Fergie backs Scholes with new deal

ALEX FERGUSON has no doubt Paul Scholes will continue to be a massive influence at Manchester United after handing the veteran midfielder a contract extension that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2010.

Scholes suffered a major blow on Tuesday when he suffered knee ligament damage against Aalborg which will rule him out until mid-December.

He is 34 next month, and his contract had been due to expire in the summer, and youngsters such as Anderson, Darren Fletcher and John O’Shea are all desperate for a chance to shine.