Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher may be younger but they don’t posses the class and ability to boss a game the way Scholes can.

It’s clearly evident that Wayne Rooney, when leading from the front, can turn an average team into a very good one. But central midfield is the most important area because that’s where you can dictate a game and where games are usually won and lost.

The range and execution of the passing, the vision and awareness of his surroundings and the composure in tight situations was exemplary from Scholes. And although he didn’t quite have the influence against City in the second half as he did in the first, the way he collected the ball, played a simple but effective pass and then set on his run - which he timed to perfection - was glorious in the final 30 seconds.

Even in the most desperate moments he still has the calmness and poise to do the right thing and the header which followed was simply immense. He put his entire body into it and it could turn out to be the knockout blow in this absorbing title run-in.

A true genuine great then, but United will desperately need him to contribute in their remaining three games, otherwise the title could be heading back to Stamford Bridge.