Ferguson: Scholes a one-off

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says it will be impossible to replace midfielder Paul Scholes.

Ferguson knows it will a massive task to fill the gap left by the veteran who recently called time on a glittering playing career.Speaking shortly after arriving in Boston on the first leg of his club's five-match United States tour, Ferguson said: "It is impossible to get another Paul Scholes"But if we get a player along similar lines in terms of the quality of his passing and vision, we would have to do something."The difficulty is, if you picked the best four midfield players in the world, Scholes would be there with Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Then you could take a pick from somewhere else."It is a loss. How do we overcome it? The next few weeks could help us in that respect. Someone could emerge out of the youth team and we carry on."Ferguson does know he is building for the future though, even if he refuses to state United are emerging into a new era despite the retirements of Scholes, Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar.This summer has also seen the exits of long-serving duo Wes Brown and John O'Shea and the arrivals of Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea."Not next season," said Ferguson of the 'new' United claim."We try to look ahead. We try to make sure there is an influx of young players coming in to replace the older players that are dying on their feet."For the last three years we were well aware of the need to replace Ryan Giggs. Fortunately, he is carrying on and performing the way he does."But Gary Neville left, Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar retired. We were well aware we would have to replace them at some point."The work in the last two or three years has been about that. Trying to make sure there is the quality in the squad to carry on the success.The Old Trafford boss has been linked with Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan and also Arsenal's Samir Nasri as he tries to replace Scholes.United are reported to have been knocked back with a £20m enquiry for Nasri and Ferguson does not think the Frenchman will be moving to Old Trafford.He said: "I don't think he is coming to United. That is all I can tell you. I think that he has agreed to go somewhere else."Nasri has gone on tour with Arsenal to Malaysia and manager Arsene Wenger has indicated he may keep the player for the final year of his contract, and thus risk losing him for nothing in 12 months' time."That is his decision," said Ferguson. "He is the manager."If he stands by that decision, it is a brave one. I don't know if the (Arsenal) directors will enjoy that one, but it is possible. Maybe he will have to stay."