Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes may not join Ryan Giggs in extending his playing career after the club's chief executive David Gill revealed that he expected Scholes to quit at the end of the season.

Scholes won his tenth Premier League title with United after coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Blackburn on Saturday. The 36-year-old will be out of contract in the summer, and though anyone connected with United would wish him to extend his contract, Gill admitted it wouldn't be a shock if Scholes decided to call it quits.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, Gill said, It wouldn't surprise us if Paul Scholes retired. At the end of the season, he will have a conversation with Sir Alex about that. I am sure he will let us know his decision and we will respect it. He has been a brilliant player for many years.

Scholes won't be alone in retiring. Current keeper Edwin van der Sar has already stated that he would be quitting. Naturally, the club is being linked with a number of potential successors including Ajax's Maarten Stekelenburg, Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea and Schalke's Manuel Neuer.

Goal keeping was a problem area for United until Van der Sar's arrival and Gill refused to shed light on the club's top target.

We know the keeper we want, said Gill. We are in a good situation with that and it will progress at the end of the season. It is not as though it is a surprise that Edwin is retiring. We have been associated with all the top goalkeepers in Europe for the last six to 12 months. We have made the decision and I am sure we can get the deal done.

Manchester United Soccer