Gabriel Obertan admits he's sticking close to Manchester United ace Paul Scholes.

Obertan has given glimpses of his dazzling potential but Sir Alex Ferguson is excited by his potential in a central position.

And that would give the £3million summer signing from Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux a chance to emulate his hero, says the Sunday Mirror.

Obertan, 20, said: "Paul Scholes was the role model for me when I was younger. He's very professional and accurate and a very good player.

"I had seen him only on TV until I came here. I liked to watch him and Ryan Giggs."

Obertan, a graduate of the famed Clairefontaine academy, had the chance to study Scholes close-up as he recovered from knee and spinal injuries following his move to Old Trafford.

He said: "It was difficult to be injured for four months. But it gave me time to observe.

"It was a lot quicker than in France, with more impact, more challenges."