Scholes Is Vital, Says Sir Alex
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http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=638878
Sir Alex Ferguson has announced that Paul Scholes' return to fitness and form could not be timelier in terms of Manchester United's hopes of retaining the Barclays Premiership title.
The 33-year-old deep-lying playmaker has been dogged by knee problems this season, and his sluggishness in regaining match fitness after more than three months on the sidelines has seen many observers declare that he is officially ‘past it'.
However, Sir Alex is confident that Scholes will be a pivotal part of United's push for their 17th league title, pointing to Scholes' dominant performance against North-West rivals Liverpool last weekend.
The Real Paul Scholes
“Last Sunday's win over Liverpool was a great sign for me in terms of the confidence and composure of the team,†said Ferguson during his weekly press conference.
“But what pleased me most was the performance of Paul Scholes. After three and a half months out he's taken time to get back to real Paul Scholes form.
“He was absolutely head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch – and there were some fantastic performances. His form over the next few weeks will be important for us.â€
O'Neill's Admiration
Scholes, having retired from the England international team in 2004, took no part in the midweek friendly fixtures and will be fully rested as United host Aston Villa this Saturday. Villans boss Martin O'Neill is very wary of the fact, admitting his admiration for Scholes.
“Winning is about being able to compete week in, week out,†said O'Neill. “All you have to do is look at Paul Scholes.
“He's won umpteen Championships and he still plays as if he's 18. That comes from within and from being really successful and hungry.â€
Rooney's Impact
Sir Alex has also stuck up for mercurial forward Wayne Rooney, who has come under fire in recent weeks due to his failure to score in his last six club appearances for the Red Devils.
But Ferguson insists that Rooney's contribution extends far beyond his impact on the scoreboard, again using the Liverpool game to demonstrate his point – a match in which Rooney relentlessly terrorised the Merseysider Red's defence.
“I was speaking to Alex Miller (Liverpool coach) after the game and we both agreed Wayne was simply unbelievable,†said Ferguson.
“He was great all day. You just had to look at his sheer aggression, his sublime ball control and his sharp penetration.
“I have not one problem with the boy. I hope he plays as badly for the rest of the season. That will do for me.â€
Queiroz Going Nowhere
Meanwhile, Sir Alex has trodden on recent reports indicating that his assistant Carlos Queiroz is heading for Portuguese club Benfica, indicating that perhaps Queiroz has had his fill of the continental management style for the time being.
“I am quite certain Carlos will not be going to Benfica,†said Ferguson.
“The Real Madrid experience was something else. It was a job he had to take.
âœBut he learned how difficult it is. He wasn't allowed to buy and instead told to sell players.â€
http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=638878
Sir Alex Ferguson has announced that Paul Scholes' return to fitness and form could not be timelier in terms of Manchester United's hopes of retaining the Barclays Premiership title.
The 33-year-old deep-lying playmaker has been dogged by knee problems this season, and his sluggishness in regaining match fitness after more than three months on the sidelines has seen many observers declare that he is officially ‘past it'.
However, Sir Alex is confident that Scholes will be a pivotal part of United's push for their 17th league title, pointing to Scholes' dominant performance against North-West rivals Liverpool last weekend.
The Real Paul Scholes
“Last Sunday's win over Liverpool was a great sign for me in terms of the confidence and composure of the team,†said Ferguson during his weekly press conference.
“But what pleased me most was the performance of Paul Scholes. After three and a half months out he's taken time to get back to real Paul Scholes form.
“He was absolutely head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch – and there were some fantastic performances. His form over the next few weeks will be important for us.â€
O'Neill's Admiration
Scholes, having retired from the England international team in 2004, took no part in the midweek friendly fixtures and will be fully rested as United host Aston Villa this Saturday. Villans boss Martin O'Neill is very wary of the fact, admitting his admiration for Scholes.
“Winning is about being able to compete week in, week out,†said O'Neill. “All you have to do is look at Paul Scholes.
“He's won umpteen Championships and he still plays as if he's 18. That comes from within and from being really successful and hungry.â€
Rooney's Impact
Sir Alex has also stuck up for mercurial forward Wayne Rooney, who has come under fire in recent weeks due to his failure to score in his last six club appearances for the Red Devils.
But Ferguson insists that Rooney's contribution extends far beyond his impact on the scoreboard, again using the Liverpool game to demonstrate his point – a match in which Rooney relentlessly terrorised the Merseysider Red's defence.
“I was speaking to Alex Miller (Liverpool coach) after the game and we both agreed Wayne was simply unbelievable,†said Ferguson.
“He was great all day. You just had to look at his sheer aggression, his sublime ball control and his sharp penetration.
“I have not one problem with the boy. I hope he plays as badly for the rest of the season. That will do for me.â€
Queiroz Going Nowhere
Meanwhile, Sir Alex has trodden on recent reports indicating that his assistant Carlos Queiroz is heading for Portuguese club Benfica, indicating that perhaps Queiroz has had his fill of the continental management style for the time being.
“I am quite certain Carlos will not be going to Benfica,†said Ferguson.
“The Real Madrid experience was something else. It was a job he had to take.
âœBut he learned how difficult it is. He wasn't allowed to buy and instead told to sell players.â€
