• Premier League

Class of 92 take charge at United

Paul Scholes has returned to Manchester United as part of interim manager Ryan Giggs' coaching staff.

The midfielder, who retired for a second time last summer, becomes the fourth member of United's Class of 92 to help fill the void left by David Moyes' sacking on Tuesday.

Player-coach Giggs has stepped up to assume control until a permanent successor is named for next season - he has been ruled out of the running to stay in charge next season - while Nicky Butt, who was working with the Under-19 team, is the Welshman's assistant.

Phil Neville, who was part of Moyes' backroom team, has remained at Old Trafford after the former Everton manager departed with his assistant Steve Round and long-term ally Jimmy Lumsden.

Scholes' reintroduction to the first team picture brings an interesting subtext to the Moyes saga. He has remained close to Giggs since leaving United and made an outspoken debut as a TV pundit when the Welshman was struggling to get a game under Moyes.

It's great to see Paul Scholes here at the Aon Training Complex today, assisting Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville. #mufc— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 23, 2014

He said of United and Moyes last month: "There's a few areas that need addressing. You could say that they've been looking for a central midfielder for quite a few years now and maybe haven't quite come up with the answer.

"Moyes is only nine months into the job, though. You have to stand by him. OK, he's made a couple of signings that haven't quite worked out yet.

One last dubious record for Moyes

David Moyes was sacked on Tuesday © Getty Images

• In a fitting final blow, David Moyes' sacking ensures this is the first season in which 10 Premier League managers have left their clubs before the end of the season.
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"It's difficult for a new manager coming in. He needs time to get to know his players and a big problem is that he doesn't know his best team yet."

Scholes' return might also make life interesting for Marouane Fellaini, who was Moyes' £27.5 million marque signing last summer and has flopped.

"He's not been great, has he?" Scholes added. "You have to admit that. For a central midfielder at Manchester United for £27 million, I'm expecting a few goals at least."

Scholes, who also felt Moyes had failed to maintain the infamous United team spirit, has coached at United in an informal capacity after both of his playing retirements, in 2011 and 2013, but not in recent months.

The 39-year-old played 718 times for United, putting him behind only Giggs and Sir Bobby Charlton in the list of United's all-time appearance makers.

Between them, Scholes, Giggs, Neville and Butt have played almost 2500 games for United.

All four, along with Gary Neville, have agreed a deal to buy the local non-league club Salford City.

The Class of 92: (from left) Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville are in charge at Manchester United while David Beckham and Gary Neville remain outside the club © PA Photos

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