Scholes hoping for a happy new year
United complete a memorable 2008 against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford tonight, needing a victory to keep in touch with Liverpool and Chelsea as they look to complete a Premier League title hat-trick.
Alex Ferguson’s side might well be in the thick of battle but they hit the new year two games behind their main rivals after diversions at the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup in Japan.
While United can now justifiably claim to be the best team on the planet, Scholes is happy to concentrate on the usual big prizes without any added responsibilities elsewhere.
“It is nice to be back and be able to concentrate on the other competitions,” he said. “That is not to say anything about the Japan trip. But now we can really concentrate on the league, the Champions League and the two domestic cups — which are important to us.”
The 34-year-old at least completed a full game in the far east, hastening a return to full fitness following knee surgery in September.
The comeback, which extended into Friday’s win over Stoke, came a couple of weeks earlier than expected – maintaining Scholes’ reputation as a quick healer — although the man himself was typically dismissive of his own significance.
“We have got so many players who can play in midfield, I was not missed,” he said. “We don’t miss anyone when they are out injured.
“We have the squad to handle things. There are always top quality players who can come in and play equally as well, or even better, as the one they have replaced.”
Ferguson may test that strength in depth for his side’s second game in three days. Rafael may be introduced into a youthful defence missing both Rio Ferdinand, who is resting a worrying back problem, and Patrice Evra, who is serving a four-match ban.
Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, wants Middlesbrough’s big-name players to learn from United’s example and show some leadership skills to arrest their slump towards the relegation zone.
“People are always looking for leaders, but they are at a premium at the moment,’’ Southgate said.
“Alex has got the likes of (Ryan) Giggs and (Gary) Neville and Scholes, who probably run the dressing room there. Everyone wants that situation, but I suspect very few clubs have that.”
MAN UTD (likely): Van der Sar, Rafael, Evans, Vidic, O’Shea, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez.
MIDDLESBROUGH (likely): Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, O’Neil, Arca, Downing, Tuncay, Alves.
Kick off 8pm, Setanta Sports
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