The Rise of the Villan: Milner Makes Case As Scholes Replacement

As Paul Scholes wheeled away in celebration on Saturday, the scene of dejected Wolves players revealed a more telling tale than Scholes' own personal achievement.

Scholes' 100th Premier League goal was enough to secure a vital victory for Manchester United, who rose to the league's summit with just nine games remaining in the season.

The goal brought back memories of a younger Scholes whose astute positioning allowed him to profit from deft passes or loose balls inside the box. The way Scholes took an extra touch to fool Jody Craddock into an untimely slip before slotting the ball into the bottom corner was a sublime piece of skill that defied Scholes' aging presence in the team.

As was the case in the recent Carling Cup semifinal against Manchester City, it was Scholes' clinical nature in front of goal that reminded neutrals and fans alike of his sheer importance to United's success. His wealth of experience and accurate passing is particularly integral to Fergie's hopes for a sustained title challenge.

Sadly, against Wolves, Scholes' moment of skill was marred by a lacklustre performance bereft of any forward thrust that would have propelled them to a routine victory. Forced to operate with a lone striker up front due to injuries to Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov was tasked with holding the line.

However, Berbatov's role was assigned on the basis that he would be adequately supported by Nani, Antonio Valencia, Darren Gibson, and initially Michael Carrick, with Scholes operating in the much deeper defensive role that he has been accustomed to in order to preserve his energy and dictate play.

In pushing Scholes further forward, United were able to craft meaningful attacks that placed at least some pressure on the Wolves defence.

Scholes' change in position ultimately did more to unveil the lack of the prowess United goalscoring possess within their midfield ranks than eulogise his centenary success. United still depend on the effervescent Rooney and lethal Scholes to be the engineer's and finishers of key chances.

The fact of the matter is, Scholes' retirement looms on the horizon. At the age of 35, he remains one of the oldest members of the squad. The fact that United still rely on stalwarts such as Scholes and Ryan Giggs shows just how little impact many of the younger players have in asserting their influence over proceedings.

Anderson, who was recruited initially as a box-to-box midfielder, has flattered to deceive in his first two seasons, registering just one goal in the Premier League. Apart from Scholes, United possess very little depth in attacking midfielders who can command from the center of the pitch.

Instead, Fergie has had to rely on defensive generals or astute passers such as Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, or Darren Gibson to provide support in attack, which has inevitably yielded few goals.

Reliance on Rooney for the foreseeable future clearly places too much unwanted pressure on England's star striker.

Whilst Rooney's consistency this season has been admirable, the ability of his teammates to influence matches is also required if United are to win consistently and emphatically.

As Scholes nears his impending retirement, it is clear that United needs another avenue through which their attacking exploits can be utilized to garner goals.

In the same weekend with Scholes' key winner, a beleaguered Aston Villa side rose from the ashes to defeat Reading in a remarkable second half comeback.

This was largely achieved through James Milner's sheer tenaciousness and strength in possession as he helped lead Villa to a crucial semifinal berth and a return to Wembley so soon after United's Carling Cup win over Martin O'Neill's men last weekend.

Milner's ability to affect matches with his determination, pace, and trickery automatically install him as a key attacking figure in Villa's team. His performances this season have kept Villa in the hunt for a prized Champions League spot, amid serious competition from Manchester City, Tottenham, and Liverpool.

His purposeful running off of the ball and his seeming aversion to media attention are all staples of Scholes' inherent character. A smart visionary on the ball, Claudio Ranieri once remarked as Chelsea manager in 2002, that Milner played "with the brain of a 30 year-old."

While a capable replacement for the Red Devils' midfield maestro, he still lacks the goal scoring abilities that are associated with the best attacking midfielders in the game. With just four goals to his name in the league this term, his numbers are dwarfed in comparison to those of Cesc Fabregas, Frank Lampard, or Kaka. The development of this part of his game will be integral to his maturation as a truly talented footballer.

Still, Milner's effect on the team's that he plays for cannot be understated.

A former product of Leeds United, Milner was regarded as one of the most promising talents in the English game. His departure from Newcastle United was so significant that the Magpies were soon relegated last season due to a lack of creativity in midfield.

In last weekend's Carling Cup final, it was Milner who terrorized United's defence in the opening half, linking well with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young in attack, whilst throwing himself in blocks and closing down space in defence. The numerous times in which he tested Tomasz Kuszczak and coolly slotted home his penalty showed his ability to control the game and be at the center of Villa's offensive intent in front of goal.

If United are to improve their attacking options in the future and replace their legendary ginger-haired hitman, they could do worse than sign the 24 year old from Horsforth.