Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce today hailed Paul Scholes the best midfield player in the world.

The ultimate tribute comes as Scholes takes the Reebok stage on Wednesday night looking to mastermind a Manchester United away victory for the second time in four days.

The United and England star scored two goals in four minutes at Villa Park on Sunday to overturn a 1-0 deficit and put the Reds into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Allardyce said Scholes' goal show was typical of a man who is every bit as good as Thierry Henry and should have been shortlisted for European Player of the Year.

"There is not a better midfield player in the world than Paul Scholes," said Allardyce.

"And the reason is that he is not just a great midfield player but a great midfield goalscorer.

"He scored something like 20 goals last season and for him not to be in the top six contenders for European Player of the Year is a disgrace.

"Thierry Henry was unhappy at coming second and Scholes is equally as good as Henry.

"Probably the reason he isn't put forward is because he doesn't put himself forward. He just gets on with his job."

Allardyce says that countering Scholes' goal threat is one of the toughest defensive tasks in the Premiership. But it is one Wanderers will have to perfect or suffer the consequences.

"He is such a difficult player to cope with because he drifts into goalscoring positions without anybody noticing," added Allardyce.

"All you can do as a manager is to make your players aware of the danger and hope they can handle it."