• Premier League

Scholes adds to Sneijder momentum

Paul Scholes retired at the end of last season © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Inter slam door on Sneijder move to United
  
• News: Sir Alex plays down talk of Sneijder move
  
• News: Confident Inter state Sneijder will play in Super Cup
  
• Profile: Wesley Sneijder

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has talked up the abilities of the club's reported target Wesley Sneijder, labelling his potential successor at Old Trafford a "brilliant" player.

Scholes hung up his boots at the end of last season after an illustrious 17-year career with the Red Devils, but his retirement left a huge void in the heart of Sir Alex Ferguson's midfield.

The United boss is expected to sign a replacement for Scholes before the summer is out and Inter Milan playmaker Sneijder has been widely tipped to make a switch from the San Siro to the Premier League. The Daily Mirror even claims United have agreed a fee for the former Real Madrid star.

Scholes, now part of United's coaching staff, has been impressed with the Dutch maestro's displays in recent years. "Yes, Sneijder's brilliant," Scholes told MUTV. "He's been brilliant for the last year or so with Inter Milan and Holland.

"I don't think it probably worked out as well as he would have liked at Real Madrid but he's a top player. I'm sure there's a lot of clubs who will be after him if he is available."

But while Sneijder would offer United a world-class option in midfield, Scholes feels that the club already have a host of capable youngsters, who will be hungry to make the step up to the first team.

"We've got a lot of young talent as well, people like Tom Cleverley coming back from Wigan, Paul Pogba's another good player and another good midfielder in the youth team set-up," Scholes said. "It's very difficult to single people out because there were that many in that youth team that were brilliant last year. Ryan Tunnicliffe was sensational in midfield every time I saw him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.