Scholes still wanted at United

12-MONTH CONTRACT EXPECTED: Jeremy Crossreports that the Manchester United midfielder is to be offered the chance to stay at Old Trafford.

MANCHESTER UNITED are to offer Paul Scholes a new 12-month contract to extend his career at the club beyond next summer, despite the midfielder hinting last week that he was ready to leave Old Trafford. Scholes, who celebrated his 35th birthday last month, has become disillusioned with his form and frustrated that he can no longer command a regular place in Alex Ferguson’s starting line-up at the club he has represented all his career.

“We will certainly be offering him a new contract for next season,” said the United manager, whose side host Aston Villa today. “That is what we think of him. He has been amazingly consistent. Scholesy seemed to be uncertain about his future – well, we are sure.”

Scholes has made 15 appearances for United this season and scored three goals, including a stunning effort in the 4-0 victory at West Ham United last weekend. He subsequently played the full 90 minutes in United’s 3-1 win at Wolfsburg in the Champions League.

“Every player who gets into his 30s starts to wonder what’s going to happen to them,” said Ferguson. “But when you see his performance at West Ham and at Wolfsburg there is no reason to think he can’t do it again next season.

“The issue is, can he do it all the time, play in every game? He may feel he should play in every game but, of course, he can’t. Paul has opposition from (Darren) Fletcher, (Michael) Carrick, Anderson and (Darron) Gibson. The best way to see Paul Scholes playing like he did on Tuesday night is to gauge the games in which we think he will dominate.”

Ferguson, meanwhile, believes Scholes’s fellow veteran Ryan Giggs would be a deserving winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

“If Ryan hasn’t got a chance of winning Sports Personality of the Year, then what does that say? I just hope Ryan gets the award he deserves,” said Ferguson. “He is an example to young people because of his humility. He has never changed and I think he is in the best form of his career right now. He has retained that amazing quality in his game and also his enthusiasm to play.

“I think longevity should be rewarded. For some reason, sometimes a young sportsman or woman comes on the scene for one year and wins it. That is what Ryan has had to put up with all his life.”

Ferguson is expected to drop Michael Owen in favour of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov for today’s game despite his hat-trick in midweek, but the manager has promised the centre forward he will get plenty of opportunities to impress the England coach, Fabio Capello.

United’s 19-year-old forward Danny Welbeck has agreed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2013.

Guardian Service