came on to steady the tempo of games and help close out narrow league victories. His opener in United’s 3-0 victory over Fulham in February 2009 – a game he dominated – proved he hasn’t lost his deadly ability to score from distance. Carrick’s corner found Scholes in a familiar position at the edge of the area, and he rolled back the years to thunder in a 25-yard volley that was simply too hot for Mark Schwarzer to handle. He followed that with a vintage header away at Sunderland in April 2009, and, in his 600th game for the Reds, delivered a masterclass in ball retention against Portsmouth ten days later. He went on to claim his ninth title medal as

United sealed a hat-trick of league titles. Little wonder he was rewarded with a one-year contract extension in April 2009, taking him through to June 2011.

While Scholes questioned his own contribution to the United cause midway through the 2009/10 campaign, he went on to show he remains a hugely important cog in the Reds' well-oiled machine thanks to a host of majestic midfield displays. His habit of bagging important goals clearly hadn't deserted him either - just ask Manchester City. His strikes against the Blues, Besiktas and Wolves (his 100th Premier League goal) were all winners, and his contributions against Milan in