Manchester United living legend Ryan Giggs, already their longest serving player of all time, as well as the club's record appearance holder has been rewarded for his recent Indian summer with a new one-year extension to his Manchester United contract.

Giggs, 35, has been a first-teamer at Old Trafford since 1991 and has scored in 17 straight top division seasons, with his solo goal against West Ham at the weekend being his first of this season. A man-of-the-match showing in last month's 3-0 win over Chelsea, where he played in centre midfield, has been hailed as one of his best performances in his long and glittering career.

United have chosen to retain a player their one-club man and have belied previous rumours that Giggs would be quitting the game at the end of this season. The Welshman said: "I feel fit and I'm enjoying my football more than ever."

He added on his club's official website: "This is an exciting young team and the spirit is great in the dressing room. I want to be a part of that and achieve even more success."

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to his professionalism.

"Ryan is a true professional of the game," Ferguson said.

"His lifestyle, the way he looks after himself, his desire to always want to win is a credit to him and also an inspiration to any young kid who wants to become a footballer.

"He is like a young boy in the way that he plays and, although he wants to play every game, he understands that by using his experience when it matters is a benefit to him and the team.

"It would be easy for him to be complacent after all he has achieved but he isn't and that speaks volumes of why the club wanted to extend his services and use that experience."