Scholes keeps an eye on rivals

Paul Scholes insists it’s imperative the Reds stay focused on themselves, but he admits it's difficult not to mull over potential pitfalls in the fixture list or watch United’s title rivals willing them to stumble.

Like Ryan Giggs and Edwin van der Sar, the 33-year-old has invaluable know-how at this stage of the season. With just two points separating United and league leaders Arsenal (Bolton on Wednesday is the Reds' game in hand) and Chelsea chasing hard in third, Scholes says it’s impossible not to follow every twist and turn.

“Whether or not it's right to do, you look at games coming up,” he told Red View, United's official email newsletter. “You have to focus on one game at a time, but you do tend to look ahead. You watch opponents’ matches, too.

"That’s the nature of being in a title race. It’s that time of the season where you watch every game hoping your rival drops points.”

Scholes watched anxiously, like most fans, as Arsenal struggled against the grit of Wigan, and the mud of the JJB Stadium turf.

“That was a really good result for us," he said. "The pitch was horrendous and Arsenal had just had a really tough game in Milan, but we have to be pleased with the outcome.”

Derby, United’s opponents on Saturday, are in an irrecoverable position at the foot of the table. But Scholes says there can be no let-up, regardless of the Rams' plight. “We’ve got the experience to know we must do the business. If we do that, we’ve got a great chance to win the league.”