Sir Alex Ferguson can see both Gary Neville and Paul Scholes extending their Manchester United careers by another season.

Both of Ferguson's former fledglings have not yet secured their futures with the Red Devils as Scholes has been considering a one-year extension and Neville has insisted he wants to purely concentrate on his performances.

Ferguson has nothing but praise for the two 35-year-olds, who have shown they can still make a huge impact on the fortunes of the Premier League champions.

"Gary Neville is a player of will," said the United boss. "He has got where he is in life because he has the will to do it.

"When you are out of the game for so long at his age it is not easy. We don't bring him in every week because we know the nature of his body.

"But on Wednesday (against Milan) he was outstanding. At 35 years of age his drive is a great example to anybody and I can see him playing next season."

Both players have not been given a timescale to make a formal decision on their further contract extensions, but the United chief fully expects Scholes to also put pen to paper.

"I expect Paul to stay next year but I haven't spoken to him about it," he added.

Ferguson has been dealt further good news, with John O'Shea likely to make a return to training next month after the 28-year-old suffered a dead leg while on international duty for the Republic of Ireland, which developed a blood clot.