Play on Paul

MAN FER ALL SEASONS ... Alex talked Scholes into returning

RIO FERDINAND has urged ‘phenomenal’ Paul Scholes to put any retirement plans on hold for another year.

The Manchester United legend hung up his boots last summer but was then brought back by boss Alex Ferguson in January.

Since making his comeback in the FA Cup at Manchester City, which United won 3-2, midfield maestro Scholes, 37, has been a revelation for the defending Premier League champions.

And England centre-back Ferdinand, 33, does not want him to stop yet — although he knows there will only be one man who makes that decision.

Asked if he will try to persuade him to stay on, Ferdinand said: “Definitely. It would be nice if he could play another season.

“With Scholesy, though, you know it doesn’t make a difference what anybody else says. He’s his own man and he’ll make his own decision.”

United have dropped only four points in the 13 league games in which Scholes has played a part during 2012.

And Ferdinand hailed the impact of the midfield schemer, who made his debut in 1993.

He said: “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.

“It’s not just the quality of his football that impresses me but the way he’s adapted physically. Would we have been in the same position without him?

“It’s impossible to say. It’s great to have him back, though.

“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.”