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Friday, 14 September 2012

Butt: Scholes is not irreplaceable

Former Manchester United player Nicky Butt believes the Red Devils will be able to replace legendary midfielder Paul Scholes when the 37-year-old finally retires.

Scholes initially retired in 2011 but was tempted out of retirement by manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012 when the Old Trafford outfit suffered an injury crisis and the midfielder has since helped United to numerous crucial victories, with the latest being his match-winning cameo in the Red Devils' comeback 3-2 win over Southampton in their last league game.
Butt, who came through the ranks at Manchester United with Scholes and was team-mates with him for nearly a decade, knows exactly what the former England international brings to the team but has assuaged fears that the Red Devils will not be able to cope without the talismanic midfielder.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester's Red Wednesday programme, Butt said: "I think it's always a worry when such a great player is coming to the end of his career.
"We've seen it in years gone by with Bryan Robson and when Roy [Keane] left as well.
"All these players come to an end and you do worry how we're going to replace them but the one thing about Manchester United and the manager is he does find them.
The former Newcastle United player did admit that players like Scholes were one of a kind; however, Butt has also backed Ferguson to ensure that the centre of United's midfield would not be devoid of quality in the years to come.
"He'll [Ferguson] never find another Scholes and will never find another Keane but he will find players to come into the squad and make whatever shirt number they wear their own and be their own player in their own right," Butt added.
"That's what Sir Alex is excellent at doing and I'm sure he's got one or two up his sleeve for the next couple of years.
"They will be massive boots to fill, the same as with Eric Cantona and Keane and the players I keep mentioning, but somehow he's replaced them with a different kind of player who are top drawer in their own right."
Scholes has only played for Manchester United in his entire career and is poised to make his 700th appearance for the Red Devils when they take on Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in their next Premier League fixture.


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