“Like Xavi with Barcelona at the minute, so Paul is to us.”

Whilst some aren’t enthused with Paul Scholes return, at Old Trafford there is a sense of joy that he decided to cut short his retirement and return to action.

Scholes’ skill and quality is undeniable, even at this age, and it wouldn’t be hyperbolic to proclaim him one of the best midfielders in the world.

So who better for a young midfielder to learn his trade from?

Tom Cleverley is highly rated at Old Trafford and whilst some saw him as Scholes replacement early in the season, Cleverley is very much his own man.

But that doesn’t mean he isn’t willing to learn at the feet of the man he calls ‘the best midfielder in England for the past 15 years’.

Speaking to MUTV, Cleverley stated:

“I can learn a lot from Paul.

“He has been the best midfielder in the country for the last 15 years.

“Like Xavi with Barcelona at the minute, so Paul is to us.

“He is a great player and gives me good competition for a place in the side.”

Cleverley’s debut season at Old Trafford has been blighted by injury and after a bright start it appears he will have to start from scratch, but he isn’t fazed by this as he feels he is fully ready for action:

“It has been a bit stop-start.

“I don’t want to get the tag of being injury prone, I have just been a bit unlucky.

“The knock I got against Ajax was just something else compared to what I have been out for the rest of the season with.

“Now I am fully ready.”