Boss Sir Alex Ferguson saw Manchester United beat Blackburn 2-0 to head the Premier League and claimed the squad is his strongest in 21 years at the club.

Sir Alex Ferguson has declared Paul Scholes' recent knee operation a "100 per cent success".

Scholes underwent knee surgery at the back end of last month after picking up the problem in training.

"The operation Paul has had on his knee has been 100 per cent successful," Ferguson said.

"The surgeon has reported that the condition generally of his knee was excellent with no concerns.

Manchester United have suffered a huge blow with the news that Paul Scholes will be out for three months.

The 32-year-old midfielder has been diagnosed with damaged knee ligaments and will have an operation on Thursday.

Scholes picked up the injury in training ahead of the Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev last week.

Ryan Giggs feels the injuries to have beset Manchester United in recent weeks have not disrupted the team.

United are currently without the likes of Gary Neville, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves, and suffered further setbacks ahead of Tuesday's 4-2 win over Dynamo Kiev.

Sir Alex Ferguson faces an anxious wait for news on a scan on Paul Scholes' knee injury.

He will desperately hope rumours the former England midfielder will require an operation prove unfounded.

The diagnosis following the scan is expected on Wednesday.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hailed John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher for their performances in last night's 4-2 victory at Dynamo Kiev.

United's win was achieved without key midfielders Paul Scholes and Patrice Evra, who suffered a calf strain during the warm-up.

Sir Alex Ferguson is pondering whether to stick with the burgeoning strike partnership of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez or go with a three-man central midfield in Kyiv on Tuesday night.

UNITED recovered from an early scare to ease to victory over nine-man Aston villa. The home side had taken the lead through Gabriel Agbonlahor, but United big guns Wayne Rooney (two) Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs ensured the Reds jumped back up to second in the Premier League table.

Manchester United's attacking trio of Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney put their side top of the table for the first time this season.

United suffered two more injuries in the first half when Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea had to go off, two substitutions that disrupted the champions' impressive early rhythm.

Wayne Rooney's first goal of the season fired Manchester United to victory against Roma at Old Trafford. Rooney broke the deadlock with a sharp 15-yard finish after he was set up by Nani to leave United three points clear at the top of Group F.