Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Paul Scholes signs new one-year deal at Manchester United

 

Thursday 31 May 2012 11:37 BST
Comments
Scholes came out of retirement in January
Scholes came out of retirement in January (Getty Images)

Paul Scholes has put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension that keeps the former England midfielder at Manchester United until the end of the 2012/13 season, the club have confirmed.

Scholes came out of retirement in January and produced a number of impressive displays as United were just beaten to the Barclays Premier League title by neighbours Manchester City.

The new deal for Scholes was first announced by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and today's announcement confirms that formalities have now been competed.

In a statement on their official website, United also confirmed goalkeeper Ben Amos has agreed a three-year contract extension.

Confirmation of Scholes' deal comes almost a year to the day since he announced his retirement.

The 37-year-old moved into a role with United's coaching team but after reversing his decision to retire he made his comeback in United's FA Cup third-round derby victory over City at the Etihad Stadium on January 8.

He went on to make 16 Premier League appearances in the second half of the season, scoring four goals, giving rise to speculation he could end his international exile and force his way into Roy Hodgson's squad for Euro 2012.

That Scholes did not return to the international fold will come as a relief to Ferguson, who in announcing the new deal earlier this month admitted that next season would likely be the midfielder's last.

"I am delighted," Ferguson told MUTV on May 14. "He knew he had made a mistake. He now realises if he plays 25 or 30 games next season, they will be of real quality.

"I think this will be Paul's last season. We know him very well. We have had him since he was a kid. We know how to use him."

The deal for Amos keeps the 22-year-old at Old Trafford until 2015.

He made his Premier League debut in January's victory over Stoke and played in all three of the club's Carling Cup ties last season.

Amos has made a total of seven appearances in four years as part of the first-team set-up, and has had loan spells at Molde, Peterborough and Oldham.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in