Manchester United Solve Midfield Problem

Manchester United have once again solved the problematic prospect of not having Paul Scholes in the midfield, by getting Paul Scholes to stay in midfield.

The 37 year-old midfielder announced his retirement from playing duties at the end of last season on the 31st May 2011, to begin a coaching career with United.

However, he reversed that decision in January after admitting to Sir Alex Ferguson that he had made a mistake, and slotted right back into the United midfield for 20 games of United's 2011/12 season.

Despite turning 38 in November, Scholes will play on for yet another season with the club where he has now amassed an astonishing 696 appearances. Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the news:

"It's been done. I’ve spoken to him and he’s staying. I’m delighted. He knew he’d made a mistake. He now realises that if he plays 25 or 30 games next season, they’ll be of real quality. We know our player very well. We’ve had him since he was a kid and we know how to use him.”

His passing is still as precise as ever, his composure on the ball still as ice cool, and his vision very much remains a key asset to both him and the Manchester United midfield.

His presence will retain the creativity and reliability which United have come to know and enjoy and to a certain extent rely on, and although he is likely to play a smaller role in the United first team next season with a midfield signing highly likely, Paul Scholes will remain a huge and influential presence yet again.

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Another Injury In the Arsenal Midfield

Arsenal's official website notes, "When he's fit and firing on all cylinders, [he] is one of Arsenal's most dynamic players." It is just unfortunate then, that Abou Diaby, Arsenal's "dynamic" French midfielder has been tormented by injuries throughout his career, and having recovered from surgery on his ankle in the summer, has suffered another setback.

He missed Arsenal's 0 - 4 win at Wigan on Saturday after making his first League appearance of the season against Fulham on the 26th November. On the 2nd December, Wenger said:"It is a slight muscular problem, he'll be out for around 10 days."

However, the Arsenal boss is confident that despite Diaby's problems, he will return better than ever to fulfil the flattering description on the clubs website, as Wenger said of the 25 year-old's thigh strain:

"He is currently not fine. He has made so much effort to get back. I was afraid he would never be back to his best, but now I am convinced he will find his full potential again."

It is true that when fit, Diaby can be an important part of Arsenal's midfield, and considering he cost only £2 million in 2006, he has been something of a bargain for the club. However, his proneness to injuries have meant that he rarely completes a full season of football, averaging just 18 League appearances a season in his six seasons with Wenger's side.

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Midfield Signing on The Cards For United

Either Sir Alex Ferguson was purposely trying to dissuade Manchester United fans from getting their hopes up for a new signing, or David Gill doesn't keep the United manager informed on transfer activity.

Just as United fans and pundits digested Ferguson's comments that the club were not looking at any new signings because their main targets were unavailable, David Gill comes up with some comments to give revived hope of a new midfield addition.

"We are looking at one more player to bring in," said Gill, as millions of United fans' ears listened with delight. Gill, the Chief Executive of the club, has always insisted that the manager has money to spend on players if he needs it, and it is this central midfield position now vacated by Paul Scholes that will require a substantial fee to fill.

Ferguson has expressed a specific interest in a few players in that position; namely, Arsenal's Samir Nasri and Inter Milans Wesley Sneijder, with the latter being the favourite among fans. Nasri will cost in excess of £20 million this summer, or absolutely nothing next summer, providing he doesn't sign a new contract with Arsenal, while Sneijder will be a £35 million purchase. It's a big fee, but Ferguson admires the Dutchman hugely, and sees him as the natural replacement for Scholes.

"Nothing is happening and nothing is imminent but we will see what happens when we get home. There will still be 31 days of the transfer window to see if anything develops.

"The important point to understand, and Alex has made clear, is that we need someone who is going to improve the quality of the squad."

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David Beckham Happy To Play In Central Midfield For LA Galaxy

David Beckham has been deployed into central midfield on the weekend by LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena and both parties were extremely happy with the move.

Beckham has made his mark as a right-sided midfielder throughout his career but Arena thought it would be a good idea to throw him into the centre of the pitch for Saturday’s clash with Philadelphia Union.

The move paid off as Beckham produced his best performance for the Galaxy in a while as the team saluted 1-0.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star said that he enjoyed the move into the role as it reminded him of some of his past playing days.

“Bruce just said to me, ‘Do you want to try something different?’” Beckham said.

“We did and I think it worked well. We kept the ball well, we passed the ball around well and we created chances.

“I’ve played that position a number of times before, whether it be for Man. United, Real Madrid and England,” he said.

“I know that I can play that position.”

And Arena admitted that the move worked very well for the team.

“David played well,” he said. “We’re getting him back in the kind of form he needs to be in, in terms of his fitness. We played him centrally and I think he did a good job.

“He helps our passing and I was pretty impressed with his effort [Saturday], much improved from the first three games.”

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