| MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS

Scholes back Sunday

Paul Scholes will be back for Sunday's clash between United and Aston Villa.

The midfielder is a cornerstone of the quest for a 20th title, since he was lacing up the spikes in January. It was not the defeat at Wigan on Wednesday, replaced in midfield byRyan Giggs alongside Michael Carrick.

"Scholesy was struck Wednesday. He demonstrated his influence since his return. Wedid the right thing by letting it blow Wednesday. He will play Sunday," said Sir Alex at his press conference before the match .

The manager did not want to bounce on the new episode of the war of nerves initiated by Manchester City, whose coach Roberto Mancini had said after his team's victoryagainst West Brom they could not fill the five points separated the Citizens of the Red Devils at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

"I think Roberto Mancini has probably picked the wrong time for this event. There are stillfive days. The Premier League is fascinating, but our experience will help us. We focus on Sunday's game."

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini calling on spirit of ’68 Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1491198_manchester-city-boss-roberto-mancini-calling-on-spirit-of-68

Roberto Mancini wants his team to prove it is the best City have had since the great title-winning side of 1968, writes Stuart Brennan. The Blues boss insists that Wednesday night’s revival against West Brom was ‘too late’ to make real in-roads on United’s lead at the top. But he wants his team to stage a strong finish and end the season with a better record than the 1976-77 team which finished second to Liverpool, with his assistant Brian Kidd top goalscorer. Four more points from the last five games would surpass that and Mancini (pictured) feels that would underline the progress his team has made since last season. The manager made that point to his players after the 4-0 win over the Baggies, saying: “I congratulated them on the performance and said that, even if we don’t win this championship, it is important we finish well so that we can have the best performance by this club in 44 years, since the team that won the title in 1968. “We played more like we used to play, but it’s too late.

Super Paul Scholes can be the saviour for England as well as Manchester United, claim Reds young guns Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1491197_super-paul-scholes-can-be-the-saviour-for-england-as-well-as-manchester-united-claim-reds-young-guns

Paul Scholes is being urged to repeat his United retirement U-turn and make an England comeback. The veteran midfielder sparked the Reds’ Premier League title charge after changing his mind about calling time on his Old Trafford career in January. The champions are unbeaten in his eight league starts since and have taken 34 points from 36 available in the matches in which he has appeared. And after United stumbled without him against Wigan on Wednesday, Reds young guns Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have highlighted how important Scholes is to the the leaders’ title mission – and told him he should join them at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine with England in the summer. “He’s a terrific player and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went to the Euros,” said 20-year-old defender Jones of the man who last played for England in 2004. “I remember playing in his testimonial at the start of the season. It was the first time I had played with him and I thought he was unbelievable. “When you see him in training and the things he does, it’s just a joke. He is like a magnet for the ball. Title race explodes back to life as Manchester City sparkle and Manchester United stumble Sir Alex Ferguson urges Manchester United to bounce back from shock Wigan loss “He is always there to receive the ball, he is always there to support play, his general all-round play is just unbelievable. “He has been terrific for us and I don’t see why he couldn’t do the same for England. “I think if you are clever enough and you read the game well enough, I don’t think age is a problem. “I think he probably would have the same influence on England as he has had for United. “He came into the United team and everyone immediately looked to him, so I can’t see why he couldn’t do that with England.” Smalling believes whoever is appointed to succeed Fabio Capello before the Euros should make it a priority to persuade the Old Trafford talisman to make an international return. “He is unique,” said Smalling, 21. “You can see when there are moments in the game when it is all rushed, he settles it down when he gets the ball. He has the ability to dictate. “Come the summer there may well be calls for him to be included in the squad because he is a player in great form and I’m sure any England manager would want that.”