Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that Scholes was coming out of retirement an hour before Sunday's 3-2 FA Cup win over ten-man Manchester City.
He wasted no time in putting the 37-year-old's talents to good use as Scholes was introduced on 59 minutes in a bid to preserve their lead.
As one of those who felt Scholes was retiring too early in the wake of United's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona last season, Smalling is delighted about the U-turn.
And he feels it could have a major spin-off for the club, who have slumped to successive league defeats against Blackburn and Newcastle as their midfield resources were stretched to breaking point.
"Paul is going to be a real positive addition to our squad,'' Smalling said. "I was disappointed when he called it a day last year.
"I saw first hand the things he could do on the pitch and I know he can still do them. All of us were hoping he would come back and I am sure a few of the older lads have been saying things to him about it.
"It does pep up the dressing room when you see a player of the calibre of Paul Scholes in there. It gave the young lads a lift just to see him preparing for yesterday's match.''
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