Scholes To Stay At United Next Term

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Paul Scholes will remain at Manchester United even if he does decide to retire at the end of the season.

The veteran midfielder has been sidelined through injury and has still to make a firm decision over whether to play on in 2013/2014. After coming out of retirement last season to prove he still had plenty to offer on the field, there is no rush to hang up his boots again.

The boss was asked if the fact that the ex-England international did not celebrate with the rest of the squad on the pitch after the win against Aston Villa was a pointer to his future.

"We'll have to wait and see with Scholes," stressed Sir Alex. "He's got an injury that is bothering him a lot. I don't think he came onto the pitch but he's not that type. He was probably home by the time the game ended!

"It doesn't matter as he'll be here anyway - whether as a player or coach. He'll be here anyway."

Sir Alex also thinks that Scholes' decision to end his coaching stint with the Reserves last term was purely because he wanted to extend his playing career.

"It would've been easy to say nothing and carry on with the Reserves but he made his mind up he wanted to come back and play and it was a good one for us," added the manager.

"I think there will come a time when he has to quit anyway, whether it's next year or this year. He's not made his mind up about that. He has got a lot to offer us and we do this now, it's a very important part of our club to get players who have made a great contribution.

"Scholes, Nicky Butt is with the Reserves; Darren Fletcher, when his time comes, will join. Ryan Giggs will join. Brian McClair, Tony Whelan, Paul McGuinness, Marek Szmid. We have a lot of former players in positions at the club which is healthy for us."