Sir Alex Ferguson praises influence of Paul Scholes

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson praised his side after their 3-0 win over Bolton moved them level on points with league leaders Manchester City.

Ferguson also reserved words of praise for the returning Paul Scholes, who scored the opening goal of the match.

"It was a good score line. I thought we could have scored more in the first half in particular. We had a lot of great chances," Ferguson told Sky Sports News.

He said of Scholes: "At his age, and the fact he has just come back, we were looking for him to control centre midfield, which he did, but he had the instinct."

The United boss also admitted that he felt Zat Knight should have been dismissed for a first half foul on Danny Welbeck, but he refused to blame the referee.

"I think so, but these inconsistencies are confusing to everyone. The referees need to be given direction."

United continue their league campaign away to Arsenal next Sunday.