Scholes impressed by new United crop

Paul Scholes played some 676 times for Manchester United and has been labelled as one of the greatest players to wear the famous red shirt.

After retiring at the end of last season, the former England man believes he made the right decision to call time on his career, despite watching midfielder Ryan Giggs continue to shine for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men at the age of 37.

“For the first month or so I didn’t (miss playing). But once I went back into training and seeing the lads training, I am starting to miss it a bit now,” Scholes said.

“Whether I could have gone on for another year? I don’t know. It’s hard when you’ve been doing something for 18, 19 years, it’s hard to just give up. I felt I made the right decision and that’s that.”

Ferguson reinforced his playing stocks in the summer, bringing in former Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.

Scholes has been impressed by the new recruits and how the new-look team has continued United’s legacy, currently sitting on top of the table as they look to defend their English Premier League title.

“The pace in which they’re playing the game, they’ve just looked too quick and too clever for every team they’ve come up against. Tom Cleverley – before his injury – was fantastic, hopefully he’ll be back soon,” Scholes said.

“The biggest, pleasing part has probably been Phil Jones, the way he’s stepped in. He can play centre half, he can play right back and he can play in central midfield.”

“He’s such a powerful lad and the confidence he’s shown, he really is a good addition.”

“Ashley Young, as well, has come in and fitted in really well, as if he’s just been here five or six years really. I think there are a lot of positive things.”

“The lads have managed to make a great start to the season.”

Scholes also played alongside want-away Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, during the Argentine’s two-season stay in the red half of Manchester.

And Scholes believes his former team-mate will regret refusing to come on as a second-half substitute during City’s UEFA Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

“He was City’s best player by far last season and scored a lot of goals. With him saying in the summer he wanted to leave, he’s probably upset the manager a bit and the manager has chosen to leave him on the bench and prefer other players,” he said.

“Carlos has obviously got his feelings, he’ll probably regret what he did one day. If he’s not playing it definitely makes City a weaker team.”