United get ‘Scholes replica’ in Miller

MANCHESTER UNITED believe they have unearthed the new Paul Scholes after confirming the capture of Liam Miller from Celtic.

The 22-year-old midfielder has snubbed the offer of a new contract with the Scottish giants and will join United on July 1 on a long-term deal.

“We recognised the potential of Liam,” said United boss Alex Ferguson.

The lure of moving south proved irresistible for Miller and, if Ferguson’s description is to be believed, rather than another Roy Keane, the Old Trafford outfit have got themselves a replica of Scholes.

“He has a fantastic engine, sees space in front of him and has the ability to run past opponents from deep positions,” gushed Ferguson. “He is a good finisher and excellent in the air.

“We have watched him quite a bit this season and we think he falls into the category of the kind of player we are bringing in just now to build the squad up for the future.

“Potentially he is a very good player and when you are in a situation like that, you have to make a decision.

“We are trying to safeguard the future of the club and I believe we have done the right thing by signing him. He has had a great season at Celtic and is very much part of out progressive thinking of developing a young team over the next few years.”

Miller’s arrival will continue the process of revamping United’s squad that Ferguson began last summer.

“As a young boy I only ever supported two clubs, Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United,” he said.

“I am honoured to have played for Celtic for six years and now I look forward to joining Man Utd.

“It’s very exciting and it is going to be a challenge to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Meanwhile, Miller’s agent has no fears about him staying at Celtic for the rest of the season.

Fintan Drury insisted: “He’s not the first person to sign a pre-contract. He’s a very capable young man so he can handle that.”

Drury is adamant ambition is behind Miller’s decision. “It’s not about money,” he stressed. “A 22-year-old remains very idealistic about their sport and they want to play at the highest level.

“Money is not the be all and end all. Of course it’s a factor but it’s not the only factor.

“The player left for a combination of reasons and money was but one aspect. It is a career decision and Manchester United were the only other club that Liam would have left Celtic for.

“In the end it was a choice between one of the best clubs in Britain and one of the greatest clubs in the world.”

A Celtic statement insisted the club had done everything financially to keep the player.

But Drury insisted: “The statements that Celtic are making about the financial situation are inaccurate and erroneous.

“But it is inevitable that when a club loses a player they don’t want to lose suggestions that everything was done financially to keep him.”