Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has hit back at comments from former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes that the Gunners are "a million miles away" from challenging for the Barclays Premier League title.
Arsenal tackle a rampant Manchester City side - who won 3-0 at Old Trafford in midweek - on Saturday tea-time following the disappointment of conceding a late own goal in a 2-2 draw against Swansea.
That match fuelled the pessimism which intensified following Arsenal's 6-0 humiliation at Chelsea in Wenger's 1,000th match in charge.
Wenger has experienced another chastening week at Arsenal
In his role as a TV pundit, Scholes launched a fierce attack on Arsenal under Wenger, claiming they had "midfield players with no discipline" and adding that "there are no leaders" at the north London club.
Wenger, though, insists his squad - which has been hit by injuries to key men like Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey - have what it takes to compete with the best.
"If six points (from the top) is a million miles away, then I don't know what the translation from a mile into a point is," Wenger said on Friday morning.
Scholes was damning in his assessment of Arsenal on Tuesday night
"Everybody has opinions, people who have managed zero games have opinions and we have to accept that. What you live with is what you do on the pitch, and all the rest is only opinions.
"We are in a society where there are thousands of opinions every day, and some go for you and some go against you. You have to live with that."
Scholes scored a 2004 FA Cup semi-final winner against Arsenal at Villa Park
Former England international Scholes also questioned the development of Wilshere, who had yet to go onto the "next level". Wenger, unsurprisingly, also rejected those claims.
The Gunners boss said: "You cannot say that, Jack Wilshere is an exceptional player for me who has been handicapped by many injuries.
"Once Jack is back and consistently on the pitch, he will prove everybody wrong about that because he is an exceptional player - and Scholes knows that as well."
Paul Scholes, he scores goals
Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates his goal(01 of60)
25 Jan 1997: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates his goal during the FA cup fourth round tie between Manchester United and Wimbledon at Old Traford in Manchester. \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
David Beckham and Paul Scholes of Manchester United(02 of60)
28 Mar 1998: David Beckham and Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrate during the FA Carling Premiership match against Wimbledon at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. United won 2-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Mark Thompson /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes(03 of60)
11 Aug 1999: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates his goal with team-mate David Beckham during the FA Carling Premiership match against Sheffield Wednesday played at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. The match finished in a comprehensive 4-0win to Manchester United. \ Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs of Man Utd(04 of60)
25 Aug 1999: Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs of Manchester United celebrate the first goal during the match between Coventry City and Manchester United in the FA Carling Premiership at Highfield Road, Coventry. Manchester United won the game 2-1. \ MandatoryCredit: Phil Cole /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes(05 of60)
8 Dec 1999: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates a goal during the Champions League game against Valencia at Old Trafford, Manchester, England. Manchester United won 3 - 0. \ Mandatory Credit: Michael Steele /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes(06 of60)
25 Mar 2000: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring in the FA Carling Premiership match against Bradford City at Valley Parade in Bradford, England. Manchester United won the match 4-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Michael Steele/Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes(07 of60)
1 Apr 2000: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates his goal against West Ham United during the FA Carling Premiership match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Manchester United won 7-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Michael Steele /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes(08 of60)
9 Sep 2000: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates during the FA Carling Premiership match against Sunderland played at Old Trafford, in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match 3-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Phil Cole /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Man Utd v Panathinaikos x(09 of60)
7 Mar 2001: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring with Roy Keane during the match between Panathinaikos and Manchester United in Group A of the UEFA Champions League at the Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece. Digital Image. Mandatory Credit:Laurence Griffiths/ALLSPORT (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes(10 of60)
25 Sep 2001: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League match against Deportivo La Coruna played at the Estadio de Riazor in La Coruna, Spain. \ Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) celebrates af(11 of60)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) celebrates after scoring the opening goal while Arsenal's French Robert Pires (L) looks on during the Premier League match at Highbury in London 25 November 2001. AFP PHOTO Adrian DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Man Utd v Newcastle X(12 of60)
2 Jan 2002: Paul Scholes of Man Utd celebrates with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after scoring the third goal during the Manchester United v Newcastle United FA Barclaycard Premiership match at Old Trafford, Manchester. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
Leeds v Man Utd X(13 of60)
30 Mar 2002: Paul Scholes of United celebrates scoring with team mate Roy Keane during the Leeds United v Manchester United FA Barclaycard Premiership game at Elland Road in Leeds. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Man U X(14 of60)
20 Apr 2002: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the first goal during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, London. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes cele scoring first(15 of60)
LONDON - SEPTEMBER 28: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the equilizer during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Charlton Athletic and Manchester United at The Valley in London on September 28, 2002. (Photo By Phil Cole/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates after(16 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates after scoring his team's 1st goal against Newcastle City during their Premiership clash at Old Trafford in Manchester 23 November 2002. AFP photo by Paul Barker (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates with R(17 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates with Ryan Giggs after making it 2-nil against Arsenal during their Premiership clash at Old Trafford in Manchester 07 December 2002. AFP PHOTO/PAUL BARKER (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Scholes celebrates the winning goal(18 of60)
MANCHESTER - JANUARY 1: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the Manchester United v Sunderland FA Barclaycard Premiership match played at Old Trafford in Manchester, England on January 1, 2003. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the equalising goal(19 of60)
BLACKBURN - JANUARY 22: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the equalising goal during the Worthington Cup semi-final second leg match between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United held on January 22, 2003 at Ewood Park, in Blackburn, England. Manchester United won the match 3-1, winning the tie 4-2 on aggregate. (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes of Manchester United Celebrates First Goal(20 of60)
NEWCASTLE - APRIL 12: Paul Scholes of Manchester United turns to celebrate his first goal against Newcastle United during FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park in Newcastle, England on April 12, 2003. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates (21 of60)
MANCHESTER - APRIL 19: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers held on April 19, 2003 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match 3-1. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal of the match with team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy(22 of60)
LONDON - APRIL 27: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal of the match with team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United held on April 27, 2003 at White Hart Lane, in London. Manchester United won the match 2-0. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal of the match(23 of60)
LONDON - APRIL 27: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal of the match during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United held on April 27, 2003 at White Hart Lane, in London. Manchester United won the match 2-0. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebra(24 of60)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates after scoring to make it 2-0 against Birmingham City during today's Barclaycard Premiership clash at Old Trafford, 04 October 2003. AFP PHOTO/ Paul BARKER (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebra(25 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates after scoring the opening goal to make it 1-nil against Manchester City during today's Premiership clash at Old Trafford in Manchester 13 December 2003. AFP PHOTO PAUL BARKER (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Manchester City(26 of60)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Paul Scholes of Man Utd celebrates with Ruud Van Nistelrooy after scoring the third goal during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on December 13, 2003 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (L) cel(27 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes (L) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal to make it 3-1 against Manchester City during today's Premiership clash at Old Trafford, Manchester, 13 December 2003. AFP PHOTO/Paul Barker (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United(28 of60)
BOLTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 7: Paul Scholes celebrates his goal with Darren Fletcher during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Reebok Stadium on January 7, 2004 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Manchester City(29 of60)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Paul Scholes of Man Utd celebrates with John O'Shea after scoring the first goal during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on February 14, 2004 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v FC Porto(30 of60)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 9: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and FC Porto at Old Trafford on March 9, 2004 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
SOCCER Arsenal v Man Utd(31 of60)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates scoring the opening goal against Arsenal during the FA Cup semi final at Villa Park, Birmingham. THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE. (credit:PA)
Manchester United v Charlton Athletic(32 of60)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Paul Scholes of Manchester celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester United and Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford, on November 20, 2004 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United(33 of60)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates his first goal with team mate Roy Keane, during the Barclays Premiership match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United at the Hawthorns Stadium, on November 27, 2004 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CORRECTIION Manchester United's Paul Sch(34 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: CORRECTIION Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) celebrates with Rio Ferdinand after scoring against Crystal Palace to make it 1-0 during today's Premiership football clash at Old Trafford, Manchester, 18 December 2004. AFP photo by Paul Barker No Telcos, Website uses subject to subscription with FAPL on WWW.faplweb.com (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) cel(35 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) celebrates with Wayne Rooney (L) after scoring against Crystal Palace to make it 3-2 during today's Premiership football clash at Old Trafford, Manchester 18 December 2004. AFP photo by Paul Barker No Telcos, Website uses subject to subscription with FAPL on WWW.faplweb.com (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebra(36 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates after scoring against Bolton to make it 2-0 during today's Premiership football clash at Old Trafford, Manchester, 26 December 2004. AFP photo by Paul Barker (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Aston Villa(37 of60)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the third goal against Aston Villa during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on January 22, 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (centre(38 of60)
CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes (centre, L) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (C) celebrate as Alan Shearer (R) of Newcastle United awaits to restart the game after the third goal during the F.A. Cup semi-final match at The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff 17 April 2005. Manchester United won the game 4-1 to advance to the final against Arsenal. AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) cel(39 of60)
Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 against West Brom during today's Premiereship match at Old Trafford, 26 December 2005 in Manchester. AFP Photo / Paul Barker (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UEFA Champions League: Manchester United v FC Copenhagen(40 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 17: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates with team mates as he scores the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Manchester United and FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford on October 17, 2006 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebra(41 of60)
manchester, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates beating Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina and defender Sami Hyyppia to score during their English Premiership soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, 22 October 2006. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES Mobile and website use of domestic English football pictures subject to subscription of a license with Football Association Premier League (FAPL) tel : +44 207 298 1656. For newspapers where the football content of the printed and electronic versions are identical, no licence is necessary. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) cel(42 of60)
NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes (R) celebrates his goal with Darren Fletcher during their English Premiership footall match against Newcastle at St James' Park, Newcastle, England, 01 January 2007. AFP PHOTO Mobile and website use of domestic English football pictures subject to subscription of a license with Football Association Premier League (FAPL) tel : +44 207 298 1656. For newspapers where the football content of the printed and electronic versions are identical, no licence is necessary. (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United(43 of60)
LONDON - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the third goal of the game during the Barclays Premiership match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on February 4, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (2nd L)(44 of60)
Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM: Manchester United's Paul Scholes (2nd L) celebrates scoring against Blackburn Rovers during their English Premiership football match at Old Trafford, Manchester, North-west England, 31 March 2007. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES Mobile and website use of domestic English football pictures subject to subscription of a license with Football Association Premier League (FAPL) tel : +44 207 298 1656. For newspapers where the football content of the printed and electronic versions are identical, no licence is necessary. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United footballer Paul Schole(45 of60)
Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes (R) celebrates his goal with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo (L) as they play against Portsmouth at Fratton Park in Portsmouth, in southern England, 15 August 2007. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA Mobile and website use of domestic English football pictures are subject to obtaining a Photographic End User Licence from Football DataCo Ltd Tel : +44 (0) 207 864 9121 or e-mail accreditations@football-dataco.com - applies to Premier and Football League matches. (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Semi Final(46 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 29: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona at Old Trafford on April 29, 2008 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's English midfielder P(47 of60)
Manchester United's English midfielder Paul Scholes (C) celebrates scoring against Barcelona during their UEFA Champions League second leg football match on April 29, 2008 at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Fulham - Premier League(48 of60)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 18: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on February 18, 2009 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Manchester United - Premier League(49 of60)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United at The Stadium of Light on April 11, 2009 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebr(50 of60)
Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates his goal during the Champions League Group B soccer match between Besiktas vs Mancester United at Inonu stadium in Istanbul on September 15, 2009.AFP PHOTO/MUSTAFA OZER (Photo credit should read MUSTAFA OZER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
West Ham United v Manchester United - Premier League(51 of60)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Paul Scholes of Manchester United (C) celebrates scoring their first goal with Wes Brown (L) during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at Upton Park on December 5, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Manchester City - Carling Cup Semi Final(52 of60)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Carling Cup Semi Final second leg match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 27, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's English midfielder P(53 of60)
Manchester United's English midfielder Paul Scholes (R) celebrates scoring against AC Milan during their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match on February 16, 2010 at San Siro stadium in Milan. AFP PHOTO / Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's English midfielder P(54 of60)
Manchester United's English midfielder Paul Scholes (2nd R) celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, central England, on March 6, 2010. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's English midfielder P(55 of60)
Manchester United's English midfielder Paul Scholes (R) celebrates scoring the late winning goal as Manchester City's Irish midfielder Stephen Ireland (L) shows his disappointment during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the City Of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, north-west England on April 17, 2010. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fulham v Manchester United - Premier League(56 of60)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Damien Duff of Fulham (L) looks dejected as Paul Scholes of Manchester United (R) celebrates with John O'Shea as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on August 22, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers - Premier League(57 of60)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford on January 14, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (L) cel(58 of60)
Manchester United's Paul Scholes (L) celebrates scoring during their Barclays Premier League football match against Norwich City at Carrow Road, Norwich, England on 26 February. AFP PHOTO/Olly Greenwood FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional license required for any commercial/ promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read OLLY GREENWOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United's English midfielder P(59 of60)
Manchester United's English midfielder Paul Scholes (L) celebrates after scoring the second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on April 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MANUTD-WIGAN(60 of60)
Manchester United's English midfielder Paul Scholes, playing his 700th game for United, celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on September 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty Images)