Disaster Looming For Scholes

Paul Scholes could miss out on the Champions League final again if he received a yellow card in the second leg of our semi-final versus Milan.

We must hope he'll be careful enough not to collect a devastating booking again. The red card he has received in Rome means the yellow cards he had collected during the group stage are still out there, threatening him with another disappointment.

Of course, United have a huge task ahead them so our first concern should be progressing but I seriously believe that Fergie should not include Scholes in the starting line-up. He's useless when it comes to defending, we all know that and we will hardly need his vision to break down Milan as our advantage means they must attack us.

If Scholes is on the pitch, he's almost certain to make a rash tackle sooner or later and missing another Champions League final would be deeply unjust in the case of such a player. Anyway, the team that started against Roma at Old Trafford aptly proved they are more than good at counter-attacks so if we really get Rio or Gary or perhaps both fit then I think Scholes should be dropped and United should use Fletcher and Carrick to shield the defence and deploy Smith as a lone striker.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze both carry the risk of being suspended for the final but that's not such a major concern. As for Ronaldo, he just has to keep his mouth shut and concentrate on playing. We may hope that when Oddo attempts to kick him off the park, he won't be booked for diving.

In the case of Heinze: well, I can't see how would he avoid a booking. But he won't be needed in the final as Rio, Vida and Gary will be fit as things stand. And Gaby is not the type of player who thinks twice before making a challenge...

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