Manchester United's old guard Paul Scholes is prepared to curtail his goal-scoring instincts to serve the greater good.

The 34-year-old midfielder was out for two months after knee surgery at the beginning of October but has come back strongly ever since.

Scholes has been helping United fighting on four fronts but from a more reserved role.

The midfielder admits to missing the good old days of ghosting into the area and scoring goals, but accepts that in order to prolong his career and the opportunity to win more silverware things had to change.

"I don't go forward or score the amount of goals like I used to and would still like to. But that's just one of those things and it's something you just have to accept," he told ManUtd.com.

"Things have changed in that sense and also in terms of not playing as often as I'd like, but that's the manager's way of looking after you and getting the best out of you.

"It's great to still be here at this stage of my career. I know the end isn't far away, but my desire to win things is as strong as ever. I'm at a massive club that demands you win trophies and we're in a great position to be successful again this season. Hopefully we can see it through."