Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has announced that he will retire from football at the end of this season.

“Paul is a truly unbelievable player,” said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. “He has always been fully committed to this club and it has been a real privilege to work with him for so many years. Paul will play at Old Trafford on Sunday against Swansea and will collect an unbelievable but well-deserved 11th Premier League medal.”

Scholes, nicknamed the Ginger Prince by United supporters, previously announced his retirement at the end of the 2010/11 season, but he returned to football in January 2012 when Ferguson called him back into the United side for their FA Cup match against Manchester City.

“Yes, I am finally hanging up my boots for good,” said Scholes. “Playing football is all I have ever wanted to do, and so to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United, under the greatest manager of all time, has been an honour. The team has the right balance and will continue to thrive under the leadership of David Moyes.”

Scholes has made 716 appearances for Manchester United.