Evra is part of the France squad at Euro 2008

Defender Patrice Evra has signed a contract extension with Manchester United which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.

The France international signed from Monaco in 2006 and has been a key figure in United's success this season.

He follows Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick, who have all signed new deals.

"Patrice has been a key part of the club's success in the last two seasons," said boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He has developed into one of the best full-backs in world football and his infectious personality has helped to build the incredible team spirit that exists at Old Trafford."

Evra is part of France's squad at Euro 2008, although he did not feature in the 0-0 draw with Romania, Barcelona's Eric Abidal being preferred at left-back.

The 27-year-old initially struggled to make an impression at Old Trafford when he arrived for £4m from the south of France, with Gabriel Heinze first choice in his position.

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"The last two-and-a-half seasons have been the start of a dream for me," said Evra.

"It is a pleasure and an honour to be part of this fantastic side and to be coached by Sir Alex Ferguson and his staff.

It is a privilege to play in front of our fantastic fans Patrice Evra

"I declared when arrived that I was coming here not just to play but to win and United is the ideal place to realise such a dream.

"It is a privilege to play in front of our fantastic fans and I am sure that the success we have earned in the last two seasons confirms the history of this club and will be the start of something even more special."

Real Madrid have been heavily linked with Ronaldo

Fifa will take no formal action against Real Madrid over Manchester United's complaint about their public pursuit of Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

United lodged a protest to world football's governing body in May over what they believed was a deliberate attempt by Real to unsettle the player.

But Real president Ramon Calderon said United "had no evidence" for the claim.

"From the documentation received, no breach of contract appears to have occurred yet," said Fifa in statement.

"Therefore, in accordance with the applicable practice, no kind of formal procedure has been opened by Fifa regarding this matter," the statement continued.

However Fifa did ask the Spanish Football Federation to "remind Real Madrid about the potential legal consequences of a breach of contract without just cause".

The news will come as a disappointment to United who objected to a number of public statements by the Spanish club.

Real have made clear their admiration of 23-year-old Ronaldo but they have been careful to acknowledge that he is still under contract in Manchester.

Article 18 of Fifa's regulations states one club has to inform another in writing if they are to start negotiations.

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However, the rules do not specifically state that the club that owns the player has to give consent.

United's initial complaint said: "On 27 May, United made clear its intention to report Real Madrid if it continued to involve itself in the future of Ronaldo.

"Unfortunately, Real Madrid has not kept its own counsel."

Real coach Bernd Schuster claimed Ronaldo was their main summer transfer target, triggering United's initial threat of a complaint, while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has accused the Spanish club of a "lack of morals" for allegedly unsettling the player.

At the start of June, Ronaldo reported told Brazilia website Terra he wanted to play at Madrid, "but only if it's true they are ready to pay what Manchester United ask of them".

In response Calderon told Spanish newspaper AS: "For Madrid it is an honour to know that a player like him thinks that playing at Real would be good. We are proud to know that he would like to be with us."

Ronaldo, currently with Portugal at Euro 2008, has said he will not speak about the subject again before the end of the tournament but he did say he had yet to decide about his future.

Despite being under contract at Old Trafford until 2012, Ronaldo has refused to state publicly and unequivocally his future lies with United.