Scholes set to join elite

PAUL SCHOLES could take his place in the history books tonight when he is set to become only the fourth player ever to make 600 appearances for Manchester United.

It promises to be a memorable night for the Grasscroft-based former England midfield star as United entertain Portsmouth and bid to return to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "At United, you can go back to the Best, Law and Charlton era. Before that you have Duncan Edwards.

"You are talking a wide panorama of players. But in my time he would be in the top six or seven without a doubt.

"His contribution and quality have been great, even without the fantastic goals he has scored.

"He has that wonderful velvet touch on the ball. When he gets it, it goes stone dead. It is wonderful to see that amidst all the mayhem that can happen in a football match."