Paul Scholes was at the centre of an England call-up controversy after playing for Manchester United - despite being declared injured for the friendly against Portugal.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson left Scholes out of the squad Saturday's meeting with Portugal at Villa Park after he suffered an ankle injury in the Champions League qualifier against Zalaegerszeg.

But Eriksson would have been shocked to see Scholes named on the team-sheet to face Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

It sparked talk of a rift between Eriksson and Sir Alex Ferguson, and the United boss said: "Scholes has not had much football and has been carrying an injury for a few weeks and we just have to be careful with him and how much we use him.

"He got through it. His ankle was feeling very painful at the end of the match, but we will bring him on and hopefully can get him fit next week for Bolton."