Manchester United are set to hand Rio Ferdinand a new contract. The veteran defender has been a colossus in United's title challenge this season.

The Sun says Ferdinand's current deal is worth £120,000 a week but the 33-year-old's new one may include a reduced basic with bonuses for playing.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Rio's still young for a centre-back. I think it's all down to how he feels physically and what he is doing at the moment is good. He has no issues at all.

"I think from time to time he gets the odd tweak in his back and we have to manage it and look after it.

"He's adapting really well to the challenge of making sure he is fit and fresh to play in the games where we need him."