Paul Scholes will be out for three months with knee ligament damage. This will usually give Alex Ferguson a major headache but at this point of time, United is scoring freely and players like Nani, Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney are up to the task of the swashbuckling football United is famous for, so that kinds of lighten the burden of replacing this great player.
It is no coincidence that the return to form of Scholes last season was the major reason (besides Ronaldo) for United lifting the title. Without these two key players, United is simply a write-off.
After all, United did not purchase any new players, not for lack of trying, but because nobody was interested as they have lost their dominance to Chelsea and Arsenal. They also have an in-house feud between Rooney and Ronaldo to deal with. Add to that, selling of van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid. The club mired in debt after the Glazers refinanced their loan. Things never looked so bleak for Ferguson but fortunately, they beat expectations to clinch the title.
I was particularly impressed with Scholes last season. Like fine wine, he gets better with age. He put his long injury behind him and is reborn as the influential midfield maestro with his incisive passing and creativity.
It has been said that Paul Scholes has one of the best football brains ever to grace Old Trafford. Making the task of scoring from deep positions and carving out openings from impossible situations his trademark, he is destined to join the glorious echelons of United greats.
However, at 32, Scholes has reached an age where injuries take a long time to recover and he is more susceptible to wear and tear. The sudden retirement of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after losing his battle with injuries brought home this point.
Scholes can possibly play on for another 3-4 seasons if he maintain his body in fine physical condition. But Manchester United has to deal with the day when Scholes has to retire. I think Ferguson is preparing well for this day and if they can maintain the winning streak in the absence of Scholes, I would say the future bodes well for Fergie’s fledglings.
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