Scholes Not Finished Yet

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes says he has no plans to slip into retirement any time soon, despite approaching his 36th birthday.

The Old Trafford stalwart has been in sparkling form at the start of the new season, illuminating both the Community Shield and United's Premier League opener against Newcastle.

The legs may not allow him to motor up and down the field like he did in his heyday, but his football brain remains as sharp as ever.

His ability to find space and pick out a killer pass mark him out from his contemporaries and suggest he could go on for many years yet.

Scholes, who will turn 36 in November, admits he feels as fresh as ever and insists he will carry on playing for as long as he feels he can do himself and his club justice.

"I haven't set any limits," said Scholes after his starring role in Monday's 3-0 demolition of Newcastle.

"I'll just keep going, hopefully keep playing well and getting in the team and just see where it goes from there.

"It depends on performances and how you play. I did go through last season thinking this might be the last time I played against this team or stuff like that. But I just don't know. My performances will decide when I finish.

"At 35 I thought that would be it. From being young and first getting into the squad, you just presume everyone will finish at 35 and that's it. Whatever you do after that is a bonus.

"At the end of last season I felt okay and hopefully this season I will do as well."

Scholes made his United debut way back in 1994 and has gone on to make almost 650 first-team appearances for the club in all competitions.

During an illustrious career with the Red Devils he has won nine Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups, two UEFA Champions League crowns, the Intercontinental Cup and the Fifa World Club Cup.

He has also represented England on 66 occasions and was approached by Fabio Capello this summer to step out of international retirement and re-join the squad for the 2010 World Cup.