Manchester United have been linked with Valencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli as Sir Alex Ferguson continues his search for a successor to Paul Scholes.

Ferguson has consistently been linked with numerous midfielders as Scholes comes ever closer to walking away from the game for good. However, United have strengthened more in attack and defence in recent seasons.

Sofiane Feghouli
Feghouli is mobbed y teammates after scoring against Sporting Gijon. [Reuters] Reuters

Shinja Kagawa arrived in the summer, but his style is very different from that of Scholes. Nick Powell was also compared to the former England international by Ferguson, however, he is still inexperienced and learning his trade.

The Metro believes that Feghouli has emerged as one of the players that Manchester United are considering as a future replacement for Scholes.

The 22-year-old arrived in Spain back in the summer of 2010 and last season managed to break in to the first team, as he made 29 appearances in the league and scored six goals.

Feghouli was a regular in Europe as well, playing 13 matches and representing Valencia both in the Champions league, and then helping the club reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.

The attacking midfielder has also scored two goals in six appearances for Algeria having made the decision to switch allegiances from France who he played for at Under-18 and Under-21 level.

The former Grenoble midfielder has made an impressive start to the season, scoring two goals in his first four league games for Valencia.

The Daily Mail also believes that there is not only interest from Manchester United, but Russian side Spartak Moscow are also said to have been tracking the midfielder.

Spartak manager Unai Emery knows the player well having first signed him for Valencia before deciding to leave the club in the summer, despite having led them to Champions League qualification.

Feghouli still has two years remaining on his contract, but it seems United will be monitoring his progress as they look to see whether he has the ability to succeed Scholes.

Algeria Manchester United FC