An operation would have ruled Scholes out for a month at least

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the news following his side's impressive 5-0 win over Panathinaikos in the Champions League on Tuesday.

It had been feared Scholes might need a third hernia operation, which would have kept him out of action for at least a month - ruling him out of the Turkey match on 11 October.

But Ferguson said: "For the first time, it looks a little bit more encouraging.

"We have delayed surgery because we hoped it would settle down and it seems to be a little bit easier now, so we won't be doing an operation for the moment."

Report: Man Utd 5-0 Panathinaikos

Ferguson reserved special praise for Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy following United's demolition of their Greek opponents at Old Trafford.

Neither player scored, but both were instrumental in the rout.

"When people look at the result and see Ruud hasn't scored, they will probably think he wasn't playing," admitted Ferguson.

"But his overall contribution to this win was absolutely fantastic.

When you consider what Ryan has achieved and the fact he keeps going, I think it is quite remarkable Sir Alex Ferguson

"As a striker, if you don't score, you have to do other things and, in that respect, Ruud showed himself to be a real footballer tonight.

"And Ryan has been in the middle of the battle-scene for the last 10 years.

"Other than the likes of Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, I don't think there is anyone else in the Premier League who can say that.

"When you consider what he has achieved and the fact he still keeps going, I think it is quite remarkable."

Giggs provided the corner from which Mikael Silvestre set United on their way to victory and Quinton Fortune added the second within a minute.

Better off without him. Rooney in his slot with Owen and Heskey up front From Roger from Putney Have your say on 606

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then opened his account for the season, Nicky Butt added a fourth before the break and substitute Eric Djemba-Djemba completed the rout with his first United goal.

United's next Champions League engagement is in Stuttgart in a fortnight, and then comes a double-header against Rangers, who also opened their campaign with a win.

"There is probably a bit more spice to those games now," said Ibrox old-boy Ferguson.

"But we have enough experience in Europe to cope."

Panathinaikos manager Itzhak Shum said: "No-one in our group will win here, so in a sense we have lost nothing.

"We can play a lot better than that but you have to recognise what a good side they are."