Has Sir Alex Ferguson actually done it? Has he actually secured the long-term replacement for Paul Scholes? eight-months after the ginger prince officially retired from professional football he answered the SOS call of a beleaguered Ferguson as he struggled to patch up a midfield beset by injury and suspension. His failed pursuit of Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder left the Red Devils boss without a natural playmaker for a half a season with desperation hitting it's peak as he begged Scholes to bail him out in in January. It proved to be very shrewd as the revitalised 37-year-old proved instrumental in clawing back the lead built up by neighbours City at the top. But we all know where the Premier League title ended up, don't we? Still the hunt for an adequate successor went on until Tuesday when it was announced that Borussia Dortmund Shinji Kagawa was bound for Old Trafford. After missing out on Eden Hazard it would have been sweet relief for Ferguson to nab on of Europe's up and coming stars. The 23-year-old Japan international has enjoyed two stunning years in Germany winning back-to-back Bundesliga championships and forge a reputation as one of the leading creative midfielders on the continent. I've heard numerous people say he could glide around bubble wrap without making a sound. Whether he can fill Scholes' shoes is a different matter all together. Will be fascinating to see how he copes with the expectation.

This week on FFC which United duo will England sorely miss at the European Championships and which Premier League duo is Ferguson targeting this summer?

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Best of FFC

Forget Rio, this is the duo England will miss

Will Financial Fair Play open up the door to a breakaway?

The Fine Lines In Football That Can Shape Clubs’ Histories

English clubs to adopt U.S sponsorship model?

A shrewd bit of business by Sir Alex Ferguson?

The Carrick Mystery

Manchester United linked with playmaker once more

Manchester United close in on £3m deal

Manchester United target Premier League duo

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Best of WEB

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The Real Thing Missing From Michael Carrick - Red Flag Flying High

Kagawa Transfer Agreed - 7Cantonas

Ferdinand’s dignified silence in the face of Hodgson’s “total lack of respect” - United Rant

Number crunching with Sir Alex - United Rant

United relying on ’25 George Clooneys’ - The Busby Way

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Quote of the Week

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"We don't sign players to sell shirts," he said. "We are reliant on 25 players and they are all massive stars. We have 25 George Clooneys. "When you look at the success we've seen in that part of the world, it isn't down to any one player or person." Manchester United commercial director Richard Arnold insists Shinji Kagawa wasn't signed to boost shirt sales in Asia

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Manchester United close in on Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski