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Paul Scholes believes it's about time Manchester United backed up claims that they have a strong squad.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men go into the FA Cup fourth round tie against Tottenham at Old Trafford with ten first team players out of action.
That figure could rise to a dozen if Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs do not recover from minor knocks.
But Scholes, who is likely to feature against Spurs, is determined not to use the injury list as an excuse for any slack performances.
"We have been saying all along we have a big squad and a quality squad. Now we have to prove it," the midfielder said.
"Only time will tell if we get stretched.
"Wes Brown has been looking quite good in training, so he should be back soon. It would be nice to get Rio Ferdinand back as well.
"It is disappointing when you get injuries and we seem to be dropping like flies but this is the time you need your squad players."
The Red Devils squad is so depleted that youngsters Richard Eckersley, James Chester, who came off the bench against Derby in midweek, and Fabio, Rafael da Silva's twin brother, have been fast tracked into the first-team squad for Saturday's cup clash.
Talent
Despite their lack of experience Scholes has no worries that they can step up to the plate, with many of them having helped United on their way to the Carling Cup final.
But the 34-year-old did not need to be reminded how talented this latest crop of youngsters were having witnessed first hand in training their undoubted potential.
"It didn't take winning a semi-final to realise there are a lot of good young players coming through," Scholes added.
"We train with these lads every day and they have all the quality. They are still young lads and have plenty of improvement to do but they are at the right place to do it."
The Oldham born ace has experienced lifting the FA Cup and even scoring in a final but he insists he understands Spurs boss Harry Redknapp fielding a weakened side.
"Harry is normally quite an honest bloke and he probably thinks there are more important things ahead of him," Scholes explained.
"In fairness he probably has because it would be disastrous if Tottenham went down. I'm sure they won't but that has to be his priority."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4838054,00.html
Sir Alex Ferguson's men go into the FA Cup fourth round tie against Tottenham at Old Trafford with ten first team players out of action.
That figure could rise to a dozen if Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs do not recover from minor knocks.
But Scholes, who is likely to feature against Spurs, is determined not to use the injury list as an excuse for any slack performances.
"We have been saying all along we have a big squad and a quality squad. Now we have to prove it," the midfielder said.
"Only time will tell if we get stretched.
"Wes Brown has been looking quite good in training, so he should be back soon. It would be nice to get Rio Ferdinand back as well.
"It is disappointing when you get injuries and we seem to be dropping like flies but this is the time you need your squad players."
The Red Devils squad is so depleted that youngsters Richard Eckersley, James Chester, who came off the bench against Derby in midweek, and Fabio, Rafael da Silva's twin brother, have been fast tracked into the first-team squad for Saturday's cup clash.
Talent
Despite their lack of experience Scholes has no worries that they can step up to the plate, with many of them having helped United on their way to the Carling Cup final.
But the 34-year-old did not need to be reminded how talented this latest crop of youngsters were having witnessed first hand in training their undoubted potential.
"It didn't take winning a semi-final to realise there are a lot of good young players coming through," Scholes added.
"We train with these lads every day and they have all the quality. They are still young lads and have plenty of improvement to do but they are at the right place to do it."
The Oldham born ace has experienced lifting the FA Cup and even scoring in a final but he insists he understands Spurs boss Harry Redknapp fielding a weakened side.
"Harry is normally quite an honest bloke and he probably thinks there are more important things ahead of him," Scholes explained.
"In fairness he probably has because it would be disastrous if Tottenham went down. I'm sure they won't but that has to be his priority."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4838054,00.html