Manchester United great Paul Scholes Saturday backed the struggling English giants to beat Bayern Munich and go all the way to the Champions League final – even without injured top-scorer Robin van Persie.
Scholes admitted a rematch of the classic 1999 final, which he missed through suspension as United snatched it 2-1 at the death, would not have been the first choice of beleaguered manager David Moyes.
But the retired midfielder, 39, speaking during a promotional trip to Singapore, was upbeat regarding United’s chances in the quarter-final saying that “over two legs, we can beat anybody”.
“One of the teams you wouldn’t want to get would have been Bayern Munich but if we can beat them, who knows, we can go all the way to the final,” Scholes told reporters.
The English champions, now seventh in the Premier League, were matched against Pep Guardiola’s Bayern, who are on the verge of winning the Bundesliga in record time, in the last eight draw on Friday.
Shortly afterwards, they announced that Dutch striker van Persie, with a club-leading four goals in the Champions League, was out for up to six weeks with a sprained knee.
The 30-year-old was stretchered off after scoring all of United’s goals in their 3-0 last 16 win over Olympiakos, in a huge blow to their hopes of resurrecting a disappointing season.
“Robin went a long way to help us win the league last year but we still have players around him to create chances and we still have plenty of goals in the team,” insisted Scholes.
He added that it was “far too early” to judge the under-fire Moyes, pointing out that the former Everton man had contended with a raft of injuries since taking over from Alex Ferguson.
“He’s had so many injuries I feel sorry for him really ... he’s never been able to field the same back four,” Scholes told local media on Friday.
“He just needs to try to finish the season in good style and try to win as many Premier League games as he can, and try to get into the Champion’s League (final).
“If you get into the final of the Champion’s League it wouldn’t be a bad season.”
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Levante v Getafe (5pm), Sevilla v Real Madrid (7.15pm), Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid (9.30pm), Cadiz v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday Granada v Huesca (5pm), Osasuna v Real Betis (7.15pm), Villarreal v Elche (9.30pm), Alaves v Real Sociedad (midnight)
Monday Eibar v Valencia (midnight)
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
