Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson intends to offer defender Rio Ferdinand a new one-year contract.

The Mail on Sunday says Ferdinand will be offered a new one-year deal by Manchester United next month and be given the opportunity to extend his playing career into his 36th year.

The central defender is a free agent in June but Ferguson views him in the same way as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - a senior player who can continue playing despite his age and can offer vital off-the-field leadership.