Manchester United are ready to hand Paul Scholes a new contract. The Manchester Evening News says the Reds' midfielder will reach his 35th birthday on Monday but there are no signs that this will be his last personal celebration as a United player.

The club are considering offering him another 12-month deal. In October 2008, United gave him a year-long deal and Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson is recommending another short-term contract.

The deal he signed 13 months ago will expire at the end of the season and he is on a list of veterans who are being considered for new agreements.

Ferguson hailed the Salfordian earlier this season and predicted this would not be his swansong campaign.

"I don't think this is Paul's last season," said Fergie. "What else has he got? He's a football man. He isn't going to drop down through the leagues, I'm sure of that. We'll have to look at the season as a whole and see what happens. He won't be playing the entire season, but that's why we've got a squad of players.

"He'll miss more than he plays, but if I can get 25 games out of him at the level we saw against Spurs and Besiktas, we'll be delighted with that.

"I don't think this will be his last season, not the way he plays. He's not the type that bursts into the penalty box these days, is he?"