Paul Scholes reveals Sir Alex Ferguson asked him to play on at Manchester United

Paul Scholes, Manchester United

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Paul Scholes, winner of 10 Premier League titles and two European Cups in a distinguished playing career with Manchester United, has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson had wanted him to prolong his playing career.

The 36-year-old retired last month after the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona and will take on a coaching role with the Red Devils.

The former England international has revealed that he no longer had the legs to perform to the required standard befitting a Manchester United player for 90 minutes and that he was not enjoying matches to the fullest extent.

Scholes told BBC Sport: “The manager felt I could do 15 to 20 games next season.

“Physically I was not feeling great in training or the games towards the end of the season. I came to this decision, which I think is the right one.”

While Ryan Giggs, 38, has continued his career, Scholes believes that he was not fit enough to play regularly and he did not want to become a bit-part player.

“It’s something I’m still getting used to, but I knew it was the right time,” he said.

“There were a few games last season where I didn’t feel great, and in training as well. I thought it was probably the right time to do it and I stand by that now.

“You can’t go on forever, it’s all done now and I’m looking towards the future.

“I don’t think anybody wants to play a bit-part, but I’d realised that the stage of my career I was at and the way I was physically, that’s just part and parcel of it.

“You’re at a top club with the best players and you just have to realise that maybe your legs can’t do what you want them to do anymore.”

During the majority of his United career, Scholes had been a mainstay in Ferguson’s midfield; however, over the course of last season the player came to the realisation that he was not comfortable playing the full 90 minutes and that it was only during brief 15-20 minute cameos that he felt anything like his best.

He continued: “If you are going to be a part of this club you have to be available from the beginning and to be able to last 90 minutes.

“When I was starting games I didn’t feel great and the best was the last 15 or 20 minutes. I didn’t mind playing the odd game and 15 or 20 minutes at the end of games – it was probably the right way to use me.

“The best I felt was when I was playing 15 or 20 minutes at the end of a game and that is not really right.”