Paul Scholes is back

Pexbo

I think Fergie hit the nail on the head when he said he'd had longer periods out injured and come back in marvellous form.

The difference? Well obviously his age is one factor but a positive is that he's had time to have a complete freshen up and his hunger is no doubt back and then some. On top of that, he wasn't out injured. He was training still and keeping in shape so it's just a case of match fitness.

In a 3 man midfield with Carrick and someone who will work, his quality will shine through. As someone has said before, Carrick - Cleverley - Scholes is a mouth watering prospect as not only does Cleverley work very hard, his style of pass and move football should compliment Scholes game perfectly. I'm sporting a fine chub after writing this.

gooDevil

Paul Scholes, the best player at Manchester United. No agent.

EdWeatherall

Any changes of opinion yet?

Hellboy

Some of his interceptions were amazing, shame about his long passing that was a bit off yesterday.

Cina

Those comments are over the top, but I doubt many on here can honestly claim that they expected him to be such a big help. I certainly didn't, and he's my favourite ever player.

Brwned

"Finally some wise words". Hah. I was still a bit iffy about the whole thing right up until I watched that effortless dink over Palacios' head. Should know better than to complain about watching someone who finds football this easy. He's came back inspired.

marjen

In hindsight, his return has been a very good decision by Ferguson, and has reinvigorated our central midfield. It annoys me, but Noodle was probably spot on about this.

Now we need our other midfielders back. Anderson and Cleverley will be a boost for the run-in.

Randall Flagg

Signing of the season. He was fantastic today

evra

Sign him up for another year.

gooDevil

He just runs the game, like a pendulum. We never have to worry about losing the ball, just move everything through Scholes.

Surely he'll come back next year too!

Ash_G

Thought he was the best player on the pitch today. He made a couple of lose passes but most did. Everything else was superb though, great passing, defended well and showed a lot of composure. Everything went through him and today was another example of how Scholes, is a much better central midfielder than Gerrard.

MST3K

instant chemistry with carrick. brilliant to watch.

kps88

His defensive work has been great to see as well! Does lots off the ball.

Successful

He's dominating the midfield. They can't get close to him.

Sam

Get him signed for next year!

FlawlessThaw

Scholes >>>>>> Gerrard

If I was the next England manager I would camp out in Scholes' front garden till he agreed to play in the Euros.

bergen

I'd be amazed if he doesn't sign a contract for next year.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber

No.. I'm glad he is doing well, but we really shouldn't be in such a position.

De Selby

He's pure gold. That pass to Giggs in the 1st half was absolutely sublime. Shame there wasn't a goal at the end.

Outside bet to go to the Euro's?

kouroux

When he makes a quick give and go, you sense that he's the maestro of the team.The other players quickly surrender the ball to him when he comes for a pass.They respect him too much

BaldwinLegend

Hard to believe now that people were seriously asking 6 weeks ago who the better signing was, Scholes or Henry...

bergen

What position? Offer Scholes to Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Tottenham.. They'd all jump at the chance to have him in their midfield. He's just excellent.

SharkyMcShark

Should have a good 2 week break as well after today (I'm not expecting him to be involved in the Europa League and next weekend is a Cup weekend)

BaldwinLegend

I'd install Fergie as caretaker for one tournament and take Scholes as the one veteran in an otherwise youth oriented squad. Would be fantastic to see him at the heart of a young team, doing the running for him.

He makes it look so bloody easy, you can't stop wondering why the others can't do it while watching him...

FlawlessThaw

No chance Fergie would do it for all the money in the world. As an United fan I'd rather Fergie got a few weeks off and looked to plan for the next season.

BaldwinLegend

That's just idiocy.

It's not about some 'backwards' step bringing him back. Look at it another way - he should never have retired. There was no need, and Fergie said it at the time.

BaldwinLegend

Good for you.

Skywarden

To be fair he shouldn't have retired just yet. He's doing well, like you said, and that's evidence enough to put faith in him.

FlawlessThaw

And for United obviously

RyanGoggs

Would Paul consider playing for England again (assuming he retires again at the end of the season) as a final swansong to his career. He said that he may well have gone to the last WC had he been asked earlier. England don't really have anyone who can dictate play like scholes can either.

Aint gota Kalou

People say stuff like this but if any other club in the world had Giggs or Scholes they'd still use them a whole lot. I understand they're old but it's still annoying how whenever they play well people always use it as a criticism of our midfield in general.

Garethw

The only reason I was happy with him retiring was I felt positive that we would then be forced into signing a world class replacement last summer.

It's absolutely incredible that he is still our best CM after his retirement and subsequent return. Terms like "world class" just don't do the little ginger bugger the credit he deserves.

ricky-romeo

a new contract is a must now.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber

Rather what is the true pure idiocy is pretending its not a back ward step to get back a retired player and have him become a key figure again. Your Scholes love should not blind you to that obvious fact. Don't forget Scholes himself decide to quit and its the prolonged rest that has recharged his batteries.

Coca Cola

Is that the first time he plays 90 minutes since he came back?

BaldwinLegend

Yeah, thank God a speculative scenario I idly posted on an internet forum won't come to pass. That was close, phew.

BaldwinLegend

So which part of his performances are you unhappy with since coming back?

Presumably you'll be against him signing a new contract for next season?

Maciek

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber

Classic missing the point. Scholes actually retired. Then came back and is STILL key. Name another big big club in which that has happened?

I have never been one of them. I don't have any problem with us using old players. Being a supporter of Bayern who used Mathaus till he was 40 ...

I have a huge problem rather with retired players coming back from retirement and become key for us. I insist that should never happen to a club of United's stature. I don't care how well loved and how well the player in question does upon his return to the fold.

FlawlessThaw

To be fair if I was in the FA with no ties to United I would look into your speculative scenario. But from the other perspective it was a bit laughable.

For what it's worth, despite my post-match comment, there is no chance Scholes will play for England in the summer.