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'Paul Scholes is more valuable than a new signing' - Goal.com readers back Manchester United star's retirement U-turn
The midfielder has returned to Old Trafford on a short-term deal after six months out of the game and the majority of readers believe the club have made the correct decision
9 Jan 2012 16:51:00
Getty
POLL RESULTS
By Stephen Darwin
To those that had not seen the news that broke earlier in the day on Sunday, the sight of Paul Scholes occupying a place on the Manchester United bench during the FA Cup third round clash against rivals City must have led to some incessant eye-rubbing.
It wasn't any kind of trick or illusion, however, as the 37-year-old had made the quite remarkable decision to cut-short his retirement and return for the Red Devils on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Scholes, who replaced Nani after 59 minutes as United held on to pick up a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium to set up another mouth-watering tie against Liverpool in the fourth round, had seemingly shocked everyone, his team-mates included, as he donned the famous red shirt for the first time, his testimonial aside, in some six months.
So could the club's new No.22 really come to the aid of an injury-ravaged squad as they aim to reclaim the Premier League title or have United made a bad move in their pursuit of further glory? Goal.com invited YOU to decide and here are the results...
With 50.14 per cent of the votes, the vast majority of Goal.com readers who took part in the poll clearly believe that Manchester United have made the correct decision in bringing back the midfielder who is heralded as one of the greatest of his generation.
Even at his time of retirement Scholes' passing radar was up there with the very best in European football and for a player whose game has relied less and less on his mobility as the years have passed, it's unlikely that his ability to spread play at will would have been affected.
United's injury problems and squad depth is another variable to take into account when weighing up the pros and cons of a Scholes return. With the likes of Tom Cleverley and Darren Fletcher on the treatment table and youngsters such as Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison, who are far from ready to be relied upon, in reserve, a short-term injection of Scholes' years of experience doesn't seem a bad idea.
And it is those nearly two decades of performing consistently for title-winning United teams at the top level that many feel will serve an effective purpose as, while he won't be able to maraud up and down the pitch week in week out, given time and space to pick a pass there are few better than Paul Scholes.
The age-old, quite literally in this instance, argument for a player in his late 30's will of course be centred around his ability to perform on a consistent basis in one of the most competitive, and physically demanding, leagues in the world.
A figure of 28.18 per cent collated from the poll proves that there are those that simply believe that, at 37, Sir Alex has made the wrong decision in calling on a player who had previously decided enough was enough at the top level.
A growing majority of Manchester United fans are of the belief that the midfield is still lacking a creative spark - a gap that the addition of Scholes is seemingly not going to plug. Although while many readers have called on a January splurge, the manager's indifference towards the winter window appears to suggest that a Wesley Sneijder or Luka Modric is not forthcoming.
"You'll never win anything with kids" was Alan Hansen's infamous statement that Sir Alex successfully ridiculed with his title-winning sides of yesteryear. With the likes of Pogba and Morrison yet to be given much of a chance, there are those that are calling for the Scot to once again put his faith in the younger generation - as opposed to bringing back a club legend.
And 21.68 per cent of voters have decided to plonk themselves firmly on the fence. With 18 games of a testing Premier League campaign still to go, as well as United's potential progress in the FA Cup and Europa League, it remains to be seen what sort of impact Scholes could have.
As Alex Ochoa from Colombia explained in the comments section, there's always two sides to every story: "Personally I think it's not a bad idea. Paul Scholes will be needed in the squad for experience and leadership which has not been seen in the past three months.
"But obviously Sir Alex needs to stop being stubborn and buy new players - a midfielder that will bring order, discipline and a sense of creativeness."
Follow Stephen Darwin on
By Stephen Darwin
To those that had not seen the news that broke earlier in the day on Sunday, the sight of Paul Scholes occupying a place on the Manchester United bench during the FA Cup third round clash against rivals City must have led to some incessant eye-rubbing.
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It wasn't any kind of trick or illusion, however, as the 37-year-old had made the quite remarkable decision to cut-short his retirement and return for the Red Devils on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Scholes, who replaced Nani after 59 minutes as United held on to pick up a 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium to set up another mouth-watering tie against Liverpool in the fourth round, had seemingly shocked everyone, his team-mates included, as he donned the famous red shirt for the first time, his testimonial aside, in some six months.
So could the club's new No.22 really come to the aid of an injury-ravaged squad as they aim to reclaim the Premier League title or have United made a bad move in their pursuit of further glory? Goal.com invited YOU to decide and here are the results...
| UNITED MADE THE RIGHT DECISION | 50.14% |
With 50.14 per cent of the votes, the vast majority of Goal.com readers who took part in the poll clearly believe that Manchester United have made the correct decision in bringing back the midfielder who is heralded as one of the greatest of his generation.
 STAR COMMENT |
| Inside | Old Trafford "At this stage, Scholesy's return makes everyone happy, except the competition. He fills in where United need it the most. It's cheaper than getting a new signing, and a lot more valuable in terms of a mental boost, experience, and solid elegant play." |
United's injury problems and squad depth is another variable to take into account when weighing up the pros and cons of a Scholes return. With the likes of Tom Cleverley and Darren Fletcher on the treatment table and youngsters such as Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison, who are far from ready to be relied upon, in reserve, a short-term injection of Scholes' years of experience doesn't seem a bad idea.
And it is those nearly two decades of performing consistently for title-winning United teams at the top level that many feel will serve an effective purpose as, while he won't be able to maraud up and down the pitch week in week out, given time and space to pick a pass there are few better than Paul Scholes.
| UNITED MADE THE WRONG DECISION | 28.18% |
| STAR COMMENT |
| Jambalaya | Nigeria "Of course not, he's an old man re-joining a team of old men and kids who don't know what they're doing. Ferguson clearly needs to buy some players in their mid-20s who can do a good job for a few seasons and help these kids like Jones, Smalling and Welbeck. But he won't do that for whatever stupid reason. "Bringing back Scholes is a pathetic move so they can now say 'hey look we got Scholes so we don't have to buy', but in the long term it won't help the club one bit." |
A figure of 28.18 per cent collated from the poll proves that there are those that simply believe that, at 37, Sir Alex has made the wrong decision in calling on a player who had previously decided enough was enough at the top level.
A growing majority of Manchester United fans are of the belief that the midfield is still lacking a creative spark - a gap that the addition of Scholes is seemingly not going to plug. Although while many readers have called on a January splurge, the manager's indifference towards the winter window appears to suggest that a Wesley Sneijder or Luka Modric is not forthcoming.
"You'll never win anything with kids" was Alan Hansen's infamous statement that Sir Alex successfully ridiculed with his title-winning sides of yesteryear. With the likes of Pogba and Morrison yet to be given much of a chance, there are those that are calling for the Scot to once again put his faith in the younger generation - as opposed to bringing back a club legend.
| NOT SURE - NEED TO SEE HOW HE PERFORMS | 21.68% |
And 21.68 per cent of voters have decided to plonk themselves firmly on the fence. With 18 games of a testing Premier League campaign still to go, as well as United's potential progress in the FA Cup and Europa League, it remains to be seen what sort of impact Scholes could have.
As Alex Ochoa from Colombia explained in the comments section, there's always two sides to every story: "Personally I think it's not a bad idea. Paul Scholes will be needed in the squad for experience and leadership which has not been seen in the past three months.
"But obviously Sir Alex needs to stop being stubborn and buy new players - a midfielder that will bring order, discipline and a sense of creativeness."
Follow Stephen Darwin on
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 8 Jan 2012 to 9 Jan 2012
Poll runs from 8 Jan 2012 to 9 Jan 2012
Have Manchester United made the right decision to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement?
Yes - He has still got it and is the player United are missing
50.12%
No - He is a 37-year-old and the team need fresh blood in January
28.19%
Not sure - I need to wait and see how he performs
21.69%
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