United vets keeping level head

NEVER one to talk up a situation that could be played down to boredom, Paul Scholes probably reacted to news of Chelsea’s defeat at Tottenham with a disinterested shrug of the shoulders.

Yet Scholes has been down this course enough times to recognise a golden opportunity when he sees one.

Next Saturday, United tackle Spurs themselves, knowing victory at Old Trafford will take them back to the top of the Premier League and leave Chelsea stewing for 24 hours, fretting about their fate in a title race the Blues had been in control of.

“We need favours off teams. We know that,” said Scholes.

“But we just have to look after ourselves now, hopefully win all our games and see what happens elsewhere.

“If we had drawn against City it was probably all over. But the result has given us a little glimmer of hope.”

Scholes was speaking before Chelsea had even kicked off, probably more in hope than expectation, after his 149th Manchester United goal had secured one of those staggering, jaw-dropping victories that will live in the memory, whether United complete an unprecedented fourth successive championship triumph or not.

“We just keep going,” said Scholes. “Some teams play for a draw but we are not a team that plays for a draw.

“We want to win. That guarantees we go right to the end.”

Added manager Alex Ferguson: “Paul is 35 now so in that situation he is bound to be wondering what the manager thinks, what the club, the supporters and his team-mates think?

“There must be these certain questions because he has such great pride.

“Without question I believe he has another year left in him. His impact is unquestioned. We should never even discuss the impact he has made. Everyone can see it.”