Famously suspended for United's unforgettable 1999 triumph over Bayern Munich, Scholes will take his place in the Red Devils line-up for Wednesday's semi-final decider with AC Milan knowing he is a yellow card away from being banned again should his side make it through to an all-English final in Athens on May 23.

The 32-year-old has already served one European ban this season after being sent off in the first leg of the quarter-final against Roma.

But Ferguson does not believe Scholes will have any problems this week, providing he stays on his feet.

"You cannot send a player out in the semi-final of the European Cup and tell him not to tackle," said the United boss.

"But Paul has to make sure he doesn't get booked. If he stays on his feet and tackles properly, he won't have a problem.

"In Europe, they just don't accept sliding in. That is where he gets all his bookings.

"We accept it in our country when he slides in but they don't look at it the same way in Europe. It is not filthy or violent conduct, it is all about interpretation."

After the sporting manner in which the first leg was conducted at Old Trafford last week, Ferguson is not anticipating the Milan players will try to lure Scholes into getting a caution.

Besides, the Scot can see no material benefit to Milan should they succeed in such an aim.

"The second leg would be in progress and one of us would be going to the final, so I do not see any benefit for them in that," he observed.

"But Milan don't seem like that kind of side to me anyway. There was nothing like that in the last game we played against them and on Tuesday there was nothing like that either.

"If anyone deserves to play in a final it is Paul and we are all hoping that is the case.

"If he keeps his calm about the game I am sure he will be all right."

Scholes is not the only player who will walk a disciplinary tightrope at the San Siro. Star man Cristiano Ronaldo and close friend Gabriel Heinze are one booking away from a ban, as is Paolo Maldini, although the Milan veteran is not likely to figure anyway due to a knee injury.

While some pundits have suggested United will start favourites following their last-gasp win last week, others believe Milan's pair of away goals offer them a priceless advantage.

Certainly the Red Devils have never lost a European tie under Ferguson after winning the first leg, although their manager admits that despite recording away wins against Benfica and Lille this season, United will have to step up significantly if they are to avoid a third semi-final loss to the Italians, having been on the wrong end of the result in both 1958 and 1969.

"I wouldn't say we were favourites but we have given ourselves a great chance," he said.

"A goal lead is a great start in European football and we have good counter-attacking possibilities in our team.

"What we have to do is cross the line as we did in 1999 when we went to Juventus and won there.

"We have to step up a gear. There is no question about that. They have great players in their team and so do we. It could be any score."