Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United are set to offer new contracts to Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

The veteran duo have become part of the furniture at Old Trafford over the years, having spent their entire careers to date with the Red Devils.

They are now set to be offered the opportunity to prolong their association with the club even further by penning fresh terms.

Giggs, the reigning PFA Player of the Year and latest member of the Premier League 100-goals club, will be rewarded for a number of performances which belie his years.

Scholes, who is also entering the twilight of his distinguished career, will also be awarded a new deal despite passing his 35th birthday.

Ferguson is convinced that the pair can still do a job at the highest level and is determined to tie them down for a further 12 months.

“Ryan will be offered a new contract for next season, which is an indication of what we think of him coming up to 37 next season, and Paul knows he will be offered one as well,” Ferguson said.

Both Giggs and Scholes have seen their first-team opportunities limited of late in an effort to save their ageing legs for the games that matter most.

Ferguson, though, continues to be amazed by the level of performance they put in and believes they are capable of going on for some time yet.

Humility

“Ryan is an example to young people,” said Ferguson.

“He has humility and he has never changed and I think he is having his best years now.

“He has retained that amazing quality in his game and also an enthusiasm to play.”

He added: “I spoke to Paul and he said he didn’t actually say he was thinking of his future.

“When you get to that age every player starts to think about what the future holds for him.

“But when you see Paul’s performances at West Ham and in Wolfsburg last week there is no reason to think he can’t do it again next year again.

“Maybe he thinks he should be playing every game. That’s fine, but I know that’s not fair.

“We want the quality. We want to see Scholes perform like he did on Tuesday and the best way of doing that is to gauge the games we know he is going to dominate.”

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Liverpool’s mouth-watering encounter with Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday is the pick of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures, and you can catch all the action live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1 from 3.30pm.

Last season’s corresponding meeting was arguably the game of the 2008/09 campaign as the pair shared a topsy-turvy 4-4 draw. Sharing the points this time around would do neither manager any great favours as each team aims to gain a significant mental fillip ahead of a congested festive programme.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa make the trip to champions Manchester United, Chelsea are aiming to bounce back against Everton, Tottenham Hotspur tackle Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester City head to North West neighbours Bolton Wanderers while bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth meet Sunderland.

Rafa Benitez’s theory that the end of Liverpool’s torrid UEFA Champions League journey could reignite their domestic campaign will be put to the test on Merseyside at the weekend. A midweek defeat to Fiorentina capped off a forgettable European campaign, although there were positives to take as Fernando Torres made a cameo and Alberto Aquilani made his first start for the club. Arsenal should be energised for the clash, after Arsene Wenger rotated on Wednesday. All eyes will doubtless be on Andrey Arshavin after his incredible four-goal haul in this fixture last term, while a win for the Gunners would do much to repair the damage of their recent back-to-back losses.

Chelsea’s slip last weekend has put Manchester United within touching distance of the league leaders. With this in mind, Sir Alex Ferguson will have his troops 100 per cent focused on professionally disposing of Aston Villa. But defeating Martin O’Neill’s men should be no easy task. The fifth-placed outfit are unbeaten in four games and their boss could opt to again utilise the in-form James Milner centrally – a move which proved hugely effective against Hull City. Yet Villa have never won at Old Trafford in the Premier League, while the Red Devils have lost just one of their previous 31 top-flight games on home soil. This should make for an intriguing match-up.

Table-toppers Chelsea were brought back down to earth with a bump when they were undone by Manchester City at Eastlands. And, having been denied during midweek in the Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have failed to win any of their last three matches – not quite a crisis, but still unthinkable just a week or so ago. However, the Blues boast an imposing record versus Saturday’s opponents Everton: they are unbeaten in their last 23 games against the Toffees in all competitions. Furthermore, Chelsea have not conceded a league goal at Stamford Bridge for 10 hours and two minutes. Yet David Moyes could be optimistic of coming away from the capital with something to show for his side’s efforts, with last weekend’s late draw versus Tottenham likely to have lifted spirits. Also, there is a possibility that Michael Essien’s four-week absence through injury could hurt the Blues even further.

Incredible

Tottenham’s throwing away of three points at Everton last weekend saw them remain fourth in the table, but victory over Wolves on Saturday will ensure they leapfrog North London rivals Arsenal into third, until at least Sunday afternoon. Harry Redknapp will be concerned at the manner in which his Spurs team folded, but will be hopeful of a response versus struggling Wolves. However, Mick McCarthy’s men, who sit in the relegation zone, are in decent spirits having won their first match in nine attempts. The subplot of the clash will be Robbie Keane facing the club where he started his career, but the main storyline centres around the search for a vital three-point haul.

Manchester City finally ended their incredible run of draws, and in some style, as they overcame Chelsea last Saturday to restate their ambitions of competing with the division’s ‘big four’. And victory in their meeting with Bolton Wanderers could feasibly see City climb to fourth in the table, come the end of the weekend. For Bolton, to say that that their manager Gary Megson is under pressure would be an understatement. The team is not performing well, having lost five of their last seven matches. Their form at home has been disastrous while the hunt for a first clean sheet of the campaign goes on. However, Megson can possibly take heart from City having not scored in their last four Premier League trips to the Reebok Stadium. It is but a crumb of comfort for the Trotters.

Portsmouth ensured they did not become stranded at the foot of the standings after Avram Grant recorded his first win in charge last weekend. Next they travel to an out-of-sorts Sunderland side, who invariably perform better at the Stadium of Light than on their travels. Sunderland’s unpredictable form has seen them steadily slip to 10th in the table, while, similar to their opposition, goals have been an issue of late, having scored just once in their previous four fixtures. And the head-to-head record favours the visitors, who have won their last three clashes with the Black Cats.

Stoke City and Wigan Athletic face one another on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1. It remains to be seen if James Beattie will start versus the Latics, following his row with manager Tony Pulis and fitness concerns. However, Pulis could sure be tempted to include the striker, who has scored two goals in three Premier League games against Wigan. Despite much praise directed in Pulis’ direction for the job he has done this term and some criticism in Roberto Martinez’s, only three points separate the two clubs. Stoke are arguably favourites, what with their home advantage, while we all remember what happened to Wigan the last time they left Lancashire in search of success.

Birmingham City have surprised most with their excellent form. Alex McLeish’s side are currently unbeaten in six games while they are seeking a fourth straight win. Should they achieve said feat then they will match their best ever Premier League run. Prior to the start of the season, one would imagine this would have been a fairly routine test for Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham United. Yet, the Hammers are struggling, with their balance between defence and attack yet to click. Away from home, too, they have been poor, having won just two of their last 12 games on their travels and none of the last six. The Hammers will know that defeat is not an option when considering their precarious position in the table.

Lastly, Hull City host Blackburn Rovers at the KC Stadium. The bubble Phil Brown had huffed and puffed to inflate was somewhat deflated by their defeat at Aston Villa. But a return of eight points from a possible 15 is not form of a side heading for the Championship. Blackburn may not have lost either of their last two games, in one of which they held Liverpool, but the fact remains that the goals have dried up. Rovers have failed to hit the back of the net in their previous three outings. Success for the Tigers would prove a huge boost to their survival push, but Blackburn are unlikely to roll over without a fight, in the knowledge they can put some distance between themselves as the danger zone.

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Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out a deal to bring veteran defender Sol Campbell to Manchester United in January.

Campbell was linked with a shock move to Old Trafford earlier this week to solve United’s current injury problems in defence.

Patrice Evra was the sole fit defender available for United’s UEFA Champions League win at Wolfsburg on Tuesday, and only Nemanja Vidic is expected to be back for Saturday’s game against Aston Villa.

With John O’Shea and Jonny Evans definitely out until the New Year, and no date set for Rio Ferdinand’s return from injury, Campbell was mooted as a stop-gap signing.

However, Red Devils boss Ferguson has been left surprised by the link and says he has no plans to add the 35-year-old, who had expressed an interest in the move, to his squad.

“I don’t know where this came from, but it is all wrong,” said Ferguson.

“Sol Campbell was a great player, but he is not a player we are thinking about getting to come to United.”

Campbell has been training with former club Arsenal of late after leaving Notts County in September just weeks into a five-year contract with the League Two club.

He had made just one appearance for County and has since been linked with a move to Newcastle United as he waits to secure a new club for January.

Money is there

Ferguson also denied reports that he lacks the funds to make major signings, despite bringing in 80million from the summer sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

He added: “It has been said I do not have the money. But the money is there if I wanted to use it.

“I didn’t see any value in the summer and I don’t see any value at the moment either.

“I am happy with the players I already have at the club.”

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Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the performance of Michael Owen but believes it was a team effort after watching Manchester United beat Wolfsburg 3-1.

United knew that a point would be enough to seal top spot in Group B but few expected the Red Devils to prosper as the injuries mounted to the defence.

Patrice Evra, captain for the night, was the only recognised defender with Park Ji-Sung slotting in at right-back and Darren Fletcher partnering Michael Carrick in the heart of the defence.

United had to ride their luck at times with Andrea Barzagli and Zvjezdan Misimovic going close in the first-half while Grafite had a good shout for a penalty turned down after Carrick had slid in.

In the end a hat-trick from Owen – with Edin Dzeko equalising for Wolfsburg at one stage – was enough to send United to the top of the table.

“Fantastic,” Ferguson said when asked about Owen.

“You know what he is. In the penalty box, he’s on the shoulder, making runs across defenders, the timing of the runs is fantastic and I’m really pleased for him.

“There’s players with quality there. You’ve got to trust them. They’re doing their jobs and proving it tonight again.

“They’ve applied themselves and that’s important.”

Rode their luck

Ferguson also admitted that his side had been fortunate to collect all three points, particularly with the penalty shout in the first-half.

“It looks as if it was a penalty,” he added. “Maybe we were a bit lucky there but sometimes you need a bit of luck in any game.

“Our control in the first-half was very good but their threat towards the end with their speed on the counter-attack was very good.”

Ferguson was also confident that his side’s away record, the win at Wolfsburg was a record 15th unbeaten on the road in Europe, means that they can beat anyone in the last-16

“The advantage of coming first in your group is that the second leg will be at Old Trafford,” he highlighted.

“But it doesn’t matter who we have, we have still got a chance and our record away from home in the last two years has been fantastic so hopefully that helps us and hopefully we will have our players back.”

Man. Utd v Aston Villa 1st Goalscorer: Owen, M. 5/1

Manchester United go into their UEFA Champions League game against Wolfsburg with a severely depleted squad.

The Red Devils take on the German champions at the Volkswagen Arena with 15 players missing, although they only need a draw to ensure they finish Group B on top of the pile.

Patrice Evra is the only recognised senior defender in the squad as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have been ravaged by injuries.

With Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, John O’Shea, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, and Fabio and Rafael Da Silva all sidelined, United’s defence will be unrecognisable to the one that has taken the field so far this season.

The long injury list means the Premier League champions have named a number of youngsters in the squad, with club chief executive David Gill’s son among a number of emergency players submitted on the list.

Oliver Gill, 19, is joined by fellow rookies Magnus Eikrem, Matthew James, Oliver Norwood and Cameron Stewart, although Ferguson has vowed not to treat Gill with preferential treatment.

Ryan Giggs will be rested for the game, while Owen Hargreaves is still to make his first appearance this season following major knee surgery.

Evra may line up in central defence, away from his orthodox position of left-back, and Ferguson has revealed he is likely to play alongside midfielder Michael Carrick.

Fellow midfielder Darren Fletcher is expected to fill-in at right-back, as the makeshift back-line attempt to quash the threat of Wolfsburg marksman Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko was on the scoresheet when the two sides met in September, United coming out on top 2-1 on that occasion, and the Bosnian has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the future.

With United’s usual midfielders dropping down to defence, the likes of Anderson, Park Ji-Sung and Gabriel Obertan could start in their place, as strikers Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov miss out.

Wolfsburg news

Wolfsburg are still not assured of a place in the knockout stages of the competition and are currently level on points with Russian outfit CSKA Moscow.

The Bundesliga champions will have one eye on CSKA’s game against Besiktas in Turkey, but will be buoyed by United’s long injury list.

Wolfsburg will be without Obafemi Martins who is sidelined until January with a shin problem, while Jonathan Santana (thigh) and Alexander Madlung (calf) will also be absent.

The home side have scored more goals than United in their European campaign so far although they are not in the best run of form – having not won in their last four games.

However, the Red Devils have not lost an away game in the Champions League since they were defeated by AC Milan in 2007, although they lost last year’s final on neutral soil to Barcelona.

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