Scholes' red card madness hits United's Champions League defence

Scholes — known for his reckless tackling in European competition — was sent off for two bookings as United lost the Super Cup Final 2-1 to Zenit St Petersburg in Monaco’s Stade Louis II.

Having been booked for a late tackle shortly after UEFA Cup holders Zenit took the lead just before half-time, Scholes became the first player ever tobe sent off in this final with only minutes of the game remaining after he punched a cross from Wes Brown into the opposition goal.

United midfielder Paul Scholes is given his marching orders after a deliberate hand ball in the closing stages of his side's 2-1 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: ‘It’s disappointing and, yes, we have realised that Paul will miss the first game against Villarreal.

‘It was just an instinctive thing to do.

'The fact he had been booked meant he had to go.

'It was a shame because at that point we looked strong.’

The whole game itself was a bit of a disaster for United as they lost this largely meaningless contest in uncharacteristically sloppy fashion.

Ferguson’s team fell two goals behind after Pavel Pogrebnyak lost Rio Ferdinand at a corner to head home in the 44th minute and Zenit’s new £25million signing Danny evaded both United central defenders to race through and score in the second half.

Ferdinand’s partner Nemanja Vidic gave United some hope with a close-range goal midway through the second half but Zenit held on.

Ferguson added: ‘I can’t say that they didn’t deserve it.

'It’s a shame we lost the goal just before half-time, and such a sloppy goal too.’

As United prepared to head home, the Barclays Premier League champions were increasingly confident of sealing the £28m capture of Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov before the transfer window closes on Monday.

As Berbatov was observed saying his goodbyes to teammates in the car park at Spurs’ training ground yesterday, United officials were desperately trying to broker a deal for anincreased price of £28m.

Spurs themselves have lined up a replacement, with Russia’s Roman Pavlyuchenko in London for a medical before his signing from Spartak Moscow is announced.