LA Galaxy star David Beckham admits seeing former Manchester United teammate Paul Scholes return from retirement convinced him to play for as long as he can.

Ryan Giggs, another of Beckham's old mates, celebrated his 39th birthday during the week and he is still going strong as well.

Becks - at 37, the baby of the trio - said: "I plan to keep playing as long as I can because I know when Scholesy stepped away he soon regretted it.

"Scholes stepping away makes me think I am right not to retire. But everyone's different, everybody's body is different.

"You know when it's time and obviously Scholesy realised it wasn't his time at that moment - and I'm the same. It's nice to see him and Giggsy still playing at United.

"They've had successful careers there and to see them playing like they do is great.

"It's amazing - 20 years we've been doing this and I'm just thankful I'm still playing. This game never gets old for me."