Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has said that he expects Paul Scholes to play beyond the end of the season.

Scholes, who quit at the end of the last campaign, came out of retirement last month for United's FA Cup tie at Manchester City. The 37-year-old has gone on to make five further appearances for the Red Devils.

"If he thinks it is time to finish again that's what he will do," Butt told the Manchester Evening News. "If he believes he can go on then he will.

"The way he is playing at the moment then surely he must be thinking he can play on beyond the end of the season.

"Of course you never know what is around the corner. He might pick up an injury or he might lose form but the way he is playing at the moment he has to be considering carrying on. I spoke to him earlier this week and I asked him outright was he going to continue and he just said he didn't know!"

Butt made 387 appearances for United during his 12 seasons with the club.