Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he would like to see defender Rio Ferdinand sign a contract extension at the club, with his current deal set to expire at the end of this season.

The centre-back would become the third Manchester United player over 30 to be rewarded with a one-year contract extension, and Sir Alex believes that it is the right way of dealing with the more experienced players.

“There is nothing wrong with us giving players one-year contracts,” he told reporters.

“Players with the reputation and ability of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand should not worry about that.

“It is quite straightforward. It is not to say we doubt them but it is natural, you never know how they cope with getting older. Some do, some don’t.”

“Rio has had a great season,” he added.

“Obviously he doesn’t play every game but we prepare him for certain situations.”

Ferdinand has played in 20 games this season for the current Premier League leaders, being a virtual fixture in the United defence.

But Sir Alex believes that Ferdinand can have many more years in him, insisting that defenders can play for longer as their fitness levels are not tested as much as those of other players on the pitch.

The manager continued: “Defenders, if they look after themselves, should have longer than Giggs and Scholes because they don’t have the mileage on the clock that midfield or wide players have.”