Two master strokes from the two veteran managers?

Date 12/01/12 - Legends, Midfielders, Rivals - Author
scholes_united_22

Two or three weeks ago, if you told me that there was the chance that Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes could be playing against each other for Arsenal and United respectively in the League fixture on January 22nd, I’d expected to have seen men in white coats following closely behind you.

Who’d have imagined this a few weeks ago, but it’s now a very possible situation after Ferguson and Wenger turned to players who many felt had paid their dues to their clubs. Desperation on the clubs’ part? Hard to say really. If I’m totally honest, it smells of more desperation on United’s part if anything, seeing that Henry is still playing competitively, albeit at a lower standard.

Scholes is being drafted into a United team which is severely lacking central midfielders. He was a little rusty understandably at the Etihad last weekend, and I guess we’d all have been raging if City had managed to get back into the fixture after Scholes played a major part in the build up to City’s second goal. In that respect, you feel that Scholes’ errors could be more costly to United than Henry’s to Arsenal, purely based on the positions of both players.

One thing for sure is that the fans and squads involved are clearly boosted by the return of their iconic players. It’s almost typical of Fergie and Wenger. Seeing the opportunity and really surprising the rest of the League. I couldn’t help but laugh when Harry Redknapp was asked in a press conference how he was going to combat the prospect of playing against Henry in the upcoming North London Derby, as the Spurs manager sat back and said, ‘Sure we’re getting Glen Hoddle back next week!’

There are some reasons that Scholes’ return could perhaps taint his legacy at United, or is that even possible I hear the other side of my brain saying. The way he ended last season, with a Premier League medal, a Champions League final stage, albeit with a runners-up medal.

Down South, Henry is already continuing his Arsenal style with what has to be said was a typical Henry goal against Leeds in the Carling Cup. I guess it was about time he got the goal though, been 5 years since he scored for the Gunners!

Henry will return to the MLS in late February while Scholes has revealed that he will be available for selection till the end of the season, and when you consider that Carrick, Anderson and Gibson are just about our only fit central midfielders, Scholes’ addition is a big boost.

Exciting times ahead as the season is beginning to get a little nervy. Can City hang on at the top because there’s signs that they’re teetering and who better to take up the reigns than the men who’ve bee over course and distance!