Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he is close to agreeing a new contract with the club.
The Scot shelved plans to retire last year and United are hoping he will put pen to paper on a new deal which will take him past the age of 65.
Ferguson turns 63 on 31 December 2003.
Ferguson's decision to sue John Magnier, one of United's shareholders, for alleged unpaid earnings from racehorse Rock of Gibraltar, appeared to have put a new deal in jeopardy.
But the Scot was in a confident mood on Monday.
"We are not far away, are we?" Ferguson asked chief executive David Gill at a press conference to announce United's new sponsorship deal with Vodafone.
Gill added: "Neither party has set a deadline date, that is something suggested by you gentlemen - the press.
"We're working on it and both parties want it to happen and it will happen. Discussions are progressing very satisfactorily."
MMIX
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