Ryan Giggs (File)

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London - Manchester United great Ryan Giggs has insisted he won't make the same mistake as team-mate Paul Scholes by retiring too soon.

Scholes quit after helping United win a record 19th English title last season and started to coach the reserve side at Old Trafford.

However, he was summoned back into first-team action by Sir Alex Ferguson in January to help ease United's injury crisis in midfield.

Giggs though recently signed a one-year contract extension and the 38-year-old, who has only ever played professionally for United, is set to take part in a 22nd season at Old Trafford, having made his debut in 1991.

Since then midfielder Giggs has scored 162 goals and won 12 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and three League Cups.

And on Thursday he is set go become the first player to make 900 appearances for United when they play Ajax in the Europa League.

"When to retire is difficult," Giggs told Tuesday's Daily Telegraph. "Do you quit too early or go that one too many games and let people see you on the slide? Retirement is just a decision that I have to take my time with because I feel different after each game.

"He (Scholes) was missing it and it's no secret that me, (Gary Neville) and a few other people felt that he had finished too early, but who where we to know?

"We wanted him to carry on but he'd made his decision quit early and it was probably too early, which I think he accepts now. Who knows? Maybe he'll carry on next year," the former Wales international added.

Giggs could feature as an over-age player in the Great Britain side at the 2012 London Olympics but is wary of taking part lest it damage Wales's case to remain an independent football nation.

"I haven't thought about the Olympics too much but nearer the time, I am obviously going to have to," Giggs said. "First of all, I have to get picked - there are a lot of players vying for 20-odd spots - (and then there) is another obstacle: will it affect Wales in the future?.

"If it does, then it will be an easy decision for me to make. If it comes to the time when the likes of myself, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are picked, it is something we will have to speak to the FAW (Football Association of Wales) about," he added.

Giggs said switching to central midfield after starting out as a left winger had helped prolong his career.

"Moving in to central midfield has definitely helped me," he said. "I had a taste of what it was like on the wing against Liverpool on Saturday (a match Premier League champions United won 2-1) and it's just completely different because you are up and down all the time."