FORMER England and Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has joined recent signing Jack Redshaw’s growing list of admirers after declaring: “I can see him scoring a hatful for Alty this season.”

Altrincham’s diminutive striker grabbed the chance of a start alongside Michael Twiss with two goals in the opening 28 minutes of last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with a Manchester United Xl at Moss Lane.

Scholes looked on from the away dug-out, in his new role as assistant to United Reserves boss Warren Joyce, and was hugely impressed with the quality of each goal.

“They were two great goals, even if we were a little bit disappointed with the way we defended them,” he said. “From what I’ve seen, he can be a prolific scorer for this club, especially against Conference North defenders, who are going to find him a real handful.

“He’s a tough little lad and definitely a clever footballer. You can be disappointed all you want defensively, but you have to say both goals were really well taken.

“It was a great pass in to him for the first, and a great touch to bring it under control and set up a shooting chance. And to crack it into the bottom corner past a top-class keeper like Tomasz Kuszczak was the mark of a clinical finisher.

“It was clever football for the second, the way he deceived Tomasz, and it’s a real feather in his cap to score twice against a Premier League keeper. He can go away feeling really pleased with himself.”

Scholes tipped his local club Stalybridge Celtic to hold on to their current top place but backed Alty to maintain a promotion push, particularly with so many attacking options.

Top scorer Damian Reeves seems certain to reclaim his place from Redshaw against Eastwood Town at Moss Lane this Saturday, with Scholes saying: “I like the look of this Alty side. They clearly like to pass the ball round and play the right way, and if they carry on like that, they won’t go far wrong.

“I know Twissy from his United days. We played a few reserve games together, and he hasn’t lost the knack of holding the ball up and using his left peg to good effect.”