New Oldham Athletic boss Paul Scholes plans to lean on Manchester United to help improve his squad.

Scholes was finally confirmed on Monday as Oldham's new manager on an 18-month contract and his first goal is to win promotion back to League One.

He already has 20-year-old Zak Dearnley from United, who scored on his debut in Saturday's 3-0 win over Crawley, and will be on the phone to his old pal and academy boss Nicky Butt.

“I'll be trying to do that," he said. “Zak has come in and scored his first goal. You need contacts at this level all over the place, not just at United.

“I'm close to Nicky and the people at United. If they can help me, I'm sure they will."

Scholes, 44, who has appointed former Oldham coach Mick Priest as his No 2, turned the Latics down before, but says he felt the time was right now.

“I just feel ready," said the former United and England star. “There has been times in the past when it's been an option, but it never felt right.

“Now I've got my full coaching badges - I did my A licence two years ago - the time is right."