Alex Ferguson rubbishes claims Paul Scholes is due to retire... again

The futures of Manchester United duo Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand have also come under the spotlight

Alex Ferguson has denied reports that Paul Scholes is to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

The Manchester United midfielder, who quit the game once already at the end of the 2010/11 season, made a sensational comeback half-way through the last campaign.

Reports today claimed that the 38-year-old had decided to call it a day once and for all next summer, telling friends about the decision. However Ferguson rejects the idea that he would not have been told about the decision by the former England international.

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."

There have also been rumours that this will be 39-year-old Ryan Giggs' last season, and perhaps the last for Rio Ferdinand in a Manchester United shirt.

Yet Ferguson said: "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."

Manchester United play Swansea on Sunday.