Paul Scholes has turned to his beloved Oldham Athletic as he looks towards a career in the dugout – while acting as the club’s secret weapon in a bid to wow foreign investors.

The former Manchester United great has been taking training sessions with Oldham’s youth team on a monthly basis as he seeks to obtain his UEFA A licence.

Scholes, who lives in Oldham and is a supporter of the League One club, was pictured with the Latics youngsters at their Chapel Road training ground this week.

Paul Scholes has been pictured this week training the youth team of Oldham Athletic

And Sportsmail understands the 42–year-old was also happy to act as part of a charm offensive launched by Oldham to secure some much-needed investment.

A group of potential backers, from China, visited the cash-strapped club and watched Scholes put the youths through their paces.

The overseas visitors are big Manchester United supporters and were delighted to see one of their heroes in action.

After taking in the training session they were whisked to Boundary Park where a bumper crowd of 7,224 made the most of a free entry offer to see new manager John Sheridan’s side defeat promotion-chasing Peterborough United 2-0.

Scholes made his name at Manchester United and became one of the world's top players

Scholes looks set to become the next 'class of 92' player to go into football coaching

A source said: ‘Scholesy has been taking sessions about once a month. He’s really, really impressive.

'He clearly has still got it and he appears to have the makings of a great coach. He certainly made an impression yesterday with the visitors.’

'We kept it quiet from the lads and they were delighted to see him, absolutely buzzing. He put on a great session and then got involved himself at the end.'