With Paul Scholes set to retire at the end of next season, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has turned his attention towards securing a replacement for the side’s long-serving creative fulcrum. Given his stellar performances at the World Cup and for club side Inter Milan last season, it is unsurprising to hear Wesley Sneijder linked with a move to the Old Trafford. Is the Dutchman the man to succeed Scholes in the long run?

Currently joint-top scorer at this summer’s World Cup, Holland international Wesley Sneijder’s exploits over the last 12 months have seen him rightly heralded as one of the world’s best midfielders. With his international side just one win away from securing a first World Cup triumph, Sneijder is poised to become the first player in history to win a domestic/continental club treble and World Cup within the same season. Historical achievements aside, Sneijder is a lavishly gifted footballer, equipped with a great first touch, superb technique and excellent vision. Sneijder is also somewhat of a set-piece specialist, and could claim the Old Trafford free-kick specialist role vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Former Wigan Athletic defender Arjan de Zeuww has also highlighted Sneijder’s two-footedness, stating “I can see why people compare him to Scholes in his younger days but Wes can strike a ball equally well with either foot. I remember playing against Scholesy and if he was on the edge of the box you’d at least try and get him on his left, which wasn’t quite as strong. But Sneijder can hit it just as well with both.”

Tactically, Sneijder could prove to be an ideal acquisition for Manchester United. Due to his versatility, the 26-year-old would be capable of slotting into Manchester United’s domestic (4-4-2) and European (4-5-1) formations. With Sneijder currently operating ‘in the hole’ for both club and country, many believe that the former Real Madrid man would be an excellent foil for Manchester United talisman Wayne Rooney.

However, some question marks remain over Sneijder’s pedigree. A meagre haul of just 19 goals over the last three seasons indicates that he is far less prolific than the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Critics have also pointed to patches of inconsistent form during his time at Real Madrid.

However, despite these niggling doubts, Sneijder has emphatically proved over the last 12 months that he is a world-class creative midfielder. In addition to replacing Scholes, Sir Alex Ferguson will be keen to reclaim the Premier League crown from rivals Chelsea. With Chelsea expected to spend big this summer, Ferguson will be looking to secure at least one genuinely world-class signing in order to compete next season. Sneijder undeniably fits the bill, and could prove to be a fantastic signing for Manchester United this summer.

Would Wesley Sneijder be a good replacement for Paul Scholes?

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Click on image below to see the PORTUGAL babes at the World Cup