Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester
United stalwart
Ryan Giggs will be offered the chance to prolong his Old
Trafford career and play his 23rd top-flight season with the Red
Devils.
Giggs, 38, is United's all-time leading appearance maker having
played almost 900 times for the club since making his debut in
1990.
The Welshman has been on a rolling contract since the age of 30
but despite Giggs' former team-mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes
retiring last season, Ferguson believes his veteran midfielder can
go on for another year.
"I think Ryan can play another year,'' Ferguson said. "There is
no evidence at this moment in time that his energy, stamina or
speed are decreasing. In fact, it's exactly the same as it was the
last two or three years. It's amazing.
"I know it's mid-season now and it all depends on what Ryan
thinks about his future, too. He knows he can't go on forever, we
know he can't go on forever, but he can play for another
year.''
Meanwhile, Ferguson has backed
Michael Carrick, Giggs' central midfield partner in last
Wednesday's 5-0 win at Fulham, to step up and become United's most
integral player after some excellent displays in recent weeks.
"Michael's been one of our best players over the past few
weeks,'' Ferguson said. "He's been instrumental in what's happening
to the team at the moment. He's grabbed the nettle.
"In some ways, he's maybe seen the departure of Paul Scholes as
his opportunity to be the main man in midfield. It's time Michael
became the pivotal player of our team. We've always known he's got
that in him.
"He's a laid-back character - quiet and unassuming - but in
different periods during his time here he's shown his quality. Now
is the time for him to start a long period of dominating the centre
of midfield like he has in the last few weeks.''