Scholes praises Fergie factor

Ferguson has never been afraid of courting controversy, most famously in 1996 when he wound then Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan up so much he exploded in frustration during a live TV interview.

He has been more subtle this week, claiming he fears a referee's decision might go against United in their do-or-die encounter with nearest challengers Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Scholes has seen it all before.

The 36-year-old is hoping to take his collection to 10 winners' medals, leaving him behind only Ryan Giggs in the all-time list, this season.

And he believes Ferguson's interventions can have a positive influence.

"He has had some famous run-ins with other managers down the years," Scholes told Inside United.

"Whether there's anybody to do that with this year, I am not too sure.

"But he is great as a calming influence on us. Coming towards the end of the season, there is no better manager to have.

"He has been through this, competing for the title, for nearly 20 years now, so he knows what he wants to do and he will get that across to us."

There is an additional determination amongst the United players due to the fact they lost out on an unprecedented fourth successive championship to Chelsea by a single point last season.

"We were just as hungry last year but it is not nice when you see others teams celebrating," said Scholes.

"We want to make sure it's us this year."