Paul Scholes will miss Villarreal’s visit to Old
Trafford on Champions League Matchday 1 after being sent off in the
UEFA Super Cup on Friday night.
The 33-year-old earned his marching orders in the
89th minute when he propelled Wes Brown’s cross into the Zenit St
Petersburg net with his hand.
Referee Claus Bo Larsen showed Scholes a yellow card, just as he
had earlier in the match for a reckless challenge in
midfield.
Article 18.01 of the UEFA Super Cup regulations state:
As a rule, a player who is sent off the field of play is
suspended for the next match in a UEFA club
competition.
Before learning of Scholes’ impending ban, Reds boss Sir Alex
Ferguson sympathised with the midfielder, suggesting “it was maybe
an instinctive thing, it’s a bit unfortunate”.
The manager also highlighted some of the over-zealous tackling that
took place during the match.
Anderson and Carlos Tevez also picked up bookings in Monaco,
although these cautions do not carry forward into the UEFA
Champions League.
