MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson has re-opened his long-running feud with old rival Arsene Wenger after hitting back at the Arsenal manager for criticising Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes.

Wenger has angered United manager Ferguson after claiming last week that Scholes had a "dark side" to his game.

The Arsenal boss was referring to the widespread opinion that Scholes is a poor tackler and can often put opponents in danger of being injured, but Ferguson believes Wenger should keep his opinions to himself if he cannot focus on the positives of Scholes`s contribution to English football.

Ferguson said: "I don`t know why Arsene Wenger said that. If you ask about someone with the ability and performance levels of Paul Scholes, you know he is not the best tackler, but he has not injured anyone in his time here.

"It is very easy to look into the dark side of any player. I could say the same about one of the Arsenal players in particular, but I don`t need to do that.

"He (Wenger) should focus on the strengths and abilities of someone and the contribution he has made to English football over an 18-year period. It is phenomenal."

Scholes is currently in the form of his life, prompting speculation he could come out of international retirement, but Ferguson reckons there is no chance of Scholes pulling on an England shirt again.

"I don`t think it will happen, definitely not," said the Scot.

"The advantage he had was that he looked after himself and his lifestyle was perfect as far as a manager was concerned.

"We had two or three like that -- (Ryan) Giggs and the Nevilles (Gary and Phil) and Nicky Butt. We have a few of those who have lived their lives the right way, looked after themselves and been good professionals.

"You can, if you look after yourselves, have a long career in the game. But, if you had asked me ten years ago, I could not possibly have imagined that Paul would have been playing at 35-36 years of age.

"I would never have believed that. Considering that he is in an area of the pitch -- centre midfield -- where the game is at it`s most intense, it is amazing for him to have done that.

"I think the fact he has stayed clear of injuries is important. He had an eye and a knee injury a couple of years back which cost him two half-seasons if you remember.

"He is fit now and has trained every day, and I think that makes a difference when you are in your thirties and you train every day."

BDST: 1816HRS, August 28, 2010