Perhaps his touch is not quite as deft as a Luka Modric or a Juan Roman Riquelme, perhaps his close control is a fraction off;

While Scholes "hopes" Nasri is bound for Old Trafford, other contenders to effectively replace the former England midfielder include Wesley Sneijder and Luka Modric.

The United manager has played down the club's interest in signing Internazionale's Wesley Sneijder, while Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Modric and Arsenal's Samir Nasri appear bound for elsewhere.