Paul Scholes rather inadvertently summed up the very different directions taken by arch Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United this week.

The Old Trafford icon was asked to name the best player in every position at both the current moment and also across the entirety of football history.

While Scholes labels two former Manchester United teammates Peter Schmeichel, Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo as the finest goalkeeper, defender and winger to play the game, the ‘current’ part was dominated by Premier League winners-in-waiting Liverpool and last year’s European Champions Real Madrid.

Mohamed Salah told what he must do to be among 'very best' as Liverpool gets transfer instruction	Everton among six clubs eyeing raid for ‘amazing’ Liverpool beast; former Red also in the mix	Everton among 6 clubs chasing €35m Liverpool star

The gap between the two rivals has seldom been larger.

Mo Salah signed a new contract at Liverpool last week, much to the dismay of a Man United fanbase sick of the sight of the Egyptian’s chiselled abs.

Salah has famously accumulated more yellow cards for tearing off his shirt in celebration than United have Old Trafford goals against their North West neighbours since the 2017/18 season.

Scholes gives Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr the nod over the Red Devils’ free-scoring nemesis, though he could deny two other modern-day Liverpool superstars ‘best in the world’ billing.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

When quizzed on the identity of the world’s best goalkeeper, Scholes could look no further than Alisson Becker.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

Virgil van Dijk was also credited as the planet’s finest defender by a man who was watched on in a sickening shade of envy as Liverpool leave his beloved Manchester United choking on their dust.

Not that Salah will be losing any sleep over Scholes’ omission.

The talismanic winger making space on his mantelpiece for both a Premier League winners’ medal and another Golden Boot.

Salah has 27 in the Premier League.

Across all competitions, meanwhile, Salah is outscoring the Brazilian by thirteen while providing nine more assists.

His recent goal drought aside – three games without one in the Premier League his longest stretch of the entire campaign – it’s no wonder Arne Slot viewed retaining Salah’s services as a must.

“It’s a good message [about Liverpool’s plans],” Slot said ahead of Sunday’s 2-1 victory over West Ham United.
For more news relating to Manchester United, visit our sister site MUFC Live.