Manchester United Defender To Make U Turn and Sign New Contract

Manchester United defender Alexander Buttner has made a dramatic U-turn on his future at the club after holding talks with manager David Moyes and is now poised to sign a new contract at Old Trafford.

During the club's persistent pursuit of Everton full back Leighton Baines, Buttner's role at the club fell into even further doubt; a cause for concern with a role in Lois Van Gaal's Holland squad for next summer's World Cup at the back of the Dutchman's mind.

The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Turkish outfit Besiktas throughout August and was subject to a bid from Celtic in the last days of the transfer window.

But after being given a space in United's 25-man Champions League squad, Buttner has revealed he held talks with his manager this week, during which his fears over a lack of opportunities were eased with an improved contract also in the offing.

"On Wednesday I had a good talk with Moyes. He told me that I had come far enough to play for Manchester United this season," Buttner, whose current deal expires in 2017, told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

""He absolutely wanted me. I am a fully-fledged United player for him.

"Last season obviously turned out to be a good one for me. And that was noticed by the club as well. That they want to talk about my contract is an appreciation of me."

Buttner, signed from Vitesse Arnhem for a fee in the region of £4m last summer, got his United career off to an exhilarating start with a goal and an assist on his debut against Wigan Athletic last season. However, he would only make four more appearances in the Premier League, collecting a handful of further appearances in cup competitions and low key Champions League fixtures.

The 24-year-old could add to those numbers after United failed to bring in another full back this summer.

After three failed bids for Baines, the Premier League champions turned their attention to Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao and had appeared to have struck a last minute loan deal with the Spanish club.

However, Carlo Ancelotti's side pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute as the move collapsed, leaving Moyes with left back options of Buttner, Patrice Evra and Fabio da Silva until at least January.