Giggs plays Reds’ guessing game

Ryan Giggs has refused to confirm if he will play on beyond this season, despite Sir Alex Ferguson insisting the veteran midfielder will continue into his 40s.

The 39-year-old remained coy about his future after inspiring United to victory over West Ham last night.

The Welshman rolled back the years as United booked an FA Cup fourth round tie with Fulham after a 1-0 third round replay win.

But despite producing an ageless display at a freezing Old Trafford, the Welshman is keeping everyone guessing about his future.

Asked if he would extend his incredible career by another 12 months, Giggs said: "I don’t know. I’m just enjoying my football at the moment and we’ll see what the season brings.

"If you don’t enjoy nights like this in the FA Cup, a Wednesday night at Old Trafford, then you’re never going to enjoy yourself."

However, Ferguson was far more bullish about Giggs’ long-term plans.

The United manager had dismissed speculation last month that this would be the midfielder’s final season.

And after seeing him torment Sam Allardyce’s side, the Red knight reiterated his belief that the most decorated player in English football can go on beyond May.

"He’ll play for another year," declared Ferguson. "There are no discerning signs of tiredness, his quality is still there.

"He has the appetite for it, he’s just a fantastic human being."

Victory over West Ham would have been far more comfortable had Wayne Rooney converted a late penalty after a vintage piece of Giggs magic led to Jordan Spence handling his cross.

Rooney had fired United into a ninth minute lead – but after missing a host of chances, the home side were left nervously holding on for a narrow win as West Ham pushed for an equaliser.

Ferguson made 10 changes from the side that beat Liverpool at the weekend and Giggs admitted rustiness played a part in United’s inability to kill the game off.

"When you’ve got players who’ve played all the time and some players just coming back from injury, then it can be tough at times," he admitted.

"I thought the lads who came back did well.

"You’ve got to give credit to West Ham, they were a tough team to play against.

"We couldn’t get out of our own half at the start of the second half.

"To be fair, when Michael Carrick came on and then Paul Scholes, it calmed everything down and we kept the ball a lot better."

For his part, an aggrieved Allardyce believed West Ham should have had a penalty when the ball struck Rafael’s hand in the second half.

Handball

"There was no doubt whatsoever about the difference between Rafael’s handball and Jordan Spence’s," he said.

"Jordan Spence plays for West Ham away against Manchester United and Rafael plays at home at Old Trafford.

"It’s got to be that simple when you see it. Phil Dowd was in the perfect position. Arm to ball, he pushes the ball away with his left arm. No penalty.

"Go to the other end and the ball hits Jordan Spence’s hand. If you give one you have to give them both. Simple as that.

"You’ve seen it for yourself and you can look at the replay as many times as you want.

"I’ve looked at his position for the Rafael one and it is perfect – straight in line with it, right in front of it. He had a worse position for it than for Jordan Spence’s."