Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected reports claiming that Paul Scholes has already decided to retire at the end of the season.

It has been rumoured that the 38-year-old has told close friends that this season will be his last.

However, Ferguson has dismissed the rumours, insisting that Scholes would have told him if he had planned anything. The Scot also hinted that Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand still have a future at Old Trafford.

Ferguson said: "I would be surprised if Paul had spoken to someone without speaking to me - and he hasn't - so we can dismiss that.

"Ryan could play for another year or two. Rio has been terrific.

"The speculation comes from our policy of only giving older players one-year contracts."

Scholes has already retired once before, but returned to United's first-team setup at the beginning of the year.

Written by
Sam Hughes