Scholes operates in a different world

I read a remarkable stat about Paul Scholes's return:

"Scholes has completed almost 93% of his 813 passes that he has attempted in 12 league games, all but 3 % of which have come in the opposition half."

It's not the accuracy that amazes me - whenever someone brings up Barcelona's passing stats as they romp to victory I want to point out that for the last twenty minutes, at 4-0 up, they made 4oo 5-yard passes that an eight year old would complete 99.9% of the time - but where on the pitch Scholes makes his passes. If there is anything young players should take from the 37-year-old's game, it is how far forward he takes and passes on possession.

The return of Scholes has been called desperate and a master stroke. At first I was hesitant to pile on the plaudits because Manchester United are so strong and look to use the wings for their attacks so often that a central midfielder who simply shifts the ball sideways and on to the better players could easily be carried in most games (see Anderson, Carrick), but the fact Scholes is operating in his opponent's half shows he is contributing massively.

Leon Brittain and his Swansea team mates have been lauded for their passing style, and comments have been made about Brittain being in the top 5 for passing accuracy in Europe. But this is where statistics can be misleading - when you operate with a three man midfield, and pass from the back, you can rack up lots of short but meaningless and ineffective passes as you slowly move the opposition around. It can wear the opponent out but until you get into the final third it lacks any threat and can be very frustrating, leaving a team searching for a faster tempo.

To go back to United, Michael Carrick strikes me as someone who should look to replicate Scholes's game. It may be too late for the ex-West Ham and Tottenham midfielder, but whenever I watch him I get the feeling there is so much more to come, but the player himself is reluctant to put his mark on the game. You never hear the commentator say 'Carrick is dominating midfield'. Carrick makes too many square and backwards passes, doesn't look to create enough goal scoring opportunities, and even when he does play it simple he is a fraction slow, and attacks can stutter.

The fact Scholes has come in and done so well shows that Carrick has struggled to take up the mantle in the absence of Scholes.

It's not only United who have struggled with Scholes, England are another example of a team missing central midfielders who will command the ball in the opponent's half. Too often England moves involve the centre backs and central midfielders passing the ball in their own half, under no pressure from the opposition, before becoming desperate and pumping the ball forward.

Everyone knows about Paul Scholes and his ability on the ball, but where he picks the ball and how he passes it on, with pace, impetus and direction, is something the next generation of England playmakers would do well to copy.

Fergie Still Has Plenty of Rebuilidng To Do

Such are the exalted pressures placed on managers these days, second place is simply the first of the losers. Last season's runners-up, Manchester United, have enjoyed finishing first more often than not, and Sir Alex Ferguson will not except finishing second once again. However, if his team are to succeed at home and abroad, they still have lots of rebuilding to do.

Ultimately, United did not finish that far off top spot, but it could be argued that they faced the poorest Chelsea side in the last few years. Ignore the OAP-quips, Chelsea had a good team but they lacked pace and creativity on the flanks, Lampard had a poor start to the season, Anelka a poor finish to the season. Obi Mikel has yet to control midfield like Makelele, Essien was out injured for most of the season and Cech still looked suspect. Both Chelsea and United were undone at home in the Champions League, and United missed plenty of opportunities to take an unassailable lead in the title race.

Ferguson has made more moves in the summer transfer window than anyone so far, snapping up Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling. Hernandez certainly looked lively for Mexico, bagging a good couple of goals. How quickly he can settle in to the Premiership we will have to wait to find out, but he does seem to have talent.

Smalling, for a fee of over £10 million pounds, had impressed in a game for Fulham against local rivals Chelsea, but since then has looked a little shaky for a player heading to a club of United's stature. Perhaps Ferguson hopes to mould him into a world class defender, rather than drop him straight in the deep end, but with fitness concerns over Rio Ferdinand and transfer rumours surrounding Vidic, Smalling may get more games than either he or this manager expected.

By and large, United's defence was pretty solid. Edwin van der Sar continues to perform to a high standard, although Fergie's dalliance with Ben Foster as a future number 1 did not work, unsurprisingly in my opinion. So maybe there is scope for a new, top class number 1. Someone like Manuel Neuer, a better keeper than the World Cup has suggested, could be ideal.

Upfront, Wayne Rooney was on fire, but its always easier for a striker to score when he is the lone recipient of the team's chances. When partnered with Berbatov or Owen, who both failed to produce to the high standards demanded at Old Trafford, the Englishman looked less assured. Berbatov has failed to be the target man for Rooney to play off of, and Owen has inevitably found injuries blocking his path. Mama Biram Diouf looks to be the next Manucho, but Hernandez and Marcheda could help beef up the attacking options.

Its in midfield where the greatest problems lie. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs edge nearer retirement, and in Scholes' case especially there have been times when the old maestros have simply looked out of the loop. This would be fine if others had stepped up to the plate, but apart from Darren Fletcher who continues to impress, there is a real lack of quality.

Ji-Sung Park could find himself propelled into a regular slot. Trusted by Fergie to play in the big games, perhaps its time to start becoming a first eleven regular, if only because his midfield rivals have played poorly, at best.

Michael Carrick flatters to deceive for club and country. His passing ability is pleasing on the eye, but is not incisive enough. He lacks bite in the tackle, can be overrun and outplayed by quality opponents, and goes missing far too much. Compared to Scholes in his prime, Carrick looks like a lost choirboy. Anderson looks at best average, at worst a headless chicken. For someone costing near £20 million, he has failed to provide value for money on any level. I do feel, however, that Ferguson has deployed the Brazilian too deep, and should allow the bustling midfielder to operate further up the pitch. The need for a playmaker has probably clouded Ferguson's mind.

Darren Gibson provides squad depth, but not excellence against premier opposition. Will he dictate midfield against Inter or Real or Barca? The forgotten man, Owen Hargreaves, has the ability and United have definitely missed him. The 2009 Champions League final was a prime example, but his rehabilitation into a consistent first team player is still a long way off. 2 minutes at the end of the season does not count, and I will not believe he is ready until he can play a full month's worth of action.

Obviously, the Glazers ave restricted the transfer budget to some extent, but Ferguson still has a decent kitty to spend. The problem is, players like Smalling and Hernandez may become top class players and first team regulars in the future, but United need a world beater in midfield now. The supply of such players is short, and prices will be extremely high, but it's a price worth paying if United want to go the extra step and win the Premiership and Champions League again.