Alex Ferguson has dropped the clearest hint yet Ryan Giggs will be offered the chance to beat Manchester United's all-time appearance record. Giggs is currently 43 games away from matching Bobby Charlton's club best of 759.
Theoretically that could be done next season but in reality, at 33, Giggs is unlikely to be pushed quite so hard. With his contract due to expire in 12 months, there was the real possibility Giggs may leave Old Trafford before he beats Charlton's record.
But, while chief executive David Gill confirmed earlier this week no talks were planned with the former Wales international, Ferguson confirmed both Giggs and fellow veteran Paul Scholes, would be remaining at United for a long time yet.
"The situation with them both is straightforward," said the United boss. "They are both fantastic professionals who have looked after themselves properly. I don't have any doubts about them. They are both going to be playing at a very high level well into their mid-30s, certainly next year and the year after."
While Giggs turned in a man-of-the-match performance in a 6-0 triumph over Shenzhen in Macau yesterday, Scholes was heading back to England for further tests on the knee injury he sustained in Seoul on Friday.
Although Ferguson does not believe the damage to be too serious, the former England star has been ruled out for up to a month, a period which includes the Premier League opener against Reading on August 12th and subsequent trips to Portsmouth and Manchester City.
With fellow midfielder Owen Hargreaves yet to play a part in United's pre-season campaign so far due to his own knee problem, Ferguson could have done without such bad news.
However, Scholes' situation is eclipsed by the row brewing between the Old Trafford outfit and north-west rivals Liverpool over the future of Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze.
United are now examining the possibility that Liverpool made an illegal approach for a player who Reds boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed the Anfield outfit have made a bid for.
"We are examining some of the statements coming from his agent and when contact was first made with Liverpool," said Ferguson.
"We are not happy with the agent's conduct in the matter and we are examining that as well, but it will take a couple of days before we have anything more to say. But our stance has not chance, Gabriel Heinze will not be joining Liverpool."
United have flatly refused to do business with Liverpool, even though Benitez has matched the Red Devils' £6.8million asking price for the 29-year-old.
Although Heinze's agent claims to be in receipt of a letter which effectively gives the defender permission to leave Old Trafford, United chief executive David Gill does not believe it overrides the player's contract, which still has two years to run.
In any case, Gill insists he verbally informed Heinze's agent that United would not be prepared to do business with any of their main Premier League rivals, specifically Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Currently on a short break following his participation at the Copa America, Heinze is said to be considering a legal challenge to Gill's view.
