team is to improve on the season before.

“That’s what, I am sure, the manager will be drilling into us in pre-season, that we want to improve on the season before, and if we can do that, I’m sure the club and the fans will be delighted.”