Scholes has been sidelined since the Champions League win over Aalborg in September after being undergoing a knee operation.

Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the 33-year-old has been progressing well with his recovery and could be available to face the Danes again on December 10 ahead of a likely trip to Japan for the World Club Cup.

And for Fletcher, Scholes' return cannot come too soon.

Despite his advancing years, the former England star remains an integral part of the Red Devils squad and if United are to close the gap on current Premier League pace-setters, Fletcher knows Scholes will need to make a major contribution.

"Paul is still the best midfielder in Europe - if not the world," said the Scotland star.

"Nobody can control a game like he can. When he comes back from injury, he will be a huge asset for United and everyone at the club is looking forward to that."

Fletcher knows Scholes represents a major threat to his first-team spot.

The 23-year-old has made 14 appearances this term, the latest coming in Saturday's five-goal hammering of Stoke in which he picked up a minor knee injury that has ruled him out of Scotland's high-profile friendly with Argentina at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

It is a vast improvement for Fletcher, who struggled to make an impact last term, leading to fears he would leave Old Trafford in a search for regular action.

Instead, he signed a new four-year contract after gaining assurances from Ferguson that he remained a major part of his plans.

"Manchester United are a great club and I don't want to go anywhere else," said Fletcher, who was heavily linked with former Scotland boss Alex McLeish and a move to Birmingham.

"I just go into every game and do my best in the hope it is enough to keep me in the team."

After scoring just nine times in his first 172 appearances, Fletcher has hit a rich vein of form during the current campaign.

Before Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov started firing, he was top of the United scoring charts after getting goals against Newcastle and Portsmouth in August.

He added another in the draw at Everton the following month and, having been given licence to attack even more this term, is confident of adding to his tally.

"It's great to add goals to my game," said the Dalkeith-born star.

"I would love to sneak a few more as well but the most important thing is actually getting into the box and making the chances.

"The manager has been very encouraging and I have a lot more confidence to try my luck.

"In the past, I may have been a little too worried about holding my position and watching for counter-attacks.

"But now I am more selfish and a bit more adventurous."

Ferguson will hope Fletcher is not sidelined for too long given Owen Hargreaves has just been ruled out for the season and Scholes is still a couple of weeks away from his eagerly-anticipated return.

United have defensive problems as well, with Gary Neville joining Wes Brown on the sidelines after sustaining a groin injury in training last week that will keep him out for a fortnight.

However, it is a measure of the strength Ferguson has at his disposal that John O'Shea was able to step in and help United keep a clean sheet, with promising youngster Rafael not even called upon.

O'Shea might well keep his place at in-form Aston Villa on Saturday, although Ferguson will await the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson with bated breath given all three must get back from Brasilia from a game that does not start until midnight on Wednesday.