Paul Scholes will play an instrumental role for Manchester United as they aim to repeat their treble achievement of 1999. Out for three months following a knee operation, his return is good news as the final stretch of the race is what differentiates the champions from the pretenders.
After making a substitute appearance in last week 3-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham, he is expected to start in Wednesday’s Premier League match against Portsmouth at Old Trafford
“Something special seems to happen when the ball goes to him. He has an innate sense of composure about him,” said United boss Ferguson. “The game just seems to stop so he controls it. He is an amazing player.
United, sharing top spot with Arsenal in the Premier League, will clash with his arch rival in the last 16 of the FA Cup next month. Both teams are currently in with a chance of winning a domestic title, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
“It is an improbable goal but we would like to prove otherwise,” said Ferguson of the treble.
“People have said what happened in 1999 will never be done again but we will go for it. We are in the next round of the FA Cup, we have two games to come against Lyon and we are top of the Premier League. We are trying our best.”
Portsmouth, ninth in the table and with one of the best away records in the league, could be a handful especially if their new loan signing Milan Baros is sharp enough. The Lyon striker, who has stints with Liverpool and Aston Villa, could be a vital addition to a depleted squad. The Pompey squad front line can barely function with the absence of forwards Kanu and John Utaka who are on Africa Nations Cup duty.
In other matches, Chelsea should be able to maintain the pressure on Premier League leaders as they host Reading at Stamford Bridge. Bottom club Derby, in their first match since the takeover of the club by US-based investors, are at home to Manchester City. The latter will definitely go for three points as they seek to make amends for a bizarre exit from the FA Cup against lower league opponents.
West Ham are at home to Liverpool while Everton, currently in the top four, welcome Tottenham to Goodison Park.
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