Injured Scholes to miss start of the new season

MACAU, July 23 (Reuters) Manchester United playmaker Paul Scholes is to have an exploratory knee operation that will rule him out of the start of next season, the club said today.

The influential midfielder has been sent home from their Asian tour after missing the English champions' 6-0 win over Shenzhen Xiangxue in Macau today.

''Paul felt his knee in the last game (against FC Seoul) and we've sent him home for scope to see what kind of damage there is,'' United manager Alex Ferguson told reporters.

''We've had some scans done and there is a bit of discolourment about the cartilage.

''We don't think it is serious, but we will keep him out for about three weeks to a month.'' The 32-year-old will miss the season-opening Community Shield curtain-raiser against Chelsea at Wembley on August 5 and the start of United's title defence against Reading at Old Trafford a week later.

Reuters SY GC2210