Paul Scholes, the flame-haired Manchester United legend, may stay on at the club past his planned retirement in the summer 2010 – if Sir Alex Ferguson has anything to do with it. Scholes’ United contract runs out in nine months time, after 15 seasons with the club. It has often been rumoured that the Oldham-born midfielder would like to see out his playing days with his home-town club.
“I don’t think this is Paul’s last season, not the way that he plays,” said Alex Ferguson this week.
“He isn’t the type to burst in to the penalty box anymore, is he? It’s difficult to say [when Scholes will retire] because it’s still only September, but I’m seeing the fresh Scholesy and the best time to use him is when he’s fresh.
“He won’t be playing the whole season but, if I get 25 games out of him at the level we saw on Saturday, I’ll be delighted with that.
“I’ve read that stuff about him playing for Oldham in his last year – no chance. He isn’t going to drop through the leagues, I’m sure of it.”
Scholes put in a man-of-the-match performance against Beşiktaş on Tuesday night, following a similarly dominant display at White Hart Lane at the weekend, prior to his dismissal. While the midfielder no longer provides the goal threat of old he is enjoying something of an Indian Summer this season.
Scholes, who will miss the weekend’s derby with Manchester City, has 143 goals for United in 610 appearances.