The fiery Scottish manager believes that the former England international will be back, even if he has not fully recovered from the blurred vision that all but ended his previous campaign four months early.

"We are convinced he will be back next season," Ferguson told the official Manchester United magazine.

"He is a sensational player, one of the best we have ever had."

The 31-year-old Scholes has admitted he may never regain normal vision, however he defied the odds to make a second half comeback in United's final game of last season and played a commanding role in a 4-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Ferguson expects Scholes's condition to improve further during the summer and it is anticipated the influential midfielder will be part of the United squad which embarks on a three-match tour of South Africa in July.

Ferguson admitted the unique nature of the injury sparked initial concern for the player's future but that has now eased, with Scholes reporting no ill effects from his late season run-out.

"It was an injury we have never been used to and it must have been worrying Paul because, when you have a problem with blurred vision and nobody can really give you a reason for it, then it is a concern," added the United chief.

"But fortunately, he got back into training, he played the second half of the last game of the season against Charlton and he did very well."