Source: Daily_Mail
Luka Modric, Wesley Sneijder... who should replace Paul Scholes at Manchester United?
ShareIt came as little surprise to anyone when Paul Scholes joined fellow Manchester United veterans Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar by announcing his retirement this year.[LNB]The midfielder enjoyed 17 years in the United first-team and the search to find a replacement for him at Old Trafford is going to be a key area for the club in the transfer market this summer. [LNB]Filling the 36-year-old's-boots is a near enough impossible task for any midfielder, but Sportsmail looks at five stars that Sir Alex Ferguson may feel are up to the difficult task.[LNB] Closing curtain: Scholes made his final appearance for United in their Champions League final defeat to Barcelona[LNB] [LNB][LNB]Wesley SneijderIf anyone needs reminding, Sneijder played a crucial role in dragging Holland to the World Cup final last year, displaying all the skills needed to star in a top team.[LNB]Cutting an inspirational figure on the field, he shone in the quarter-final against Brazil where he helped his unfavoured side come from a goal down by scoring twice in a 2-1 victory.[LNB]He will be Ferguson's No 1 target, but Inter Milan can match United's offer of being title contenders as well as Champions League ones and the 26-year-old has made it clear that he is not looking to leave the San Siro.[LNB]Value: ?35million[LNB] Luka ModricForget Gareth Bale or Rafael van der Vaart, Modric has been the real star of the show at White Hart Lane this season, providing the main focal point of Tottenham's attack.[LNB] Modric has again been a standout performer for Tottenham[LNB] [LNB][LNB]The 25-year-old's eye for a pass is incredible and like Scholes, is capable of finding the net whether it's inside or outside the box. A deal for the midfielder cannot be ruled out given the transfer history between the sides.[LNB]Spurs have gathered a reputation of being Manchester United's feeder club over the last few years, with star players such as Teddy Sheringham, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov all being sold to the Red Devils - no matter how much the north London club resisted.[LNB]Value: ?25million[LNB] Daniele De RossiAn experienced Italian international, De Rossi has been at Roma for over 10 years where he has developed into a star for both club and country.[LNB] De Rossi (left) and Sneijder (right) are both under consideration by Ferguson[LNB] [LNB][LNB]The 2009 Italian footballer of the year has been limited to just two Italian Cup wins during his time in Serie A and at 27-years-old is at the peak of his career.[LNB]Naturally he features more as a holding midfielder but can play in a box-to-box manner and is known to chip in with a few goals. With Roma playing Europa League football next term, Fergie can dangle the Champions League carrot.[LNB]Value: ?25million[LNB] Jack RodwellDoes not play as advanced up the field as Scholes once did, but he is more masterful in the art of tackling. [LNB]The 20-year-old is still finding his feet in the game but the Everton midfielder is one of England's brightest talents.[LNB] Ferguson famously took Rooney from Everton to United and might return for Rodwell[LNB] [LNB][LNB]Although not a direct replacement he would help plug a gap in the midfield that was left brutally exposed against Barcelona in the Champions League final.[LNB]Having established himself as a first-team player at Goodison Park, Rodwell will be reluctant to move to Old Trafford if he is not given a starting role. Such is his value already, current boss David Moyes has already stuck a high price tag on him.[LNB]Value: ?20million[LNB] Mario Gotze[LNB]ARE THE KIDS ALRIGHT? Scholes was a product of United's famous youth academy, here's how the latest starlets waiting to replace the United legend fare.Darron Gibson, 23Has had enough first-team chances to fill Scholes' boots but lacks the all-round game to make it at Old Trafford.Tom Cleverley, 21Done his career no harm by holding his own in the Premier League on loan to Wigan last term.Paul Pogba, 18Yet to make his United first-team debut, he is famed for an incredible strike as well as his strength and dribbling.[LNB]Germany seems to be bursting at the seams with young talent but after missing out on Mesut Ozil last summer, Ferguson may turn his attention to the latest 'wunderkind' Gotze.[LNB]A catalyst in Borussia Dortmund's surprise Bundesliga success, United scouts have been monitoring the 18-year-old for a number of months and he fits as a like-for-like replacement for Scholes.[LNB]WayneRooney is a fine example of Ferguson gambling big money on a teenager. If the talent is there, United will not shy away from trying to strike adeal with the German side who may reluctantly fold should a big money offer come in for their latest star.[LNB]Value: ?15million [LNB] End of an era as Old Trafford legend Scholes confirms his retirement Fergie pleads with Scholes to play on and pen one-year deal at Old TraffordDon't quit! Neville pleads with Scholes not to finish career after Euro finalAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Paul Scholes, Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Teddy Sheringham, Wesley Sneijder, Edwin Van Der Sar, Michael Carrick, Luka Modric, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Gary Neville, Gareth Bale Places: Barcelona, Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Brazil
