Standout Scholes cools Ozil signing rumors
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Sir Alex Ferguson insists Paul Scholes' superb display against Chelsea in the Community Shield shows Manchester United don't need to sign Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Ferguson watched Werder Bremen midfielder Ozil in action in a friendly at Fulham on Saturday, sparking speculation that the United manager was ready to make a move for one of the standout performers at the World Cup.
However, after seeing the evergreen Scholes, 35, give a midfield masterclass in United's 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, Ferguson made it clear that he is happy with his squad heading into the new season.
"I think a lot of clubs will be interested in Ozil. At the moment, I think we have a great squad. I don't need to add to it. That is my opinion. I trust them," Ferguson said.
"This time last season Scholes was thinking it might be his last year. A lot of people thought that, and it crossed my mind as well simply because he has had a lot of injuries in his career and it's not easy to come back from that.
"So it's phenomenal that he goes out there and is man of the match approaching his 36th birthday. He is an unusual person and an incredible footballer."
Ferguson played down the significance of his side's victory over double winner Chelsea, but he could take heart from Wayne Rooney's lively display after his poor form at the World Cup.
The Scot was also encouraged by new signing Javier Hernandez's performance, capped by a goal, and a cool finish from fellow substitute Dimitar Berbatov.
"I don't think Javier lacks confidence but goals do help. Strikers are strikers and they like to score. So far he has scored in each game he has played," Ferguson said.
"Looking at him, he is certainly different to what we have got. He is always looking to run through, he is quick enough to do that and it gives us an advantage in certain games.
"I was pleased Wayne got 45 minutes. He needs games. His making of the goal was great. It was a good run and magnificent ball in.
"Dimitar needed a goal given some of the adverse publicly he had last season.
"There is an old habit of players coming to United and if they aren't scoring three goals a game or making 50 passes they get slaughtered at times.
"But he's got fantastic ability. He will show that in a lot of games, there's no question about that. He is an important player for us."
While Ferguson's team heads into next weekend's Premier League kickoff on a high after its Shield victory, Chelsea has now lost four successive preseason matches.
Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti admits it will be at least two weeks before all his players are fully up to speed after the World Cup, but he is confident Chelsea will still make a good start to the season.
"It can happen that you lose if you play against a strong team. It was a better day for them. They played better than us and deserved to win. We knew it could happen," Ancelotti said.
"In two weeks, the players that came back on July 26 will be 100 percent.
"We have to improve. We have to have more time in possession of the ball. We played too slowly in the first half.
"For this reason we have to work. It can happen in preseason that something is wrong, but I am not worried."
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