Leon Osman has signed a four year contract, committing his future to the club, whilst Gary Naysmith and Kevin Kilbane have also agreed new deals.
Alessandro Pistone, Alan Stubbs and Steve Watson however look likely to move on after all three failed to reach new agreements with the club.
The move eases the pressure on David Moyes' summer transfer deals, and the reduction in Ferguson's wages takes the pressure off our books as well. The hunt will now be on for a centre back to replace Stubbs, and probably a new left back as well.