Rio Ferdinand indicated Monday he wants to sign another contract with English champions Manchester United. The 34-year-old centre-back collected his sixth Premier League winners' medal on Sunday after scoring the goal that secured a 2-1 victory over Swansea at Old Trafford in United manager Alex Ferguson's final home game in charge before retirement. Ferdinand's goal, his first in over five years, came with his current contract about to expire but he said Monday he wanted to stay at Old Trafford. "Manchester United has a bright future," Ferdinand told MUTV on Monday.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has insisted long-time rival Alex Ferguson's decision to retire as Manchester United manager was no surprise to him. Ferguson, 71, announced last week he would retire at the end of this season after more than 26 years, and 38 trophies won, at Old Trafford. He bows out with United having regained the Premier League title and will be succeeded after the end of the current campaign by David Moyes, presently manager of Everton.

Alex Ferguson thanked Manchester United's supporters and urged them to stand behind his successor, David Moyes, after an emotional final home game as manager at Old Trafford on Sunday. Ferguson, who announced his shock retirement earlier this week, addressed supporters directly during an unscripted on-pitch speech after a 2-1 win over Swansea City closed his 26-year association with the Old Trafford dug-out.

Crystal Palace's hopes of promotion to the Premier League suffered a setback on Friday as Brighton held on for a 0-0 draw in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Selhurst Park. Ian Holloway's side recovered from a poor first half to dominate in the second period, but the Eagles couldn't break the deadlock in a hard-fought clash between two fierce rivals.