Sunderland boss Steve Bruce regards Paul Scholes as the most important player at Manchester United in the last decade.

Ryan Giggs, like David Beckham before him, has long been feted for his central role in the club's success, but former team-mate Bruce believes Scholes has been even more pivotal.

He said: "He's a manager's dream. Out of them all, for me, he has arguably over the last two decades been as good as you get in the Premier League.

"He is a fantastic player with fantastic ability. He has got the lot.

"It's just a shame that he hasn't played for England [in recent years]. I don't know what happened there.

"But for me, Scholesy was the greatest of them all. He was fantastic - and still is.

"I saw him produce an unbelievable performance - the one against Manchester City. Not just the goal, but his overall performance was just fantastic to watch.

"With those three now coming to an end, how do you replace them? They have been absolutely magnificent footballers from day one, and they have still got this hunger and appetite to get more.

"That's why I know for a fact that Manchester United will play at their best, because they are used to rising to the challenge, especially over the last 15 years.

"They have never, ever let themselves down and not performed on the big occasion."