Rio Ferdinand admits Manchester United players had no idea of Paul Scholes' dramatic comeback at Manchester City.

A fervent admirer of the 37-year-old, Rio says only a select few players in world football could manage to slot back into a top side so seamlessly.

"Only a handful of players on the planet could do it," he told manutd.com. "Iniesta, Xavi, Messi... they're the type of players who look as though they could just play football at the drop of a hat at the top level. The game is so natural to them.

"Scholesy met up with the squad before the day before the Manchester City game and I asked him if he was in the squad. He said he was just coming to watch as part of the staff. Typical Scholesy.

"I had an inkling he might be back because he trained the day before with us. The next day I asked the kit man whether Scholesy's gear was here. And then the team was named.

"It's fantastic for the club and fantastic for the team. Most importantly, for the young players learning their trade - especially our midfielders - they can see a top player at work.

"He's been training every day now and still looks as sharp as he was before. He's got back into the rhythm straight away.

"His experience is invaluable, as well as his calmness on the pitch and his know-how of the game. When you've got wingers like we've got and forwards who want to get in behind the defenders and attack teams, a player like him who can put the ball on a sixpence is great."