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Manchester United's midfielder Paul Scholes (L) celebrates scoring during their English Premier League football match against the Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton.

Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Paul Scholes after the midfielder scored his 100th Premier League goal as Manchester United returned to the top of the table with a 1-0 win at Wolves.

Former England international Scholes settled a hard-fought contest with a well-taken goal 17 minutes from time at Molineux that left reigning champions United two points clear of title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.

"He's a fantastic player," said United manager Ferguson of 35-year-old one-club man Scholes, who made no mistake with his chance from Nani's cross. "One hundred league goals from a midfield player is outstanding and he's a fantastic player.

"The way we play him nowadays, we sit him a bit deeper and maybe it takes away the goal threat he could always give you as a young player," Ferguson explained.

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

United were without Wayne Rooney due to a knee problem that makes the England striker doubtful for Wednesday's Champions League game against AC Milan at Old Trafford.

But Ferguson, who saw Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic play in central defence for just the fifth time in the Premier League this season, feels his team are starting to find their best performances at the right time.

United have just nine league games of the season remaining as they look to win a record fourth straight Premier League title and Ferguson said: "I think the form of the team has been good.

"We're managing to do without players from time to time and it was the first time that back four has played in a year-and-a-half," the veteran Scottish manager added.

"That tells you that the squad strength we have and that's important at this time of the year. We're not far away from getting Owen Hargreaves back and (Federico) Macheda's back in training which is a bonus for us because he can get you a goal and that may be important without Michael Owen."

Scholes was delighted to chalk up his 100th league goal and felt the victory would boost United ahead of Wednesday's game with Milan where Ferguson's men have a 3-2 advantage after their first leg win in Italy in the last 16 tie.

"I'm very pleased with that," said Scholes. "To score goals is what you need to do to win games and thankfully I managed to put it away.

"It was a difficult game. It was a tough pitch and they're a tough team to play against but a 1-0 win is exactly what we needed at this stage of the season, so we're happy with that."

Scholes added: "It's always nice to be top of the league. It's a good time to go top, with nine games left for us now, and it gives us confidence ahead of Wednesday as well."

Defeat left Wolves deep in relegation trouble with just one win in 10 league matches.

Their tally of 21 Premier League goals is the lowest in the division but manager Mick McCarthy, whose decision to field a weakened side in December's 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford led to a suspended fine for Wolves, believes his side have enough quality to stay up.

"The only way that our luck will change is by playing that way. It will change because we played well," McCarthy said after a loss that left Wolves above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.

"There are plenty of games to go and there are games coming along that we can win."