Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes had a mixed performance in his unexpected return to professional football for Manchester United.
Scholes, who had called time on his career at the end of last season, featured in Manchester United’s action-packed 3-2 FA Cup defeat of its bitter rivals Manchester City.
The 37-year-old has made a comeback to help out the Red Devils for the remainder of the season. United has a growing injury crisis, and it is expected the calming influence of the former England great will be vital in the club’s challenge for the premiership title.
The likes of Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher and Ashley Young are currently unavailable and there are some signs that United might be wilting under immense pressure on the home and European fronts.
The Red Devils have slumped to defeats to Newcastle United and Blackburn in the Premier League in recent days, and were knocked out of the Champions League late last year.
Scholes has been training with the squad since retiring, as he remains as a coach at Old Trafford, and reports suggest his fitness levels are still at the required levels.
Surely the continuing impact of the ageless Ryan Giggs, not to mention Scholes’ class, have convinced Sir Alex Ferguson to give the playmaker a chance.
But Scholes return to the red and white wasn’t as perfect as he would have liked. While United were victorious, Scholes’ own performance wasn’t his best. Coming off the bench, in the 63rd minute Scholes gifted the ball to City for their second goal – James Milner picked up the ball and whipped in a cross to Sergio Aguero who shot and then scored with the rebound.
It was a stark reminder that reputations mean nothing in these high-octane clashes. City is intent on claiming a big trophy this year and Untied are being challenged more intently than in previous seasons.
Rather than risk a new buy in the transfer window, Ferguson has gone with what he knows – a player who he trusts, who has delivered for him time and time again over a trophy-laden 16-year career and who he describes as one of Manchester United’s greatest ever.
It’s a calculated risk bringing Scholes back rather than splurging on a new face, but if United can keep their hold on the title and if Scholes can be true to his classic chant – “Paul Scholes, he scores goals” it will be another masterstroke from the wily Scot.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Manchester City have chalked up another big win in their hunt for an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title, with Phil Foden continuing his…
The real concern comes down to football's growing trend of big corporations taking up slices of the world game at the expense of smaller teams.
Manchester United have survived one of the most astonishing FA Cup semi-final comebacks to beat second-tier Coventry City 4-2 on penalties after a chaotic…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has slammed the FA Cup scheduling after watching his side beat Chelsea 1-0 to reach the final, three days…
With a certain inevitability, Manchester City are suddenly in charge of the Premier League title race. Arsenal and Liverpool both produced lethargic performances under…
Ten goals flew in across the opening two quarterfinals of the Champions League as honours ended all square in Madrid and London. An incredible…
