Fergie puts his faith in Fortune

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes South African international Quinton Fortune will become a key figure at Old Trafford next season and beyond.

The 25-year-old midfielder has signed a new three-year contract with the newly-crowned Barclaycard Premiership champions.

Fortune, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid for £1.5m (€2m) in August 1999, has only made 15 appearances for United this season after breaking his leg against Liverpool.

Ferguson has been impressed with the way he has fought back.

“We’re delighted Quinton has agreed a new deal, “ said the United boss. “He’s been improving every year since he joined us.

“He has shown great character to come back from his various injury problems.

“He has hopefully overcome them now and he’s doing really well and we look forward to him making a great contribution to the team in the next three years.”

Fortune left home at the age of 14 to try his luck abroad and after failing to secure a deal at Tottenham, where he played as a junior, he moved to Atletico Madrid.

It was while playing for their B team he was given his international debut against Kenya in September 1996.

Fortune arrived in Manchester a year after making three appearances for South Africa in the 1998 World Cup in France.

He has flitted in and out of the United side but now intends to push on and stake a claim for a regular place after agreeing a deal that takes him up to June 2006.

Fortune said: “The beginning of the season was a nightmare for me. I had so many injuries.

“It was the last season of my contract and I wanted to play as much as possible.

“I am really pleased to have signed a new contract.

“To be offered a new three-year deal is fantastic and I’m happy to be here at Manchester United. I can’t wait for the new season to start.”