Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists Paul Scholes will not be retiring at the end of the season.
Reports had suggested that the 38-year-old midfielder has told "friends" he will be quitting the game for a second time next summer.
But Ferguson is certain that if that was the case, Scholes would have let him know.
Ferguson said: "I would be surprised if Paul had spoken to someone without speaking to me - and he hasn't - so we can dismiss that."
There have also been suggestions this could be 39-year-old Ryan Giggs' final season in the game, and that Rio Ferdinand's future at Old Trafford is uncertain.
But Ferguson said: "Ryan could play for another year or two. Rio has been terrific. The speculation comes from our policy of only giving older players one-year contracts."
what do you think?
Paul Gilbert
His ability to tackle has not changed and occasionally he gives the ball away as he always has but even at 38 he is still better than any other midfielder in the Premiership. Superb vision, superb passing and controls the game
Kelly Curtis
3:33pm on 21/12/2012
it is embarrassing see him give the ball away and not being able to tackle.should not have come out of retirement.