Fergie prepared to bite bullet over Scholes

Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to tolerate Paul Scholes' inexplicable flashes of temper because of the positive influence he has on Manchester United.

Scholes will now serve a three–match suspension — and arguably cost United any chance of completing a comeback in Saturday’s FA Cup semi–final with his woeful challenge on Pablo Zabaleta.

Even Ferguson admitted referee Mike Dean had no alternative other than to brandish the red card.

But the Reds boss wouldn’t condemn the 36–year–old player, as some United fans have since their team succumbed to City and ended their treble hopes.

With a Champions League semi–final against Schalke looming — for which Scholes will be eligible — and three Premier League matches, including one against Chelsea, after he returns from a domestic ban, Ferguson knows the midfielder still has a major role to play.

"Paul Scholes is capable of doing these things," said Ferguson. "We have seen it before from him.

"It has happened and we live with it because he has given us some great moments in his career."

Ferguson focused more on the two first–half misses in quick succession by Dimitar Berbatov as the game's turning point.

On the first occasion the Bulgarian was denied by Joe Hart. The second, though, was an opportunity Ferguson lamented as Berbatov slid in to reach Nani's low cross, but somehow managed to scoop a shot over from inside the six–yard area.