“To replace a great player like that would be hard for anyone.”

As he enters his final season, Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that he faces an impossible task in replacing Paul Scholes.

Scholes retired at the end of the 10/11 season, and whilst United got off to a good start to the 11/12 season the team felt his absence in the long run. His return in January coincided with United picking up form, and we almost saw a fairytale ending to the story, but United were pipped to the title by Man City on the final day of the season.

Now Scholes, as well as Ryan Giggs, is entering into his ultimate season and Sir Alex knows that he faces the unenviable task of replacing the finest player this country has produced in the past 20 years as he explained to ManUtd.Com:

“A year ago, he was coaching my Reserves team.

“Now he’s back playing and everybody attached to United is absolutely delighted because he’s such a fantastic player.

“In the long term, trying to replace Paul is a different issue all together. It’s going to be very, very difficult. To replace a great player like that would be hard for anyone.”