Going back to the future

IT SAYS much about the current standing of Manchester United that their most significant “signing” of the January transfer window, if not their only one, will prove to be a 37-year-old who retired eight months ago to concentrate on coaching.

Paul Scholes scored a vital opening goal for United in the victory that took them level at the top of the Premier League and, after a shaky opening 10 minutes, during which he was clearly adjusting to the pace of the game he thought he had left behind for good last May, the midfielder looked no different to the player who was so effective — in short bursts, at least — in last season’s title-winning team.

Alex Ferguson had looked at a number of options in his central midfield in recent weeks, following the loss to illness of Darren Fletcher, to injury of Tom Cleverly and the need to play Michael Carrick in defence — and none had been to his liking.