David May was there when Paul Scholes made his United debut in the League Cup at Port Vale 16 years ago.

The Ginger Magician was unheard of back then – but May knew quality when he saw it.

Wind the clock forward to 2010 and May insists there is still no one to touch United’s midfield maestro – notably, a certain Yaya Toure across the other side of town.

“I don’t think there is anyone in the Premier League who can touch Scholes at the moment,” he said. “He’s not just three passes ahead of everyone else, he’s three or four shots ahead of them.

“Yaya Toure’s on about £200,000 a week. He couldn’t lace Scholes’ boots.

“If he was that good why did Barcelona let him go? I speak to City fans all the time and they can’t believe he’s on that type of money.

“What’s the return you get for that money when you watch him play? He wouldn’t lace Scholes’ boots, Roy Keane’s boots or Bryan Robson’s, yet he’s probably one of the world’s richest footballers.”

At the age of 36, Scholes remains pivotal to United’s hopes of regaining the Premier League title this season and reigning supreme in Europe.

But he was part of a controversial starting XI against Port Vale in 1994, which also included David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville.

Scholes gave an early taste of what he would go on to achieve with both goals in a 2-1 win.

Along with rest of United’s golden generation, he formed the nucleus of a side that would win a league and FA Cup double two seasons later and the Treble in 1999.

But Ferguson was on the receiving end of fierce criticism for fielding such an inexperienced team at Vale Park that also included Dennis Irwin, Keane and Brian McClair.

Scholes is unlikely to be part of the starting XI tonight at West Ham as United bid to win the Carling Cup for the third year in succession.

Instead Ferguson is expected to give his emerging players the experience of one English football’s most daunting venues, Upton Park.

And May says that is the secret to United’s continuing success under Ferguson.

“If you go back to that season when Scholes made his debut, the gaffer got slaughtered for it,” said May. “But you look now and everybody does it. They use the competition to blend in their youngsters. Yet the manager got slaughtered for it years ago.

“As soon as you sign professional forms you’ve got the right to play for anybody. The Premier League shouldn’t let you name such large squads if they don’t want you to use them.

“The Carling Cup has been a great breeding ground for United. They’ve won it the past couple of years because the manager gets that blend of youth and experience right.

“It is fantastic for a 20-year-old playing at United and playing at Wembley and winning. And it’s all down to the manager trusting young players. He only plays them because he he trusts them. He always has. He’s done it since I was there.

“They learn what it feels like to win. And it’s not just winning but how you win.”

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1387693_may_yaya_toure_not_fit_to_lace_paul_scholes_boots?rss=yes

It's not Yaya's fault that City do not have a wage structure but then, paying Yaya £200,000 weekly is pure madness. Tevez that does all the work in that team doesnt earn that much

Yaya was quite good at Barca especially with his physical presence among other things,but the comparison with "The Ginger man" is uncalled for,they are in a different class,meanwhile its kinda obvious that the finance unit of Man city aint doing a good job,otherwise how can he earn such a mind boggling amount?

Anyway,kudos to the negotiating prowress of Yaya's agent, he deserves his percentage,the man u faithfuls are afraid city might price off their players ,they should calm down, its grab all you can,after all, Rooney has pulled off his own stunt and gotten a better package.