The Brazilian is largely considered to be one of the best holding midfielders in world football.
Tenacity and aggression are characteristics that have endeared him to the football fraternity and made him a mainstay at the base of Real Madrid's midfield for so long.
According to the 30-year-old, it is these same qualities that saw him admire a particular United legend.
"So, in terms of idols in this position [midfield], my idol growing up was always [Zinedine] Zidane, [but] here at Manchester United it was always Paul Scholes," the Brazilian told MUTV.
"He's a player that was small but he got stuck in, he was a fighter, he gave everything on the pitch.
"His passing over 50 to 70 metres was incredible. Manchester United have always [had] good players in that position.
"The little guy [Scholes] was very good and what I loved about him when he played was that he was small but he went in hard and fair."
