Great news: the Rage On Sponsored Chris Hackett has eventually signed a new contract for United that will keep the flying winger at the KasStad for the next two seasons. Hackett has been at United since he was nine years old, and the former Oxfordshire sprint champion can scare defences witless with his blistering pace. He’d be even more impressive if he sometimes remembered to take the ball with him. However, Chrissy is aware of his own limitations, claiming that he has a lot to learn and that Graham Rix is the man to teach him. Good stuff. Rage On has already confirmed that we will again be sponsoring the future England star next season.

Bad news: Dean Whitehead has confirmed in writing that he will not be signing the new improved contract that United have offered him. Instead Deano, United’s Supporters Player of the Season for last season, looks almost certain to sign a three-year contract with wannabe big club Sunderland. How Deano will cope with the Mackem accent is a big question, but he will be playing alongside some pretty good players, and Julio Arca.

Reports in the Oxford Mail suggest that Rix is looking to sign Mansfield, and former Rotherham and Shrewsbury, central defender Dave Artell. Although he doesn’t have a great record, Artell is only 24 and did win promotion with Rotherham three seasons ago. Artell has been offered a new contract by the Stags, but the Mail hints that he is more likely to accept the Oxford offer (obviously). More exciting is the possibility that Phil Gilchrist might return to Oxford. Rix has held talks with the former United defender, now 31, who has played in the Premiership with both Leicester and West Brom, although it is unlikely that United will be able to accept Gilly’s quite large wage claims. But you never know…