United players were in dark over Scholes return, says Rooney

Giving it away: Sergio Aguero beats Paul Scholes to the ball

Wayne Rooney revealed that even the Manchester United players did not know Paul Scholes was making a comeback until he arrived in the away dressing room at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Scholes played for 35 minutes after badgering United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to allow him to come out of retirement until the end of the season.

The 37-year-old had been involved in some first-team training sessions in recent weeks but his team-mates presumed he was only there along with members of the club’s youth squad to make up the numbers.

Back in the game: Aguero scores having beaten Scholes to the ball

United striker Rooney said: ‘It was a bit of a shock to be honest. We didn’t know until we were in the dressing room. It’s great. It’ll give everyone a lift. Everyone knows what a fantastic player he is and I thought he showed his quality when he came on.’

Scholes’s return started inauspiciously yesterday as he gave the ball away in the build-up to City’s second goal, scored by Sergio Aguero.

But he went on to play a key role in United’s second-half rearguard action. Afterwards Ferguson said he was delighted to have the midfielder back in his side.

Back in running: Scholes warms up with team-mates

Biding his time: Midfielder watches from the bench

He came to see me and said he wanted to come back, he was missing it too much. There were no negatives as far as I’m concerned.

‘The players were fantastic about it, the fans I’m sure will be happy and I’m happy. Everyone knows he’s one of the greatest players in Manchester United’s history.

And he's on: Replacing Nani in the second half

‘He’s a fantastic footballer and there’s no loss to his real fitness which is important.

He’s sometimes missed three or four months with injuries, so it’s more or less the same kind  of scenario.’