Rio keen for Scholes to play on

RIO Ferdinand will try to convince Paul Scholes to extend his Manchester United career for a further season following the 37-year-old's impact since returning from retirement.

Scholes, who came back in January after six months out of the game, finished third behind Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney in the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year poll earlier this week, despite playing in just 18 games this season.

Although the former England midfielder is understood to be leaning towards staying on at Old Trafford next season, United have yet to discuss terms, with Alex Ferguson insisting that the issue is shelved until the end of the campaign.

But with Scholes yet to experience defeat in the Premier League since returning to action, Ferdinand admits he will make every effort to ensure that the veteran is part of United's squad next campaign.

"Definitely," Ferdinand said. "It would be nice if he could play another season, but, with Scholesy, you know it doesn't make a difference what anybody else says. He's his own man and he'll make his own decision. There are a number of reasons why we've done well since the turn of the year and there's no doubt that one of them is Paul Scholes.

"He was out of the game for months and yet he's come straight back into top-level football and he's hardly looked out of place. At this stage of his career, that's phenomenal."

Scholes is set to start in Monday's title decider against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium -- a game which would see Roberto Mancini's team claim top spot if they win.