Ferguson hails Scholes

, coy over Ozil(PA) Sunday 8 August 2010 Print Email my friend Share

refused to confirm or deny his interest in signing Mesut Ozil following Manchester United's Community Shield victory over Chelsea. The 68-year-old was at Craven Cottage yesterday, where the Werder Bremen playmaker was in action against Fulham in a pre-season friendly.

Ferguson hinted he was an admirer of the 21-year-old - one of the best players at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ - but asked if he was interested in bringing the Germany ace to Old Trafford, he replied cryptically: "I don't know."


I think we've got a great squad. I don't need to add to it. But, as I said, there are a lot of clubs interested in him.Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on the possibility of signing Mesut Ozil


I think a lot of clubs would be interested in Ozil. At the moment, I think we've got a great squad. I don't need to add to it - that's my opinion. I trust them. But, as I said, there are a lot of clubs interested in him."

Fergie impressed by Rooney and Scholes
Ferguson was happy with the Red Devils' performance against Chelsea, which saw them run out 3-1 winners at Wembley. But he was even more pleased with being able to give a number of his players, including Wayne Rooney, a much-needed run-out.

The England striker put his FIFA World Cup misery behind him to impress in a 45-minute cameo that saw him lay on United's opener with an inch-perfect cross for Antonio Valencia. "The making of the goal, marvellous run and first-time ball, I don't think Antonio could've missed it," said Ferguson. "It was a magnificent ball in."

Ferguson was also effusive about Rooney's half-time replacement, Javier Hernandez, who marked his debut with a bizarre goal. The Mexico striker slipped trying to turn in Valencia's cross, and ended up kicking the ball against his own face and into the net.

Salomon Kalou pulled a goal back for 2009/10 double winners Chelsea, who also came close to levelling before substitute Dimitar Berbatov sealed the win in stoppage-time. Ferguson hit out at the critics who have questioned whether the Bulgarian has lived up to his £32m price tag since joining United.

But the United manager saved the biggest plaudits to the evergreen Paul Scholes, who gave a midfield masterclass to earn the man-of-the-match award. Ferguson had to talk the 35-year-old out of retirement at the end of the previous campaign, and admitted today he had also considered putting the midfielder out to pasture.

"This time last season, he's saying to himself, 'this is my last season' - and a lot of people thought that," Ferguson said. "It came across my mind also, simply because he's had a lot of injuries in his career.

"He keeps coming back - it's not easy to do that. It's a phenomenon that he goes out there, becomes man of the match, approaching his 36th birthday. He's just an incredible footballer."

Scholes was partnered by Michael Carrick, who was a shock starter two days after Ferguson had ruled him out for two weeks with an ankle injury. "On Friday, I was certain he was out for two weeks," the Scot said.

"He came in yesterday, says he was fit, wanted to train, trained, and wanted to play. The minute he says he's fit, we had to play him, simply because he needs game time."


It's a phenomenon that he goes out there, becomes man of the match, approaching his 36th birthday. He's just an incredible footballer.Sir Alex Ferguson on Paul Scholes


Paul Scholes impressed in United's midfield, with an impressive ball in the build-up to Valencia's goal arguably the high point. The former England international told Sky Sports: "It was a good game and we're happy with the win. It's more of a pre-season friendly but it's a trophy, we've managed to win it and we're more than happy to do that.

"It's always good to beat Chelsea. They are a quality side who beat us three times last year. That's disappointing but we've got off to the right start this year. We weren't that far off last year - just one point in the league. With more determination this year hopefully we can go one step further."

However, asked if he was expecting a phone call from England coach Fabio Capello, with a view to revisiting his decision to end international career, Scholes said: "I don't think so, no."