Paul Scholes Appreciation Thread

101001

Ulysses Gaze wrote: »

Would he want the limelight it brings given his character?

I'd see him more as an Assistant Manager tbh. If he translated the tactical acumen he had on the pitch to a coaching role.

Very good point. Id imagine that'd be a massive detraction especially at a club like Man Utd.

He'd be a fine asset to the youth setup. Who better to learn the game from

Carroller16

How do we know he has retired?

Paully D

Didn't he always say he'd end his career at Oldham, or did I imagine that?

Anyway, he's one of the greatest players around and it's a shame England felt the need to accommodate poorer players whilst he was stuck out on the wing as I feel they would have done much better in major tournaments with him in the centre.

He'll be missed.

staker

His ability to strike the ball so effortlessly with either foot was just unreal.
Any clearance from the opposition's 6 yard box you'd be just waiting for Scholesy to catch it,he had some real peaches.

I laughed many's the time at his attempts at tackling though,some of them were woeful.

A legend no doubt.

RasTa

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Dont call me a troll lad.
Its well known he is, at best, a "bad" tackler, arsene wenger and Sergio Busquets agree!

Hah, nice examples to use

TheDoc

Zidane saying your the best midfielder of your generation just compounds it.

The tributes coming in today from top top top players, coaches and football people is lovely to see.

Without doubt the best midfielder I ever saw in the premier league and without doubt the most gifted player I've seen wear an England shirt.

Backstreet Moyes

His transition from bombing forward and scoring goals to sitting back and pinging balls and controlling the midfield makes him the complete player. He could do it all. A magical player and great sportsman.

ShooterSF

Welling up after that video. Of the retirees this season, Neville, VDS and maybe Hargo (if he doesn't start somewhere else) Scholes' is by far the hardest to take. I actually think when Giggs finally retires his won't even be as hard.

The guy has left us with such fantastic memories and he's going out on top as he should be. I could sit and watch that Villa goal and the barca one on loop for hours because the emotions of those moments rush back as strong as ever. Now though there's an only human tinge of greed filled sadness that we won't get anymore from our ginger legend but we were damn lucky to live through his career to see it first hand.

A true United hero.

Nemanja91

One things for sure if he does retire, he will still have his season ticket in the stretford end.

Son Of A Vidic

Boskowski wrote: »

I don't know what ye are all on about. He's grand, good player but what's with all the over the board praises? he is not thjat fkn good or ever has been.
Or is there something I fail to see?

I think this is a clear winner for the funniest and perhaps the most delusional post of the year.

JerryHandbag

He scores goals galore, he scores goals,
Paul Scholes, he scores goals.

Sad day, that no.18 shirt is gonna look weird with a different name on it.

Son Of A Vidic

A very sad day for us United fans and for football. Players like Scholesy are a one off and are truly unique. He was idolised and respected by fans and fellow professionals across the globe. It was a real privilege to have watched him from his first days in Fergie's babes, right through to the end of his career.

jimcoolding

One of the best passers ever to grace the game.

Tackling was atrocious and he would have been sent off every other week if he wasn't playing for United but never the less good luck with your future endeavours Mr.Scholes

Liam O

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Dont call me a troll lad.
Its well known he is, at best, a "bad" tackler, arsene wenger and Sergio Busquets agree!

http://thisisfutbol.com/2011/03/blogs/the-premier-leagues-worst-tackler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W66JLyOAt7g

Yes he has his passing, but tackles and bad sportmanship reduce him in my eyes from Giggs for example

funny, so I suppose Messi isn't the best player in the world either due to his bad sportsmanship on occasion?

How much would Xavi have achieved in the Spanish team if he was played on the left to accommodate inferior players in the centre?

he has/had a lot more than passing. To say that is completely ignorant and I'm sure if you asked Wenger and Busquets on their opinion of Scholes today his tackling would be the last thing they'd talk about. How many injuries has Scholes caused in 15-20 years with his 'bad tackling'?

Het-Field

I remember when I first heard the name "Paul Scholes". It was the afternoon after United's "reserve team" beat Port Vale in the League Cup in Vale Park in September 1994. Scholes had scored both goals for "United". My Dad referred to him as "Skols".

I also recall his near immediate impact in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona at Old Trafford in 1994 when his deft lob nearly beat Busquets in the Barca goal.

His real worth became apparent in 1995/1996 when he soley mitigated for the loss of Mark Hughes, the absence of Eric Cantona, and the lack of confidence of Andy Cole by scoring a number of crucial goals early in the season. Not long afterwards he was withdrawn into a midfield role, and he became a real enforcer, with an eye for goal.

His departure from the England set-up prolonged his career at Old Trafford.

Scholes is a top-player, who deserves all the plaudits he gets. Anybody who suggests he was not a top-players, or considers him "over-rated" is biased, or has not watched him closely enough.

Son Of A Vidic

..Tackling was atrocious and he would have been sent off every other week if he wasn't playing for United..

fairy tale 

Definition.
1 - A fictitious, highly fanciful story or explanation.
2 - An incredible or misleading statement, account, or belief

jimcoolding

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

fairy tale 

Definition.
1 - A fictitious, highly fanciful story or explanation.
2 - An incredible or misleading statement, account, or belief

Deluded

Definition.
1. To elude or evade.

tdv123

His performance against Juventus in the 97/98 CL really underlined his class for me & really announced himself to the world as a world class player.

Juventus had beaten United convincingly twice in the Champions League the previous & were without a doubt the most feared side in the world.

After United went behind in the first minute it was Scholes that came on mid way threw the first half & just ran the show from there. Scoring a lovely little goal by rounding of Peruzzi to put United into the lead aswell. And overshadowing a midfield made up of Deschamps, Zidane & Tacchinardi is never an easy matter.

eagle eye

Why is there a second one of these threads? Its not like its ancient or anything it was only started 3 months ago.

The Paul Scholes Appreciation thread

Son Of A Vidic

Deluded

Definition.
1. To elude or evade.

Definition of the term Evidence

1. A thing or things helpful in forming an accurate conclusion or judgment:
2. To indicate clearly; exemplify or prove.

Can you prove to me/or provide clear evidence that Scholesy would have been sent off more often if he was playing for another club?

eagle eye

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Definition of the term Evidence

1. A thing or things helpful in forming an accurate conclusion or judgment:
2. To indicate clearly; exemplify or prove.

Can you prove to me/or provide clear evidence that Scholesy would have been sent off more often if he was playing for another club?

He certainly would have been if he was playing outside of the big clubs. He really did get away with a lot of tackles from behind that I see players at my club getting carded for with their first foul.

Son Of A Vidic

eagle eye wrote: »

He certainly would have been if he was playing outside of the big clubs. He really did get away with a lot of tackles from behind that I see players at my club getting carded for with their first foul.

But that's just merely speculation though isn't it? Since he spent all his career with United we'll never know.

LuckyCharms

Class player, will be missed more so than any of the other legends we have retired imo. Hopefully he will become part of the coaching staff of the club to help herald in the next wave of Fergies fledglings !

Compiled quotes from various sources on the man himself :


Laurent Blanc
“I tell anyone who asks me - Scholes is the best English player.”

"Scholes is the best English player. Intelligence, technique, strength... all the attributes are there. At Manchester United I saw what he could do on the training field. Phew!"

Roy Keane
“An amazingly gifted player who remained an unaffected human being.“

Marcello Lippi
“Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team - that goes to show how highly I have always rated him. He would have been one of the first players I’d have bought, given the chance.”

“An all-round midfielder who possesses quality and character in abundance.“

Thierry Henry
"He knows how to do everything, and he is the one who directs the way his team plays. On top of that, he has indestructible mental strength, and he is a genuine competitor."

"I can't understand why Scholes has never won the player of the year award. He should have won it long ago. Maybe it's because he doesn't seek the limelight like some of the other 'stars'."

Clive Tyldesley
"Some of Paul Scholes' tackles come in so late they arrive yesterday."

Pep Guardiola
"Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes - he is the best midfielder of his generation, I would have loved to have played alongside him."

Jose Mourinho
“Scholes? Fantastic! Why isn’t he playing for England? It is crazy. Only in England. Scholes is a great, great player. So experienced and still, for me, one of the best in the world in midfield. Manchester United are lucky to have him.”

Micah Richards
"He's always in the right position, always seems to be at the end of the box when the ball drops in. The complete midfielder - when he's fit, he's the best. Some go missing but he's in the right place at the right time. He's my favourite player of all-time, unbelievable. If you give him a chance it's a goal, isn't it?"

Glenn Hoddle
"There isn’t a player of his mould anywhere else in the world."

Terry Venables
"He’s the best one- or two-touch passer in the country. He sees the game unlike any other player."

Alan Shearer
"If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many of them will pick Paul Scholes. He can tackle, and his passing and shooting is of the highest level. He’s the most consistent and naturally gifted player we’ve had for a long, long time."

Eidur Gudjohnsen
"I'm more an admirer of Paul Scholes than I am of Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a fantastic player, but he has 10 other great players around him every week...Scholes is one of the most complete footballers I've ever seen. His one-touch play is phenomenal. Whenever I have played against him, I never felt I could get close to him."

Edgar Davids
""Every one of us (midfielders) is just trying to become as good as him. Everyone can learn from Paul Scholes."

"I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is."

Tony Adams
"I really rate Paul Scholes, because he hasn't got the high profile of many of the Manchester United players, he doesn't get too much attention, but he is one very good player. He is an intelligent player, he works hard and he scores some great goals. He is not flamboyant and is a quiet lad off the pitch but he is a tremendous asset to Manchester United and to England. He has already got my vote as player of the year."

Cesc Fabregas
"He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League."

Patrick Vieira
"The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy - Scholes."

Zinedine Zidane
"My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder."

"Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation."

Sam Allardyce
"There is not a better midfield player in the world."

Kevin Keegan
"What United have got that Chelsea haven't is Paul Scholes. I think he is different to anything else in English football."

Ray Wilkins
"I'm saddened because I think we as spectators, not only in this country but right throughout Europe and the rest of the World, will be missing one hell of a footballer."

Gordon Strachan
"Paul Scholes has been the best England midfield player for 30-odd years. You'd probably have to go back to Bobby Charlton to find someone who could do as much as Scholes. When the ball arrives at his feet he could tell you where every player on that pitch is at that moment. His awareness is superb."

Veron while at Chelsea being asked in an interview who's the best English player : "Paul Scholes."

Socrates was asked about what he thought of English football.
"Paul Scho-les," smiled the father of six, whose youngest is three. "Good enough to play for Brazil. I love to watch Scho-les, to see him pass, the boy with the red hair and the red shirt."

United sources:

Peter Schmeichel
"People say he is a great player, but you have to define what a great player is, For me, it is a player who has a bottom level that means his worst performance is not noticed.If he is having a bad game, a team-mate might feel Paul Scholes is not quite on his game, but a spectator wouldn't notice. Scholes, of all the players I have played with, has the highest bottom level. His reading of the game is unsurpassed.He has an eye for a pass, for what the play or the game needs at that precise moment, that I have never seen anyone else have. He controls and distributes the play and the game better than anyone I have ever seen."

"Still the best player in that United midfield."

Michael Carrick
"Paul Scholes is just fantastic. When you play alongside him, you realise what a special talent he is."

"He is a legend and he's going to be remembered for a long time. Just to play alongside him and learn from him has been an absolute pleasure. I think he is a footballer's footballer; he has been at this level for so long. As long as he is part of us we always feel we have a chance. We appreciate the way he goes about his business. I have never met a character like Scholesy; certainly not someone who is that good."

Park Ji Sung
When asked by the club’s official home page which United player he would like to see in the red shirt of the Taeguk Warriors : “It has to be Paul Scholes.”

David Beckham
Said that, among his teammates at Real Madrid, which included Zinedine Zidane, Raúl, Ronaldo, Luís Figo and Roberto Carlos, Scholes was the most admired opponent: "He's always one of those people others talk about. Even playing at Real Madrid, the players always say to me 'what's he like'? They respect him as a footballer, and to have that respect from some of those players is great."

Brian Kidd
"Paul Scholes had the best football brain I'd ever seen in a kid. Let's face it. Paul Scholes is in a class of its own."

Rio Ferdinand
"I can honestly say Paul is the best player in the England squad. For me he is the complete player."

"For me, it's Paul Scholes. He'll do ridiculous things in training like say, "You see that tree over there?" - It’ll be 40 yards away - "I'm going to hit it". And he'll do it. Everyone at the club considers him the best."

Phil Neville
"Paul, for me, is the best player in the England team. It worries teams. Speak to any other international team and they will single Paul out as England's key player. For me, he doesn't get the full credit that he deserves. He is a world-class player and deserves to be up there with the likes of Zidane and Figo."

Gary Neville
"I wouldn't swap Paul Scholes for anybody. He is quite simply the most complete footballer I have ever played with. He is the best."

"Paul Scholes is the best player I've ever played with. There's talent in every part of his game."

Steve Bruce
"He's the best player in Britain in my opinion and he has to get himself fit just before we are due to play at Old Trafford. I cannot pay Paul a bigger compliment than to say that he's the most complete footballer in the country. The best bar none."

George Best
"To be honest I think England have lost their best player. Certainly he's the most consistent and naturally gifted player we've had for a long, long time."

Sir Bobby Charlton
"I am sorry for England because they don't have any player like him. You can talk about others but there is no one else like him. He is the best technical player England has without any question. He could have had a lot more caps if he had carried on. And if I was the manager he would have ended up with more than I did – easy"

“England don’t have another player like him. He could have had a lot more caps if he had carried on. And if I was the manager he would have ended up with more than I did – easy."

"He’s always so in control and pinpoint accurate with his passing – a beautiful player to watch."

"Paul Scholes is my favourite player. He epitomises the spirit of Manchester United and everything that is good about football."

“Players like Denis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Ferguson era. And in so many ways Scholes is my favourite. I love his nous and conviction that he’ll find a way to win, to make the killer pass or produce a decisive volley.

“When a game reaches a vital phase, these qualities seem to come out of his every pore. He’s always on the ball. He’s always looking to bring other people into the action and if he loses possession you think he must be ill.”

Sir Alex Ferguson
"Very few players can do that, but Scholes is one of them - and I knew he was one of them. That's why, without question, I think Paul Scholes is the best player in England. He's got the best skills, the best brain. No one can match him."

"He has an awareness of what’s happening around him on the edge of the box which is better than most players. As a kid he always had a knack of arriving in the penalty area just at the right time, but he’s proving just as effective from outside the box because he’s using his experience in the right way. It doesn’t matter who I am thinking about bringing into my midfield, Paul Scholes will be included, as he would in any side in the world."

Sir Alex Ferguson gave evidence in court on behalf of one of his former trainees and listened to the prosecution barrister's list of United's top players.

"You've missed Paul Scholes - and he's my best player," Ferguson chided her.

"People say he is a great player, but you have to define what a great player is, For me, it is a player who has a bottom level that means his worst performance is not noticed.If he is having a bad game, a team-mate might feel Paul Scholes is not quite on his game, but a spectator wouldn't notice. Scholes, of all the players I have played with, has the highest bottom level. His reading of the game is unsurpassed.He has an eye for a pass, for what the play or the game needs at that precise moment, that I have never seen anyone else have. He controls and distributes the play and the game better than anyone I have ever seen" Schmeichel told BBC Sport.

Van Nistelrooy told FourFourTwo
"You have a special chemistry with certain players," explains the Dutchman, "and with me, at Manchester United, it's with Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes. Things just seem to click. What I like most about Paul, though, is that he is the epitome of a professional footballer, He comes to training, then goes home and spends his time with his family. He doesn't like all the hoo-ha outside the football, the interviews with papers and on TV. He prefers to just live his own life and he refuses to be a media object or a public figure. I have nothing but admiration for him."

Eric Harrison
“When he played in the junior sides he used to have his own personal fan club that would come just to watch him!”

eagle eye

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

But that's just merely speculation though isn't it? Since he spent all his career with United we'll never know.

But its based on other players getting cards in circumstances exactly like the ones where Scholes didn't get carded.

dfx-

LuckyCharms wrote: »

Compiled quotes from various sources on the man himself :

Glenn Hoddle
"There isn’t a player of his mould anywhere else in the world."

Sam Allardyce
"There is not a better midfield player in the world."

Ah now here, come on...

In his prime, late 90s, early 2000s, a terrific player. Not so much in the last 5 years. I think the rarity of his skillset in English football might give him more of a legend status than perhaps warranted. But it is that rarity that makes him a legend..

Fuhrer

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Its well known he is, at best, a "bad" tackler, arsene wenger and Sergio Busquets agree!

Well, if those two paradigms of honesty and sportsmanship say so...

eagle eye

dfx- wrote: »

Ah now here, come on...

In his prime, late 90s, early 2000s, a terrific player. Not so much in the last 5 years. I think the rarity of his skillset in English football might give him more of a legend status than perhaps warranted. But it is that rarity that makes him a legend..

I'd be the exact opposite to you. I think his best years were the last five and he was just very good during his time in the 90s and the early 00s.

Mars Bar

I wonder will he play with Oldham for a season?

I thought that was where he always wanted to finish off?

Sgt Pepper 64

LuckyCharms wrote: »

Class player, will be missed more so than any of the other legends we have retired imo. Hopefully he will become part of the coaching staff of the club to help herald in the next wave of Fergies fledglings !

Compiled quotes from various sources on the man himself :


Laurent Blanc
“I tell anyone who asks me - Scholes is the best English player.”

"Scholes is the best English player. Intelligence, technique, strength... all the attributes are there. At Manchester United I saw what he could do on the training field. Phew!"

Roy Keane
“An amazingly gifted player who remained an unaffected human being.“

Marcello Lippi
“Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team - that goes to show how highly I have always rated him. He would have been one of the first players I’d have bought, given the chance.”

“An all-round midfielder who possesses quality and character in abundance.“

Thierry Henry
"He knows how to do everything, and he is the one who directs the way his team plays. On top of that, he has indestructible mental strength, and he is a genuine competitor."

"I can't understand why Scholes has never won the player of the year award. He should have won it long ago. Maybe it's because he doesn't seek the limelight like some of the other 'stars'."

Clive Tyldesley
"Some of Paul Scholes' tackles come in so late they arrive yesterday."

Pep Guardiola
"Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes - he is the best midfielder of his generation, I would have loved to have played alongside him."

Jose Mourinho
“Scholes? Fantastic! Why isn’t he playing for England? It is crazy. Only in England. Scholes is a great, great player. So experienced and still, for me, one of the best in the world in midfield. Manchester United are lucky to have him.”

Micah Richards
"He's always in the right position, always seems to be at the end of the box when the ball drops in. The complete midfielder - when he's fit, he's the best. Some go missing but he's in the right place at the right time. He's my favourite player of all-time, unbelievable. If you give him a chance it's a goal, isn't it?"

Glenn Hoddle
"There isn’t a player of his mould anywhere else in the world."

Terry Venables
"He’s the best one- or two-touch passer in the country. He sees the game unlike any other player."

Alan Shearer
"If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many of them will pick Paul Scholes. He can tackle, and his passing and shooting is of the highest level. He’s the most consistent and naturally gifted player we’ve had for a long, long time."

Eidur Gudjohnsen
"I'm more an admirer of Paul Scholes than I am of Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a fantastic player, but he has 10 other great players around him every week...Scholes is one of the most complete footballers I've ever seen. His one-touch play is phenomenal. Whenever I have played against him, I never felt I could get close to him."

Edgar Davids
""Every one of us (midfielders) is just trying to become as good as him. Everyone can learn from Paul Scholes."

"I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is."

Tony Adams
"I really rate Paul Scholes, because he hasn't got the high profile of many of the Manchester United players, he doesn't get too much attention, but he is one very good player. He is an intelligent player, he works hard and he scores some great goals. He is not flamboyant and is a quiet lad off the pitch but he is a tremendous asset to Manchester United and to England. He has already got my vote as player of the year."

Cesc Fabregas
"He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League."

Patrick Vieira
"The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy - Scholes."

Zinedine Zidane
"My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder."

"Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation."

Sam Allardyce
"There is not a better midfield player in the world."

Kevin Keegan
"What United have got that Chelsea haven't is Paul Scholes. I think he is different to anything else in English football."

Ray Wilkins
"I'm saddened because I think we as spectators, not only in this country but right throughout Europe and the rest of the World, will be missing one hell of a footballer."

Gordon Strachan
"Paul Scholes has been the best England midfield player for 30-odd years. You'd probably have to go back to Bobby Charlton to find someone who could do as much as Scholes. When the ball arrives at his feet he could tell you where every player on that pitch is at that moment. His awareness is superb."

Veron while at Chelsea being asked in an interview who's the best English player : "Paul Scholes."

Socrates was asked about what he thought of English football.
"Paul Scho-les," smiled the father of six, whose youngest is three. "Good enough to play for Brazil. I love to watch Scho-les, to see him pass, the boy with the red hair and the red shirt."

United sources:

Peter Schmeichel
"People say he is a great player, but you have to define what a great player is, For me, it is a player who has a bottom level that means his worst performance is not noticed.If he is having a bad game, a team-mate might feel Paul Scholes is not quite on his game, but a spectator wouldn't notice. Scholes, of all the players I have played with, has the highest bottom level. His reading of the game is unsurpassed.He has an eye for a pass, for what the play or the game needs at that precise moment, that I have never seen anyone else have. He controls and distributes the play and the game better than anyone I have ever seen."

"Still the best player in that United midfield."

Michael Carrick
"Paul Scholes is just fantastic. When you play alongside him, you realise what a special talent he is."

"He is a legend and he's going to be remembered for a long time. Just to play alongside him and learn from him has been an absolute pleasure. I think he is a footballer's footballer; he has been at this level for so long. As long as he is part of us we always feel we have a chance. We appreciate the way he goes about his business. I have never met a character like Scholesy; certainly not someone who is that good."

Park Ji Sung
When asked by the club’s official home page which United player he would like to see in the red shirt of the Taeguk Warriors : “It has to be Paul Scholes.”

David Beckham
Said that, among his teammates at Real Madrid, which included Zinedine Zidane, Raúl, Ronaldo, Luís Figo and Roberto Carlos, Scholes was the most admired opponent: "He's always one of those people others talk about. Even playing at Real Madrid, the players always say to me 'what's he like'? They respect him as a footballer, and to have that respect from some of those players is great."

Brian Kidd
"Paul Scholes had the best football brain I'd ever seen in a kid. Let's face it. Paul Scholes is in a class of its own."

Rio Ferdinand
"I can honestly say Paul is the best player in the England squad. For me he is the complete player."

"For me, it's Paul Scholes. He'll do ridiculous things in training like say, "You see that tree over there?" - It’ll be 40 yards away - "I'm going to hit it". And he'll do it. Everyone at the club considers him the best."

Phil Neville
"Paul, for me, is the best player in the England team. It worries teams. Speak to any other international team and they will single Paul out as England's key player. For me, he doesn't get the full credit that he deserves. He is a world-class player and deserves to be up there with the likes of Zidane and Figo."

Gary Neville
"I wouldn't swap Paul Scholes for anybody. He is quite simply the most complete footballer I have ever played with. He is the best."

"Paul Scholes is the best player I've ever played with. There's talent in every part of his game."

Steve Bruce
"He's the best player in Britain in my opinion and he has to get himself fit just before we are due to play at Old Trafford. I cannot pay Paul a bigger compliment than to say that he's the most complete footballer in the country. The best bar none."

George Best
"To be honest I think England have lost their best player. Certainly he's the most consistent and naturally gifted player we've had for a long, long time."

Sir Bobby Charlton
"I am sorry for England because they don't have any player like him. You can talk about others but there is no one else like him. He is the best technical player England has without any question. He could have had a lot more caps if he had carried on. And if I was the manager he would have ended up with more than I did – easy"

“England don’t have another player like him. He could have had a lot more caps if he had carried on. And if I was the manager he would have ended up with more than I did – easy."

"He’s always so in control and pinpoint accurate with his passing – a beautiful player to watch."

"Paul Scholes is my favourite player. He epitomises the spirit of Manchester United and everything that is good about football."

“Players like Denis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Ferguson era. And in so many ways Scholes is my favourite. I love his nous and conviction that he’ll find a way to win, to make the killer pass or produce a decisive volley.

“When a game reaches a vital phase, these qualities seem to come out of his every pore. He’s always on the ball. He’s always looking to bring other people into the action and if he loses possession you think he must be ill.”

Sir Alex Ferguson
"Very few players can do that, but Scholes is one of them - and I knew he was one of them. That's why, without question, I think Paul Scholes is the best player in England. He's got the best skills, the best brain. No one can match him."

"He has an awareness of what’s happening around him on the edge of the box which is better than most players. As a kid he always had a knack of arriving in the penalty area just at the right time, but he’s proving just as effective from outside the box because he’s using his experience in the right way. It doesn’t matter who I am thinking about bringing into my midfield, Paul Scholes will be included, as he would in any side in the world."

Sir Alex Ferguson gave evidence in court on behalf of one of his former trainees and listened to the prosecution barrister's list of United's top players.

"You've missed Paul Scholes - and he's my best player," Ferguson chided her.

"People say he is a great player, but you have to define what a great player is, For me, it is a player who has a bottom level that means his worst performance is not noticed.If he is having a bad game, a team-mate might feel Paul Scholes is not quite on his game, but a spectator wouldn't notice. Scholes, of all the players I have played with, has the highest bottom level. His reading of the game is unsurpassed.He has an eye for a pass, for what the play or the game needs at that precise moment, that I have never seen anyone else have. He controls and distributes the play and the game better than anyone I have ever seen" Schmeichel told BBC Sport.

Van Nistelrooy told FourFourTwo
"You have a special chemistry with certain players," explains the Dutchman, "and with me, at Manchester United, it's with Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes. Things just seem to click. What I like most about Paul, though, is that he is the epitome of a professional footballer, He comes to training, then goes home and spends his time with his family. He doesn't like all the hoo-ha outside the football, the interviews with papers and on TV. He prefers to just live his own life and he refuses to be a media object or a public figure. I have nothing but admiration for him."

Eric Harrison
“When he played in the junior sides he used to have his own personal fan club that would come just to watch him!”

Sergio Busquets - "Ouch"!

Pablo Zabaleta - " I say - that hurt quite a bit!"

Samir Nasri - "You nearly broke my leg!"

osullic

Scholes was an absolute hero for all us united fans.Its just depressing to look at what we have in midfield without him.
I'll never forget the champions league match against juventus where Scholes and Keane were sensational.

Is it confirmed that he is retiring yet??
No mention of it on sky sports news there when they were showing footage of utd's victory parade.

Boskowski

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

I think this is a clear winner for the funniest and perhaps the most delusional post of the year.

Look, I'm not saying he's not good. He is, he is what they call 'a great player' these days. But they say that about Pirlo and they say that about friggin Ballack and a lot of other great midfielders.

Here it sounds you're just shy of puttin' him up there with Zidane and Zico and whatnot. All I'm saying is let's not get carried away. It's Paul fkn Scholes great midfielder of a great side ye but hardly the Messiah of English football or anything.

Liam O

dfx- wrote: »

Ah now here, come on...

In his prime, late 90s, early 2000s, a terrific player. Not so much in the last 5 years. I think the rarity of his skillset in English football might give him more of a legend status than perhaps warranted. But it is that rarity that makes him a legend..

5 years? 3 years ago he had one of his best seasons in a United shirt imo.

m@cc@

Boskowski wrote: »

Here it sounds you're just shy of puttin' him up there with Zidane and Zico and whatnot. All I'm saying is let's not get carried away. It's Paul fkn Scholes great midfielder of a great side ye but hardly the Messiah of English football or anything.

A player you've referenced referred to him as 'the best midfielder of his generation. Not to dismiss your opinion, but I'd trust Zizou knows what he's on about.

Liam O

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Sergio Busquets - "Ouch"!

Pablo Zabaleta - " I say - that hurt quite a bit!"

Samir Nasri - "You nearly broke my leg!"

Sergio Busquets 2 days ago: 'Scholes can I please have your jersey, you are one of the best players I've seen play the centre midfield position'

Boskowski

Liam O wrote: »

Sergio Busquets 2 days ago: 'Scholes can I please have your jersey, you are one of the best players I've seen play the centre midfield position'

Well then he wouldn't see a whole lot glimpsing through his fingers while holding his face in 'agony'.

eagle eye

m@cc@ wrote: »

A player you've referenced referred to him as 'the best midfielder of his generation. Not to dismiss your opinion, but I'd trust Zizou knows what he's on about.

Zizou is a politician in all fairness, he called Gerrard the best player in the world two years ago I think it was. Ahead of Messi and Ronaldo not to mention Xavi, Iniesta, Rooney and a bunch of others.

m@cc@

Boskowski wrote: »

Well then he wouldn't see a whole lot glimpsing through his fingers while holding his face in 'agony'.

I thought this thread was about Paul Scholes.

Sgt Pepper 64

Liam O wrote: »

Sergio Busquets 2 days ago: 'Scholes can I please have your jersey, you are one of the best players I've seen play the centre midfield position'

Of course he did!?

Any link to back that up? Not that it matters as the "tackle" actually happened!

Whilst yes, I can appreciate the passing, you must admit that tackling was not his strongpoint?

Fuhrer

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Of course he did!?

Any link to back that up? Not that it matters as the "tackle" actually happened!

Whilst yes, I can appreciate the passing, you must admit that tackling was not his strongpoint?

How do you make the jump from his tackling not being the strongest to a dirty cheating fecker, that you hate?

paulgalway

Paul Scholes

m@cc@

paulgalway wrote: »

Paul Scholes

*see Arsene Wenger quotes in a Daily Fail article*

*closes link*

Nalz

Has this been confirmed?

Carroller16 wrote: »

How do we know he has retired?

dfx-

Gerrard = "Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better"

All this quoting of players and managers is like statistics, you can have them suit an argument - doesn't really add validity to his legend status

Vic Vinegar

Trilla wrote: »

Has this been confirmed?

No, it hasn't!

Sgt Pepper 64

Fuhrer wrote: »

How do you make the jump from his tackling not being the strongest to a dirty cheating fecker, that you hate?

yes yes., Mein fuhrer, i heartily apologise for that, I've taken the pills and coffee now

Dean820

I read a quote earlier Scholes was looking forward to winning another title next season. Not sure if he has even retired.

m@cc@

dfx- wrote: »

All this quoting of players and managers is like statistics, you can have them suit an argument - doesn't really add validity to his legend status

There is no argument, this is an appreciation thread. It's hardly an ambigious thread title.

Liam O

dfx- wrote: »

Gerrard = "Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better"

All this quoting of players and managers is like statistics, you can have them suit an argument - doesn't really add validity to his legend status

So Gerrard talking about his teammate is the same as Guardiola, Zidane, Lippi, Xavi, Iniesta etc. talking about a player who they've played or managed against? Not really tbh...

Liam O

Reads this

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Sergio Busquets - "Ouch"!

Pablo Zabaleta - " I say - that hurt quite a bit!"

Samir Nasri - "You nearly broke my leg!"

Then reads this

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Of course he did!?

Any link to back that up? Not that it matters as the "tackle" actually happened!

Does this

5starpool

I don't know how this thread descended so rapidly into crap, but it is fair to say that Scholes has been one of the best players, if not the best, of the premier league era. Sure, he had maybe more than his fair share of bad tackles, but when you are thoroughly committed and with slightly dodgy timing in tackes at times, that allied with the high profile club you play for will get the tackles noticed.

There is no doubt though that his range of passing, use of space, and eye for goal were one of utd's main threats for many years. Despite the fact that he played for utd, I never had any dislike of Scholes personally, and that is as high a compliment as I can give him really after nearly 20 years at the club.

Football will miss him if he is retiring, but the opposition won't.