The Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has signed a one-year contract extension. Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the Dutchman will remain at Old Trafford until 2010 before giving way to Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak, his current deputies.

"We have agreed a new one-year contract with Edwin," said Ferguson. "His experience, temperament, professionalism and performance level have not changed one bit since he has been with us. Obviously, it will be his last year. He will be almost 40 then, which is a great credit to the lad. He has been absolutely marvellous here."

Van der Sar, 38, joined United from Fulham in June 2005. He has won two Premier League titles with United and saved Nicolas Anelka's penalty to give Ferguson's men victory in a penalty shoot-out against Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow in May. He retired from international football at the end of Euro 2008, although he has since returned, on a one-off basis due to injury, to help out during October's World Cup qualifiers.

A European Cup winner with Ajax in 1995, Van der Sar also played for Juventus after Ferguson, who saw him as a replacement for Peter Schmeichel, could not secure his signature in 1999. Van der Sar's vast experience makes him the ideal man to help develop Foster and Kuszczak, both of whom have been given opportunities this term without laying claim to the No1 jersey on a permanent basis.

"What he has done really well for us over the last couple of years is help to develop the younger goalkeepers," said Ferguson. "We are using Ben and Tomasz quite a bit now, which allows us to freshen Edwin up for the really important games. Edwin has bought into that very well. He understands the situation completely. He is playing a great part in ensuring the big picture is there for us with Ben and Tomasz."