• Premier League

Giggs can play until he's 43 - Scholes

Ryan Giggs turned 40 this week © Getty Images

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Paul Scholes has backed his former Manchester United teammate Ryan Giggs to carry on playing at the top level for another three years.

Giggs celebrated his 40th birthday in the week and he showed during the 5-0 Champions League win against Bayer Leverkusen his influence on the United team is as strong as ever.

And Scholes believes after more than 950 appearances for the club that Giggs is not finished yet.

"He always says he will play as long as he is contributing, and there is no evidence of his contribution waning at the moment," Scholes told BBC 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

"I am sure he can play until he is 41, 42, maybe even 43. As long as he wants to, he will be able to play.

"The way he plays, he sits in midfield, he controls a game, he can make a pass, he can defend, he can still run up and down all day if he wants to. I really think he is capable of doing that."

Scholes added that he is not surprised by Giggs' achievement and pointed to his fitness regime as a key factor in his longevity.

"He is an incredible player, really," Scholes added.

"To still be doing what he's doing at is age is no surprise when you know the man, how well he has looked after himself over the years.

"To play football these days you have to look after yourself incredibly well. It is such a professional game these days, the players are so fit, but he is a natural athlete.

"He will do all his yoga, he will eat the right foods, he prepares himself meticulously for what is needed as a Premier League footballer.

"Everything he does is geared towards his fitness and keeping healthy.

"He's managed to do that. I watched him the other day and he was by far and away the best player on the pitch. To be doing that at his age is a special achievement.

"As a United fan, I hope that can continue because we know that with a Ryan Giggs in the team the way he played the other night we are going to win more games than we are going to lose."

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