Previously, Ferguson has suggested the current campaign will be Scholes’ last.

That now does not appear quite so certain, with the United boss adding to the praise of Michael Carrick, who has labelled his midfield partner “a genius”.

“Paul is still the best passer of the ball in the country,” said Ferguson. “It is amazing. He has had one or two injuries over the years, quit last summer and came back. He made a fantastic contribution in the second half of the season.

“It is not a time to make a judgment on his future. I just think he should keep doing what he is already.”

Ferguson’s observations will not meet with any disagreement from Carrick, who has starred alongside Scholes in so many top United performances down the years.

“Paul Scholes is a genius,” he said. “It is fantastic to play with him. Whether he realises or not, he has helped me enormously just by watching him and taking things in.

“We all know what he can do. But there are some things you simply cannot teach. You can learn but some of the stuff only he can do.”

Carrick and Scholes should both be involved at Carrow Road as United look to extend their five-match winning run.

Javier Hernandez has already been promised a starting berth in the way of his match-winning contribution to last Saturday’s encounter with Aston Villa.

Hernandez’s double took him onto eight for the season, which is only four fewer than he managed in the entire campaign last term.

“Javier is instinctive in terms of his space and movement,” said Ferguson. “He has always had that. That was the attraction when we first saw him. He is good at finding space and has impressive speed off the mark.”

Wayne Rooney is not certain to be fit after suffering an ankle injury at Villa Park, whilst Phil Jones is expected to make his seasonal bow against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday following summer knee surgery.