Ryan Giggs signs contract extension to keep him playing past his 40th birthday

Giggs's deal, on the eve of a likely 1,000th senior appearance, will keep the Welsh midfielder at Old Trafford beyond his 40th birthday.

It will stop speculation that the most decorated player in British football history will retire at the end of the season.

He will win his 13th league championship if United don't blow their 12-point lead over Manchester City.

Giggs's 1,000th game - including playing for Wales and Team GB - is expected to come at Norwich tomorrow or against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Ferguson said: "Twenty-three years in the first team is unbelievable.

"He is an example to all in the way he looks after himself.

"I told him this morning I expect a bill from his mother for all the sandwiches and teas she used to make for us when we went to his house every week when we were trying to get him to sign schoolboy forms," said the United boss.

Giggs said: "I am feeling good, enjoying my football more than ever and, most importantly, I feel I am making a contribution to the team."

Meanwhile, Ferguson told new magazine Twentyfour7 that he could move onto the club's board - but that's a long way off.

"There's no getting rid of me. I will probably become a director," he said. "Nobody knows. Neither do I."

Ferguson added: "That's a long time away, I hope."

Robin van Persie will be in the squad to face Norwich after hurting his hip when he crashed into a TV camera at QPR last Saturday.

Paul Scholes (knee) and Phil Jones (ankle) are sidelined, although the latter could be fit to face Real Madrid and Ferguson confirmed Scholes should play some part in the title run-in.

Canaries midfielder Alex Tettey is out with a knee injury.

On-loan striker Kei Kamara could get a first start after coming off the bench to open his account in the win against Everton last weekend.