The shock re-introduction of Paul Scholes to the United team sheet at the Etihad Stadium got a mixed reception.
In one corner fans and critics were lauding the retirement U-turn as a potential Fergie masterstroke.
The United boss has consistently argued that there is no available value or quality to enhance his squad in the mid-season shopping month.
But, at no cost, he has added a playmaker who is the tried and tested real deal when it comes to Manchester United class. It is a no-brainer.
The capability to use Scholes as a bit-part player for the rest of the campaign has ensured there is no need to panic buy and waste cash on inferior signings not immediately up to the Reds’ level.
It has bought Ferguson time in the market,taken the heat off Tom Cleverley’s return from ankle ligament problems and has eased the pressure on having to possibly throw in 2011 FA Youth Cup winners Paul Pogba or Ravel Morrison when they might not quite be ready.
In the opposite corner many are dismissing the 37-year-old’s comeback as a retrograde step.
They hold the view that the stunning move smacks of United’s coffers being so drained by owners the Glazers’ financial strategy that there is nothing to pay for a January splash.
They also believe that bringing the ginger legend back as an SOS stop-gap sends out the wrong message to the up-and-coming hopefuls like Pogba and Morrison, both of whom have been courted by other clubs.
Former United Captain Marvel Bryan Robson left Old Trafford as a 37-year-old – the same age as Scholes – in 1994 to become Middlesbrough’s player-manager.
He played his final game for Boro 11 days short of his 40th birthday.
He believes Fergie has pulled off a masterstroke in reviving Scholes’ playing career.
“Paul Scholes is a good as you could get in the January transfer window,” Robbo told M.E.N. Sport.
“He’s proven United quality and has been training every day at the club and so hasn’t really had a break from the game. He knows the team, they know him so there is no bedding in needed so it is a great scenario.
“When you consider United have lost Darren Fletcher’s experience until next season because of his illness I think this is a great replacement."
Scholes’ team-mate Nicky Butt believes Sir Alex has not only pulled a rabbit out of the hat to benefit the Reds until the end of the season, but that it paid immediate dividends in Sunday’s FA Cup derby.
“It was a smart move by the manager," said the former United midfielder.
“It took all the attention off their home record and the bookmakers’ odds and switched all the attention to Paul Scholes and Manchester United. It was a great little bit of psychology.
“You are not going to get a better player than Paul Scholes. He is a phenomenal player. He can do what no one else can do.
“He dictates play and keeps things simple. There is no one better at doing that.
“It is a massive boost for everyone at the club.”
Patrice Evra added: “It was great news, a big surprise I never understood why he stopped.
“He is the type of player who embodies the story of the club. It is a big boost for everyone. I know he is still fit and training well with us and I hope he will help us.”
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DESPERATION!!
The arguements you put forward are all well and good, it does buy SAF time, but Scholes hasnt got the legs to play full games, and isnt a patch on the palyer he once was, yes he will keep the ball moving, but the team has lacked movement in the centre of the park and I dont think his aging legs are the answer, at the very least bring on Pogba/Morrison to play next to Scholes and learn and give the midfield some youthful legs to cover the ground in my opinion this can only help! given the squad players for the midfield at present we are not exactly flush with talent, Carrick is negative, Anderson very hot and cold, Park likewise, Giggs to old to play consistently, so what have Utd got to lose?
Whle i,m of the opinion its a backward step. I wish scholsey all the luck in the world he
was an still is the nearest to my all time legend "the King". As for Fergie not bringin on
Pogba and Morrison, i like all other supporters at O/T , would like to know what the reasoning is why these two lads have,nt been involved more at United. Its no good
just saying they are,nt ready. We want to know what is that he thinks they are,nt ready
I f we lose these 2 lads to other teams, and they go onto be big players, and i for one
would,nt bet against it. The supporters will call into question your judgement again
There are only two people in the whole world who are cheering Paul Scholes' second coming: ManCity and SAF!
The bos argued there was no value or nobody good enough in the summer too, or at least only 2 or 3 players in world football. I would challenge anyone to put hand on heart and say that only 3 players in world football could improve us
Glazers do not want to hand Ferguson any more money in case he buys another keeper or winger we did not need
Actually a stroke of absolute genius.
There is no money to spend. SAF is made aware of this by the Glazers. He then goes back to the Glazers and tells them something similar to 'you can fool all of the people some of the time...'etc.
He then uses Scholes as his master card. How can i show the supporters my hands are tied and the purse strings are cut. The lightbulb comes on - i'll ask Scholsey if he will play half a season.
It buys me time with the owners, but more importantly it buys time with the supporters who have remained loyal whilst the squad disintergrates through age, injury, lack of quality...Who doesent like Paul Scholes at OT?
Its a win-win! In the final memoir tell the whole story of how the Glazers single handedly dragged us down whilst SAF did his best to keep everyone happy.
Apart from the sentimental adrenalin rush of seeing an Old Trafford legend don the shirt once more, there are very few – one is tempted to say no – other positives from the substitute appearance of the Ginger Prince on Sunday in the FA Cup match between United and Citeh.
It demonstrates, if anyone was in any doubt, and in spite of Sir Alex’s protestations, that the current crop of midfielders at Old Trafford are not up to the task. It is likely to erode the confidence of the likes of Anderson, who had to watch a 37 year old jump ahead of him in the pecking order. It says little for the manager’s views on the potential of the likes of Ravel Morrison and Paul Pogba if he is not prepared to give them a first team opportunity. And it confirms once more that United do not have the resources to bring in a top quality play-maker.
Losses all round, I reckon.
I heard Paddy Roche is looking for his gloves!
I find this move to be absolutely absurd. This just proves that MANU are flat on their back financially. It also indicates that Morrison and Progba do not have a future in a red shirt.
This is very depressing.
I'm sorry did Scholes find the fountain of youth during his brief retirement and has reversed the aging process so that United are getting Scholes in his prime?? This is the dumbest article I have ever read with some of the dumbest comments, he was a bit part player last year, has played very little this year and wiull take him half the remainder of the season to get match fit assuming he does not get injured. United under Fergie have no become an absolute emabarrasment!
For all of you going on about Pogba and Morrison should get games in the PL. Scholes, maybe the biggest talent in united for the last 20 years, was 20 when he made he's debut. And he was 23 when established himself as a first choice. The same goes for Beckham, made he's debut when he was 20.
A much better idea than playing a washed up old scholesy, would be to play POGBA and MORRISON against Bolton at weekend, and that won,t cost nowt either!
Will it happen?....you bet your life it won,t
Roll em out Alex, the usual suspects again.
roll
Paul Scholes has been a tremendous player for United and while he was top performer in some games last year, he was seriously found wanting in other games when opponents didn't give him time.
The fact that he could still be our most inspired midfield player is a sad reflection on both the existing midfield players in the United squad and the ambitions of the manager and/or owners.
We've known this midfield problem was coming for years and the only two signings we've made were Hargreaves and Anderson. Neither of those was successful for various reasons.
Other teams have made some great signings in that time so what is going on with our scouting and decision making?
In his last two years by his own admission Paul had very little impact on the team. He was struggling with fitness and form. He felt his legs were gone and that he could not play to the same standards that he had set for himself. These are known facts.
I don't doubt that he misses the training ground banter, the changing room anticipation, the match day adrenalin. It's the drug of choice for all players from any pub team to MUFC. I hated giving up playing. If there was a league for geriatrics I would probably be in it.
There are a lot of questions going to be thrown at him and Fergie.Will he get fit enough to play a regular 90 minutes? How many games can we get out of him till seasons end? Is he going to have a role as an impact player?Will his legs work on heavy grounds? Does he still have the eye for the long pass, the short incisive ball, the shot on goal. Has he retained that ghost like quality that puts him in the right place at the right time to score a timely goal?
One thing is for sure. Paul will have more media scrutiny in the next four months than this quiet man could imagine. I hope with all my heart that it works. For Paul's sake more than the team. I hope his body can stand the pain of training back up to Premiership level. I hope he can stand the rigours of first team football on heavy winter playing fields.
Like all of us I would love to see a fully fit Scholes playing at his best. Even at 50% capacity he could still do a job for us, which is perhaps the most worrying aspect of our current midfield. Fifty percent of a retired player is better than 100% of a Darren Gibson et al. This move has opened the door to a whole raft of issues at the club which the media will gleefully be debating ad infinitum.
My head would have preferred him to continue coaching. My heart longs to see him play like only he can. The pressure on club and player will be considerable. The sharks are circling.
SAF's decision to bring Scholesy back centred on huge losses to the club’s core of experience last summer and through injuries this season.
Between them, Scholes, Neville, Edwin van der Sar, John O’Shea and Wes Brown made 2,303 senior appearances for United. The subsequent loss of Vidic and Fletcher to long-term absences has led to SAF deciding that we are entering the decisive stage of this campaign with a shortage of nous and experience in key areas.
That's it. Nothing to do with a lack of finances, or a slur on the likes of Pogba or Morrisson. Seriously, some of you need to give the conspiracy theories a rest and come back to reality.
It's a top-class decision.
How much time does SAF need - it's been obvious to everyone (cue Alias) who knows about football that United have needed at least one midfielder for the last 2 - 3 years.
Didn't he realize that Scholes was getting older, everyone does. Doesn't he realize that the only attacker with a left foot is too old to play 90 minutes.
Time is a commodity to use wisely, not waste, but that is what has happened.
For Scholes' sake I hope he plays extremely well for the rest of the season. For United's I'm not sure that would be good - it'll only mean that SAF will delay again in doing anything.
Recall Scholes says it all, the loss of skills and hopelessness of a coach too old to detect a new midfielder on the transfer market.
Great a player as Paul Scholes is, this squad addition says more to me about other players than it does about Scholesy. My reading of the situation is that Pogba and Morrison are looking for mega-contracts before committing themselves to the reds and Sir Alex is not about to enhance their value by giving them game time in the senior side which will hopefully make United's contract offer attractive enough before the season ends for them to sign up. Pogba, from what I've seen in the Youths and reserves looks a very decent prospect and I would be surprised if he doesn't make the grade, be it with United or elsewhere. Ravel Morrison is a gifted footballer and the only reservation you can have is about his mental attitude; he has only just managed to stay away from serious trouble in his personal life by the skin of his teeth and a 'big money' contract may enable him to self-destruct easier. United need to handle Rav with care. I see similarities with Stephen Ireland at City (although he isn't perhaps blessed with as much natural skill as Rav) who had far more skill than has transferred onto a football field and he is currently trying to establish himself at Villa, rather than making a major impact at a big club. I do hope that both players can fit into the squad at OT since they can be ones for the future. If only they could look at Paul Scholes as a role model - probably the best English footballer of his generation but never caused a moments embarrassment to his club or family.
he will have to play better than against city and the end of last season. bring on the youngsters
Had SAF done the required business during the summer as he should' ve, none of this would've been neccesary. It's a total disgrace for a club of our stature.
There can be only one explanation: We have no money.
Hope Scholsey's signed a new three year contract.
That should do the trick.
the only set back so far this season really, has been the champions league exit. the stats show were better in the league this year than last year, its just the other lots great start.
all this with a crippling injury list
scholes is a master class signing, perfect in every way, he wanted to play in all the big games last year, and retired because of feeling he might not contribute as much as he would like. now after not playing for 6 months, his hunger levels are at an all time high, and will take whatever he can get, which is great for us.
i got the txt at 12.05 to say he was on the bench, and after being pretty confident we were going out, my confidence went through the roof, so what would/did it do for the players.
could still play for barca, and only over the past few years when we in this country are catching on to the grasp of ball retention has the value of the way he has changed his game been so evident.
class
With Scholes coming back, however short term ,I suspect the likes of the great hopes of Pogba and Morrison will soon be on their way,only to come back and kick us in the teeth in seasons to come.Scholes was right first time ,he should not come back ,has he said himself "he is not the P S of 5 years ago"...niether is Giggs,or Park or Gibson etc etc etc.
My initial reactions, and those of many others i'm sure weren't very realistic.
Scholes' influence on the pitch has been on the slide for 3-4 years - but that's not to say that he's no longer able to be a squad player, come in when needed and add a bit to what is a very depleted midfield. He'll be able to offer a bit of cover for Carrick and presumably will still be involved in the reserves and helping those midfielders develop.
To that extent, he's a worthy addition to the team, and maybe fancies adding the Europa cup to his already plentiful haul of medals...!
What we've not done is get in someone to replace the gap left by Fletcher, nor cover for the dismal form of Park - who is presumably suffering from a lack of matches - some players will suffer at not playing regularly I guess. TC and Ando's time out has also been a huge issue... we really need Ando to start making an impact now - for me, the rest of this season should be make or break for him - if he fails to deliver for the rest of the season I think it's time to move him on.