Manchester United Transfers: 10 Potential Successors to Paul Scholes

Manchester United only managed to draw against Benfica in their important Champions League game and should the Portuguese club manage to win against Otelul Galati, it would mean that United can only finish second in their group.

Though the Red Devils had a flying start to their campaign including the 8-2 win against Arsenal, they have not looked dominant in the last few weeks ever since the heavy defeat against Manchester City at home.

Though the Red Devils still have a quality team, it is evident that injuries and the retirement of Paul Scholes have left a void in midfield. The injury to Tom Cleverley in particular has been a major factor as the youngster has looked vibrant in midfield when provided the opportunity.

Sir Alex Ferguson has developed many great players and Scholes is one of the greatest players to have played under the manager.

Scholes, with his creativity and range of passing, has been one of United's major players in the last decade and though he did look effective in the last season as well, he decided to retire after the game against Barcelona.

With United making no midfield signing in the summer, the void left by Scholes' departure is yet to be filled and here are 10 players who could be his successor in the future.

1. Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)

Wesley Sneijder is one of the world's best central midfielders and has the quality to make a huge impact for the Red Devils in midfield.

The Dutch midfielder possesses the creativity and distribution which could help Wayne Rooney and the other forwards score more goals.

Though he is already 27 years of age, he could still have a major role to play in the next five years or so if signed and could be important to United winning trophies.

Manchester United were apparently interested in the Inter Milan midfielder in the summer but the move did not happen due to various reasons. With Inter Milan struggling in the Serie A, it is likely that Sneijder would be open to a move to Old Trafford in the January transfer window.

With City in great league form, the signing of a midfielder could be important and Sneijder is a player who could make a difference to the Red Devils.

2. Christian Eriksen (Ajax)

Christian Eriksen is one of the most talented young players in the world and if he continues to progress, he can establish himself as one of the best players in the world.

The Ajax youngster has already represented the Danish national team and as he has shown in some performances, he has the quality to play at the highest level. Sir Alex Ferguson has the reputation of developing young players with talent into world-class players.

Eriksen is certainly a midfielder with high potential and it would not be a surprise if he is coveted by several top European clubs in the near future. He would take time to adjust to the physicality of the league but if United are interested, they will target him as one for the future.

A number of young foreign players have excelled in the Premiership after settling in the league such as Cesc Fabregas and Javier Hernandez and there is no reason why Eriksen cannot be a huge success for United if he is signed by the Red Devils in the future.

3. Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

Marek Hamsik is a very talented midfielder who is currently an important player for Napoli and he has proven that he can play at the highest quality with his consistent performances in the last few seasons.

The Slovakian midfielder is also a very important player for his country, where he is the captain and did help them have a decent World Cup campaign as well.

The Napoli midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past and it could suit both parties well, though Napoli would not be pleased to lose one of their premier midfielders.

The 24-year-old midfielder will not come on the cheap but it could be worth the money as he is a player who could be an integral player for the Red Devils in the future as well. He is also very experienced, having made over 150 appearances in Italy, and will not take much time to adjust to the Premiership.

With Napoli's league form not great this season, there is a good possibility that they might not finish in the Champions League places this season and Hamsik could look for a bigger club in the summer.

4. Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund)

Mario Goetze is one of the world's best young players and he will only continue to progress under the guidance of Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp.

Goetze has already been called up by Germany manager Joachim Loew and has every chance of representing Germany in the Euro Championships in 2012.

Though the German international has played several games on the wing for Dortmund, he could move into a more central role in the future and he has the quality to succeed at the highest level.

Goetze has drawn the attention of clubs all over the world, which is no surprise, but Manchester United have managed to sign many other players amidst severe competition in the past.

With Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, it is possible for the Red Devils to sign the highly rated midfielder and he does fit the bill of signing young talented players who have been snapped up by the Red Devils in the recent past. 

5. Luka Modric (Tottenham)

Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric was Chelsea's major transfer target in the summer but Spurs resisted advances from the Blues and managed to hold on to the midfielder.

However, there is every possibility that Manchester United could show interest in the midfielder especially because of their weaknesses in midfield. With Chelsea's poor form in the last few weeks, United could be the major club to target Modric, who will certainly not be sold at a bargain.

However, it would be a huge signing for the Red Devils as they would have a very efficient player in midfield and he would not require any time at all to adjust to the pace of the Premiership.

It is possible for United to attract the Croatian playmaker but it will be difficult to convince Spurs to sell, especially considering that they have had a good season till now barring the opening three weeks. Modric is a key player for Tottenham but if United do sign him, it would be a major coup for the Red Devils.

6. Ross Barkley (Everton)

Manchester United made a huge signing in Wayne Rooney when they signed him as a teenager from Everton and he has progressed to establish himself as one of the most important players for United and England as well.

There have been reports of them being interested in another Everton starlet, Ross Barkley, who did show that he has the quality to be a superb player in the future. Everton manager David Moyes will be keen to retain him in the side as he could provide them with great quality.

However, with the Merseyside club in lot of financial trouble, he might be forced to sell Barkley and United could be interested in signing the teenager.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has signed several young players and has been instrumental in them realizing their potential; Barkley is certainly a player who could interest them and could be an important signing for the future.

7. Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)

Shinji Kagawa was signed by Borussia Dortmund in the previous season and he has to be considered as one of the best signings in Europe for the 2010-11 season.

He has gone on to establish himself as one of the most important players in the team and the Japan international has attracted the attention of plenty of clubs through his superb performances.

Manchester United have been linked with Kagawa and though he is more of an attacking midfielder or a second striker than a central midfielder, he could bring in creativity to the side.

However, it is quite unlikely that Dortmund will be interested in selling the midfielder considering that he has a vital role to play in the team. Manchester United could benefit from signing the Japan international considering that he will add more technical quality and creativity to the side.

8. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Bastian Schweinsteiger is one of the world's best midfielders and it would be a great signing for Manchester United if they are able to sign the German international.

The midfielder is one of the most important players for Germany and Bayern Munich, but Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and would give him the chance to play abroad in the Premier League with a prestigious club.

Though Bayern Munich did not win the title last season, they are the favorites to do so this season and Schweinsteiger is an important player for the club.

The versatile midfielder is capable of being as influential as Scholes was to Manchester United but it would be difficult for United to persuade the German giants to sell the midfielder.

9. Tom Cleverley

Tom Cleverley was loaned out to Wigan in the previous season and he did have a vital role to play in ensuring that the Latics managed to stay in the top flight.

Cleverley then had an impressive preseason and has managed to start some games in midfield before his injuries this season.

He is one of the best young players to have emerged from Manchester United's academy in recent seasons and he could have a major role to play in the future.

It is clear that his dynamism and creativity can strengthen Manchester United's midfield to a great extent and he is capable of developing into an excellent midfielder in the future.

Sir Alex Ferguson does keep faith in youngsters with potential and in Cleverley, he has a player who could be the long-term future of United.

10. Wayne Rooney

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is arguably the team's best creative player and though he is capable of playing as a lone striker, his talents are best utilized in the role behind a striker like Javier Hernandez.

Rooney's vision, distribution and creativity mean that he is fully capable of playing as the attacking midfielder of the team. He does have an immense work rate and playing in the role behind the striker, he does work very hard and also distributes well.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been hugely instrumental in developing Rooney, who joined from Everton as a teenager and it is evident that he is a very-rounded player.

Since the retirement of Paul Scholes, they have not had a dynamic, all-round creative player in midfield and Rooney could yet be the player considering that Ferguson has shown faith in him to play in central midfield this season.