Sir Alex Ferguson delighted to secure Paul Scholes for final year

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Paul Scholes knew he had “made a mistake” by retiring last summer after the midfielder signed a new one-year deal at Manchester United on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old called time on his career after the Red Devils’ 3-1 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley in May last year and subsequently took up a coaching role at Old Trafford.

However, Ferguson convinced the former England international to come out of retirement in January, with the 19-time league champions struggling to cope amid mounting injury problems.

Scholes came on as a second-half substitute in the Red Devils’ 3-2 victory over City in the FA Cup third round, before helping to inspire Ferguson’s side to embark on a remarkable run of form which saw them narrowly miss out on a 13th Premier League title.

“I’m delighted. He knew he had made a mistake [in retiring],” said Ferguson.

“He now realises that next season if he plays 25 games it will be real quality. We know we play him really well. We’ve had him since a kid. We know how to use him.

“Obviously next season will definitely be Ryan Giggs’s and Paul Scholes’s last season, I’m sure of that.

“Although I’m not so sure about Ryan because he defies age. Paul – [it will] probably his last year.”

Scholes has scored 154 goals in 696 appearances for United over a trophy-laden 19-year spell at Old Trafford in which he won 10 league titles and collected two Champions League winners’ medals.

“I’m delighted the manager feels I can still make a contribution to the team,” said Scholes.

Open a bet365 account with £10 or more and you'll get a free bet of up to £200 on us. Click here for more information.

Like The Sport Review on Facebook:

Read more on: Football transfers, Manchester United, paul scholes, Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson.