Reds Unite To Salute Scholes

The influence of Paul Scholes' return from retirement cannot be underestimated, according to his team-mates.

After scoring the killer second goal in United's 2-0 win over QPR, the veteran midfielder extended the Reds' Premier League haul to 34 of the last 36 available points - a run which coincided with Scholes' shock comeback in January.

"A lot's been said about him coming back, whether it has been good or bad for us," Rio Ferdinand told Sky Sports, after picking up the midfielder's man-of-the-match award on his behalf.

"But you can see in the results we've had since he's been back, the influence he's had. He's a fantastic player. Not only on the games you see out here but in training and around the training ground. He's an example for all the young players at the club."

Michael Carrick, meanwhile, is hopeful that the 37-year-old will prolong his playing career by a further year and remain in Sir Alex Ferguson's squad for next season.

"We all know how good he is and what he brings to the team on and off the pitch and around the training ground," the midfielder told MUTV. "To come straight into the team and play like he did was amazing, really, and he's just carried it on. He's got a lot of games left in him."