Scholes settled a tense encounter with Wolves at Molineux 17 minutes from time, when he kept a cool head to beat Marcus Hahnemann after Jody Craddock's clearance had fallen nicely for the veteran midfielder.

"I'm very pleased with that," the 35-year-old said on ESPN after the match. "To score goals is what you need to do to win games

"Thankfully tonight it's fallen to me and I've managed to put it in.

"It was a difficult game. It was a tough pitch and a tough team to play against."

The victory takes United back to the top of the table, two points above Chelsea, who have a game in hand.

Scholes admits it will be an extra boost ahead of the visit of AC Milan in the second leg of the Champions League next week.

He added: "A 1-0 win is exactly what you need at this stage of the season so we're happy with that.

"I think it's probably a good time to go top. It gives us confidence going into Wednesday as well."

United's failure to wrap up the match almost proved costly as Sam Vokes missed a glorious stoppage-time chance to level, blazing over from six yards despite being completely unmarked.

And Rio Ferdinand, who returned from a back injury today, admits it was something of a let-off for his side.

"I thought it was offside but Scholesy told me he thinks he played him on," he said. "Fortunately we got away with it.

"But overall we deserved our win, we created chances and we could have maybe scored a couple more.

"Today under the conditions and circumstances I thought we played some good stuff, and Scholesy scored the all-important goal."

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The defeat leaves Wolves above the drop zone on goal difference alone, having played a game more than Hull.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy thought his side were well worth a point today but is confident they will start picking up the points they deserve.

"We have played well but we've got nothing out of it," he told ESPN. "And it's getting harder and harder to talk about it.

"The only thing we can do is maintain that standard and our belief, and our luck will change.

"We'll get a break. There's plenty of games to play.

"So maintain our belief and, with those performances, I think we'll be okay."

McCarthy knows his side shot themselves in the foot somewhat today and that they cannot afford to keep doing that if they are to remain in the top flight.

He added: "Sam would expect to score that. It doesn't matter how long you've been on the pitch.

"At one end there's a mistake and at the other it's a miss.

"A point would have been fantastic and we had the opportunity to get the equaliser but that's the story of our season.

"We've only scored 21 goals, not enough.

"No chance are we ever going to give up - while we've got breath in our bodies, we'll be scrapping.

"I firmly believe our luck will change and the only way it will change is by playing like that."

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Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Scholes for once again coming to United's rescue.

"He's fantastic," the United boss said on ESPN. "100 league goals from a midfield player in the Premier League is outstanding.

"He's a fantastic player.

"The way we play him these days, where he sits a bit deeper, maybe takes away that goal threat he used to always give you as a young player.

"But the opportunity arose today and he was the best player to have it.

"We deserved to win, no question about that. We played the best football and made the most chances.

"They had an outstanding chance near the end but they didn't take it.

"I was pleased we got control of the game (in the second half) and that's what we needed to try and get, because the first half was just so scrappy."

Ferguson added: "I think the form of the team has been good.

"We're managing to do without players from time to time

"That back four today, it's the first time they've played (together) in a year and a half.

"That tells you about the squad strength that we have and that's important at this time of the year."