Scholes and Rio

By Chris,
April 26 2012

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged team-mate Paul Scholes to keep playing beyond the end of the current season. Having retired last summer, the former England man made a stunning return to the United ranks in the New Year and Ferdinand believes he is pivotal to the team’s success.

37-year-old Scholes grabbed the headlines as he returned to the United fold in January for the FA Cup win at fierce rivals ManchesterCity.

He has subsequently played an important role in United’s bid for a 20th league championship, scoring goals against Bolton Wanderers, Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers.

The diminutive midfielder has made 18 United appearances since his comeback, and has started the club’s last four Premier League outings.

Speaking to United Review, former Leeds centre-back Ferdinand said: "There are a number of reasons why we’ve done well since the turn of the year. There’s no doubt one of them is Paul Scholes”.

He added: “It would be nice if he could play another season. With Scholesy, though, you know it doesn’t make a difference what anybody else says. He’s his own man and he’ll make his own decision".

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to have a conversation with Scholes at the end of the season concerning whether he wishes to extend his spell out of retirement.