Paul Scholes

Paul Aaron Scholes (born 16 November 1974) is an English football coach, pundit, former player, and co-owner of Salford City. He spent his entire professional playing career with Manchester United, for whom he scored over 150 goals in more than 700 appearances between 1993 and 2013. He is widely regarded by pundits, managers and other former players as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He is also considered to be one of the greatest Manchester United players of all time.[3][4][5]

Paul Scholes
Scholes in a charity match in 2017
Personal information
Full name Paul Aaron Scholes[1]
Date of birth (1974-11-16) 16 November 1974[1]
Place of birth Salford, England
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1991–1993 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–2011 Manchester United 466 (102)
2012–2013 Manchester United 33 (5)
Total 499 (107)
International career
1993 England U18 3 (0)
1997–2004 England 66 (14)
Managerial career
2015 Salford City (joint caretaker)
2019 Oldham Athletic
2020 Salford City (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Scholes came through the Manchester United youth academy as one of Fergie's Fledglings, a group of players recruited by Manchester United under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson. Scholes made his full debut for Manchester United in the 1994–95 season. He went on to make 718 appearances for the club, the third-highest number of appearances by any player for the club. Scholes announced his retirement from playing in May 2011 and was appointed as a coach at Manchester United. He returned to playing in January 2012, and played one more season for the club before retiring again in May 2013.[6][7] With Manchester United, Scholes won 25 trophies including 11 Premier League titles (more than any other English player) and two UEFA Champions League titles.[8][9]

Scholes represented the England national team from 1997 to 2004, gaining 66 caps and participating in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, as well as the UEFA Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 tournaments. Scholes announced his retirement from international football in August 2004, citing his family life and his club career with Manchester United as being more important.[10] Scholes' first managerial position was at Oldham Athletic, for 31 days in February and March 2019. In 2020, he had a short spell as interim manager of Salford City.

Over his career Scholes has received praise from various players and managers, including Pelé, Zinedine Zidane, Xavi, Thierry Henry and Pep Guardiola. Scholes was named in the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2001–02) Domestic and Overall Team of the Decade. In 2008, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.[11] In February 2018, FourFourTwo ranked Scholes 22nd in their list of 101 greatest footballers in the last 25 years since their first edition in summer 1994.[12]

Early life

Scholes was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. On his mother's side, his grandmother came from Ireland while his grandfather was from Northern Ireland.[13] The family moved to Langley, Greater Manchester, when he was 18 months old, where he lived on Bowness Road and Talkin Drive.[14] He attended the St Mary's RC Primary School in Langley. The first team he played for was Langley Furrow. Scholes also excelled at cricket. At age 14, he began training with Manchester United.[15] He later joined as a trainee upon leaving the Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School in Middleton during the summer of 1991.[14] In his final term at school, he was selected to represent Great Britain National Schools in football.

Club career

1993–1999

Scholes was a member of the Manchester United youth team that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in the 1992–93 season, alongside Phil Neville.[16] Scholes turned professional on 23 July 1993 and was issued with the number 24 shirt, but did not make his breakthrough into the senior squad until the 1994–95 season, when he made seventeen league appearances and scored five goals.

His debut came on 21 September 1994, where he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over Port Vale in the League Cup. His league debut came three days later against Ipswich Town at Portman Road, a game which United lost 3–2 and Scholes scored a consolation goal. He scored two league goals when he came on 10 December when United beat Queens Park Rangers 3–2 at Loftus Road. On 3 January 1995, he got onto the scoresheet at Old Trafford for the first time with the opener in a 2–0 league win over Coventry City. He scored once more that season, in a 3–2 away win over Coventry City on 1 May.[17]

Scholes came on as a substitute in the 1995 FA Cup final against Everton, which United lost 1–0. He came close to scoring twice late in the game, only to be foiled by Neville Southall both times.

In 1995–96, after Mark Hughes moved to Chelsea, Scholes had more first-team opportunities, standing in for the suspended Eric Cantona as Andrew Cole's strike partner for the first two months of the campaign. Scholes scored 14 goals in all competitions as United became the first English team to win the double twice. He picked up another Premier League winners medal in 1996–97 – in this season he changed his shirt number to 18, which he held for the next 15 years.

Manchester United players celebrate their second goal by Scholes in the 1999 FA Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium

In the 1996 close season, when United unsuccessfully tried to sign Alan Shearer from Blackburn Rovers, the Ewood Park club reportedly demanded that United should offer Scholes in exchange if any bid for Shearer from United was to be considered. By this stage, Scholes was rated at £5 million. Shearer, however, never came to Old Trafford, instead joining Newcastle United for £15 million.[18]

After Roy Keane suffered a knee injury in late September 1997 and was ruled out for the rest of the season, Scholes was made a central midfielder in the 1997–98 season. United finished the season without a major trophy, only the second time in the 1990s that this happened.[19]

In 1998–99, Scholes was a key player in Manchester United's Premier League title, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League treble success. He scored one of Manchester United's two goals against Newcastle in the FA Cup final. He also scored an away goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-final. He came on as a substitute in the second leg of the semi-final against Juventus[20] as Sir Alex Ferguson opted for Nicky Butt in the starting line up. He picked up a yellow card which ruled him out of the final victory over Bayern Munich through suspension.[21]

2000–2011

During the 1999–2000 season, Scholes scored one of the finest goals of his career against Bradford City on 25 March 2000. David Beckham took a corner directly to Scholes, who was standing on the edge of the area, who volleyed it in over Dwight Yorke, who was forced to duck.[22] A week later, Scholes scored the first hat-trick of his United career against West Ham United in a 7–1 victory that put United ten points clear.[23]

During the 2001–02 transfer window, United completed the signing of Argentine international Juan Sebastián Verón.[24] In order to accommodate Scholes and Verón, Ferguson persisted with the 4–4–1–1 formation, with Scholes playing at the withdrawn striker role behind Ruud van Nistelrooy, as Roy Keane and Verón played in central midfield (CM).[25] In European away fixtures, Scholes was often played in central midfield alongside Verón as Keane anchored.[26]

Scholes netted a career-high 20 goals in all competitions in the 2002–03 season, including a hat-trick in a 6–2 win against Newcastle.[27] a number that dipped to fourteen the next year. This was despite a career-best four FA Cup goals, in comparison to his total of five FA Cup goals scored in his first nine seasons.

Scholes playing for United in December 2006

Scholes scored the winning goal in the 2003–04 FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal,[28] and played in the final which United won 3–0 against Millwall,[29] his last FA Cup winners medal. He also played in the 2005 FA Cup final, but saw his penalty saved by Jens Lehmann as they lost to Arsenal in a penalty shootout.[30]

Scholes was ruled out for the second half of the 2005–06 campaign with blurred vision.[31] The cause of this was initially uncertain, sparking fears that it could end his career.[32] He overcame this problem through the beginning of the year and he appeared in United's final game of the season against Charlton Athletic.[33]

On 22 October 2006, in the 2–0 victory over Liverpool, Scholes became the ninth United player to play in 500 matches, joining Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes and Ryan Giggs.[34]

Scholes experienced one of his finest seasons in 2006–07,[35] and was included in the PFA Team of the Year,[36] and was shortlisted for the PFA Players' Player of the Year.[37] One of his finest performances of the season came in a 4–1 win against Blackburn Rovers, where United were 1–0 down but Scholes "got hold of the game by the scruff of the neck" and scored the equalising goal.[38][39] Scholes was dismissed during United's 1–0 away victory over Liverpool on 3 March 2007 for swinging an arm at Xabi Alonso.[40] It marked his first league sending off since April 2005.[41] A month later, he was sent off in the first leg of United's Champions League quarter-final at Roma.

Scholes with Owen Hargreaves after United's defeat to Manchester City on 10 February 2008

Scholes suffered knee ligament damage during a training session the night before United's Champions League Group F match with Dynamo Kyiv on 23 October 2007, and was out of action until the end of January 2008.[42] He returned as a substitute in United's 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup. On 23 April 2008, Scholes made his 100th Champions League appearance in a 0–0 draw away to Barcelona in the semi-final first leg, and scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory in the second leg that sent United into the final.[43] During the final against Chelsea, he suffered an injury and received a yellow card after a clash with Claude Makélélé; he was substituted in the 87th minute and did not take part in the penalty shoot-out, which United won 6–5 after drawing 1–1 after extra time.[44] In the 2008 UEFA Super Cup against Zenit Saint Petersburg, Scholes was sent off after he received a second yellow card for a deliberate handball.[45]

Scholes was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in September 2008.[46]

On 22 April 2009, he made his 600th appearance for United in a 2–0 win over Portsmouth.[47]

On 16 February 2010, Scholes scored his third Champions League goal of the season against Milan in a 3–2 win; it was also United's first away goal against Milan. This gave United their first away win over Milan and also made Scholes the first player to score against both Inter Milan and Milan at the San Siro in the Champions League.[48] The goal against AC Milan was Scholes' 25th Champions League goal in total, and with 25 goals to his name, Scholes is the highest goal-scoring central midfielder in Champions League history.[49]

On 6 March 2010, Scholes became the 19th player in Premier League history to score 100 goals, and also the third United player after Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to do so, in the 2009–10 season, netting the only goal in a 1–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium.[50][51] On 16 April 2010, Scholes signed a new one-year contract with United, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2010–11 season.[52]

Scholes's testimonial match at Old Trafford, August 2011

Scholes began the 2010–11 season strongly, displaying Man of the Match performances against Chelsea in the 2010 Community Shield on 8 August[53] and eight days later in the opening fixture of the new league campaign against Newcastle United as he assisted two goals in a 3–0 home victory.[54] Scholes scored his 150th goal for United in a 2–2 away draw against Fulham on 22 August;[55] he was also awarded the Premier League Player of the Month for August 2010.[56] In April 2011, Scholes was sent off for a high challenge on Pablo Zabaleta in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City; United went on to lose the fixture 1–0.[57]

He announced his retirement on 31 May 2011, with immediate effect, and joined the coaching staff at Old Trafford.[58]

On 5 August 2011, United held a testimonial match to honour his 17 years of service to the club. The match was played at Old Trafford against New York Cosmos.[59][60] United won the match 6–0, with Scholes opening the scoring with a trademark strike from 25 yards, in front of a sell out 74,731 crowd.

2012–2013
Scholes playing for United against Sunderland in 2012

Having been training with Manchester United's reserve team, Scholes' desire to play football returned and he approached Alex Ferguson and assistant manager Mike Phelan with a view to coming out of retirement, possibly for another club if they declined to have him back at United; however, the club had been going through an injury crisis in midfield, and on 8 January 2012, Scholes made his comeback as a substitute in a 3–2 win over neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup. Since the number 18 shirt had been given to Ashley Young, Scholes wore the number 22 shirt.[61]

Scholes made his first start in the next game against Bolton Wanderers, where he scored his first goal since returning in a 3–0 victory at Old Trafford, converting a Wayne Rooney pass; this meant he had scored at least one goal in every season in the Premier League since 1994–95.[62] He scored his second goal since coming back in a 2–1 away win against Norwich City on 26 February, heading home a cross from Nani.[63] On 8 April, he scored in a 2–0 win against Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford, helping United to go eight points clear of rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.[64]

On 30 May, Scholes signed a one-year extension with Manchester United, keeping him at the club until summer 2013.[14][65][66] He marked his 700th appearance for Manchester United by scoring in a 4–0 win at home to Wigan Athletic on 15 September 2012.[67] This goal meant that he had scored in his 19th consecutive Premier League season, a feat only surpassed by teammate Ryan Giggs, who holds the record of 21 consecutive seasons.

On 11 May 2013, Scholes announced that he would make his second and final retirement from football at the end of the season.[68] Scholes made his 499th and final professional league appearance on 19 May 2013 against West Bromwich Albion as a substitute. During the game, Scholes earned his 97th Premier League yellow card, at the time the third most in the history of the Premier League behind Lee Bowyer (102) and Kevin Davies (101).

2018

In August 2018, Scholes briefly came out of retirement from football at the age of 43 and played a match for his son's team, Royton Town of the Manchester Football League Premier Division, against Stockport Georgians. Royton lost the fixture 1–0.[69]

International career

Scholes made his international debut against South Africa in 1997 in a 2–1 friendly win at Old Trafford, and was included in the England squad for the 1998 World Cup. England were grouped with Colombia, Tunisia and Romania. During England's first World Cup group match against Tunisia, Scholes sealed a 2–0 victory with a goal late in the game.

His international career continued after England's elimination from the World Cup by Argentina on penalties in the first knock-out round. On 27 March 1999, Scholes managed a hat-trick for England in a game against Poland. In addition, Scholes scored both goals in England's 2–0 win at Hampden Park over Scotland in the Euro 2000 play-off first leg, sealing a 2–1 aggregate win and qualification for the finals tournament. In a qualifier against Sweden that June, Scholes became the first and last England player to be sent off in an international match at the old Wembley Stadium.[15]

With the turn of the century, Scholes became a prominent player in England's midfield, becoming a first-choice selection for the 2002 World Cup. Immediately prior to Euro 2004, however, Scholes was played out of position on the left midfield to accommodate the pairing of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield, starting on the left for the last five matches of his international career.[70] Scholes announced his retirement from international football in August 2004, citing his family life and his club career with Manchester United as being more important.[10]

Following the departure of England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson in 2006, there was speculation regarding Scholes making himself available for international duty again under new boss Steve McClaren. In October 2006, McClaren said that he had personally asked Scholes twice to rejoin England, but Scholes declined.[71] In May 2010, McClaren's successor Fabio Capello approached Scholes about a return to international football in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup, but Scholes again rejected the offer, saying he would prefer to spend time with his family.[72] On 7 June 2010, Scholes stated that if Capello had given him more time and asked earlier, he would have probably taken the opportunity.[73] On 27 July 2010, Scholes expressed his disappointment in not taking the opportunity to play at another World Cup, saying he may have made a mistake.[74]

Player profile

Style of play

Scholes was highly regarded for his technical skills, and renowned for his accurate passing, intelligent movement and powerful shooting from long range. Though he played mostly as a striker in his youth and early professional career, Scholes matured into a well-rounded, tenacious, and versatile playmaker capable of playing in any midfield position, often alternating between defensive, offensive, wide and playmaking roles, due to his stamina, vision, work-rate, and positional sense. Scholes was renowned for his late attacking runs and ability to combine with teammates, as well as an excellent capacity to read the game and control the tempo of play, which enabled him to function in a deep-seated creative role as well as in a box-to-box role in the centre of the pitch; he played in the centre for much of the earlier part of his career, while he was instead deployed in a deeper role in the later part of his career. Scholes possessed an extraordinary range of passing and frequently initiated dangerous attacking plays after winning back possession.[75][76]

In an interview with FourFourTwo, Scholes admitted to not being blessed with notable pace or dribbling skills, and attributed his calmness and ability to retain possession under pressure to having a sharp brain, excellent awareness, and good link-up play.[77][78][79] He was also used in a more advanced creative role on occasion, as a deep-lying forward behind an out-and-out striker.[25] At international level, he was also occasionally used out of position on the left flank.[70]

Reception

My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation... There is no doubt for me that he [Paul Scholes] is still in a class of his own. He's almost untouchable in what he does. I never tire of watching him play. You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get. One of my regrets is that the opportunity to play alongside him never presented itself during my career.[80][81]

Zinedine Zidane

Many have described Scholes as one of the few English players capable of "pulling the strings" in midfield, controlling the tempo, dictating the flow of the game and distributing the play.

Many of his peers including Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Thierry Henry, Luís Figo, Andrea Pirlo, Edgar Davids, Patrick Vieira, Xabi Alonso and Deco; former teammates including Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand, Carlos Tevez and Juan Sebastián Verón; retired players including Diego Maradona, Pelé, George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sócrates; managers including Pep Guardiola, Marcello Lippi, José Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson have spoken about their admiration for his talent.[82][83][84][85][86][87][88]

Former Argentina midfielder and captain Diego Maradona commented that Scholes' "technique is unique".[86] Former Brazil forward Pelé claimed, "If he was playing with me, I would have scored so many more."[86] In November 2004,[89] former Brazil midfielder and captain Sócrates was asked for his views on the English game he replied, "...I think of Paul Scholes. He's good enough to play for Brazil. I love to watch Scholes, to see him pass..."[90] Former England midfielder and Manchester United captain Sir Bobby Charlton commented, "Paul is always so in control and pin-point accurate with his passing – a beautiful player to watch."[91][92] Former Northern Ireland and Manchester United midfielder George Best declared him "simply the best".[86]

In 2001, Netherlands and Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids said, "I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is.[93] We [midfielders] can all learn from Paul Scholes."[84] In 2003, when France captain and Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane was asked "what does it feel like to be the best player in the world?" He answered, "I don't know, ask Paul Scholes."[88] In a separate interview when he was asked who was his toughest opponent, he replied, "Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation."[82]

Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi referred to Scholes as "an inspiration".[86] Portugal forward and former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said he is the best player he has played with and described him as "amazing".[86] Brazil and Real Madrid striker Ronaldo called him "the phenomenon".[87] Brazil and Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho remarked, "I want to pass like him. Who taught him how to do that?"[86][88] In 2009, Barcelona forward and France captain, and former captain Thierry Henry said, "Without any doubt the best player in the Premiership has to be Paul Scholes. 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."[82] In October 2015, Henry named Scholes as the best player in Premier League history.[94][95]

In February 2011, Spain and Barcelona midfielder Xavi rated Scholes as the best player in his position in the past two decades and that he might have been more highly rated if he had been Spanish commenting, "A role model. For me – and I really mean this – he's the best central midfielder I've seen in the last 15, 20 years... He's spectacular, he has it all: the last pass, goals, he's strong, he doesn't lose the ball, vision."[96] In May of the same year, another Spain and Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta described him as a living legend.[97] Former Portugal, Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder Luís Figo remarked, "I'm star-struck when I see Paul Scholes because you never see him. On the pitch you can't catch him. Off the pitch he disappears."[86][88]

In January 2011, Spain and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso commented that midfielders like Scholes "form part of the 'ideal'" and that "he is a role model".[98] In January 2015, Italy captain and Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, selected him as the only English player in his dream Champions League XI and commented, "You could see every pass, every decision, was based on his intelligence and understanding."[99] Former Arsenal and France midfielder and captain Patrick Vieira named him as the player in the Premiership he admires the most.[100] In February 2016, former Portugal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Deco named him as the best player that he saw playing for an English midfield and one of the best players in the world."[101]

In July 2010, Netherlands and Bayern Munich midfielder Arjen Robben commented that he is a big admirer of Scholes and that "he is one of the best players of his generation."[102] In January 2011, Iceland and former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eiður Guðjohnsen described him as one of the most complete footballers he has ever seen and commented that his "one-touch play is phenomenal".[103] Former Spain, Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fàbregas commented that he is a player with character and is capable of transmitting the mental strength of extra motivation and confidence to his team-mates.[83] Former Netherlands captain and Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel said he admired "his intelligent movement and powerful shooting from long range" and commented that "his technical skills and accurate passing were remarkable."[104]

In October 2000, Arsenal defender, and England teammate and captain Tony Adams commented about Scholes that "He is an intelligent player, he works hard and he scores some great goals."[105] In June 2004, Newcastle United striker, former and England teammate and captain Alan Shearer commented, "He can tackle, and his passing and shooting is of the highest level."[106] In April 2012, Shearer added that he is the best player he has played with and against, and commented, "he's got absolutely everything that a midfielder needs. Playing with him for England, you knew that when you made a run, the ball was going to come at you with precision nine times out of 10..."[107] In May 2011, Manchester United forward, teammate and captain, and former England teammate Wayne Rooney said he is the best player he has played with or against.[108] In September 2017, Rooney echoed this and commented, "He was the one player who had that game-management, and the mind which would have allowed him to go and play anywhere."[109]

In 2008, Manchester United and England defender and teammate Rio Ferdinand named Scholes as the current teammate he rates most highly.[93] In February 2011, former Wales forward and Manchester United teammate Ryan Giggs named Scholes the Manchester United's greatest ever player and commented, "I've seen him do things that no other player can do. The way he can control the tempo of games, and his range of passing, are both incredible."[110] In May of the same year, former England defender and former Manchester United teammate Gary Pallister said, "He's got a great footballing brain and a great appetite to win."[111] In January 2012, Manchester United and England midfielder and teammate Nicky Butt said, "He is a phenomenal player... He dictates play and keeps things simple. There is no one better at doing that..."[112] In February 2020, former England and Manchester United striker and teammate Michael Owen remarked, "Nobody on this planet had a range of passing like Paul Scholes."[113][114]

Whilst playing at Chelsea, Argentina midfielder and former Manchester United teammate Juan Sebastián Verón named Scholes as the best English player.[86] In February 2009, Bulgaria striker and Manchester United teammate Dimitar Berbatov said, "Nobody else in the world can play the way Scholes does. The passes he produces all over the field and the way he changes the game is brilliant..."[115] In January 2011, Portuguese winger and Manchester United teammate Nani commented, "He's the best midfielder I've ever seen. He can pass, score goals with his left, right, his head – he can do anything."[116] In February 2015, another former Manchester United teammate and Argentina forward, Carlos Tevez, described him as the best passer alongside whom he had ever played.[117] In July 2020, former Netherlands striker and former Manchester United teammate Robin van Persie recalled "On a daily basis, I saw Scholes giving passes I had never seen before..."[118]

Former Denmark goalkeeper and former Manchester United teammate Peter Schmeichel commented, "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."[83][93] In May 2019, former Netherlands defender and Manchester United teammate Jaap Stam said he thought Scholes was one of the best players he played with in his career and commented, "He was probably the complete midfield player, he had everything. The goalscoring, his passing was very high quality, technically he was very strong, he could run and he wasn't afraid to put in a tackle as well."[119]

In September 2006, former England manager Terry Venables called Scholes "the best one or two-touch passer in the country."[120] Another former England manager Glenn Hoddle claimed "There isn't a player of his mould anywhere else in the world."[85] In June 2005, former Liverpool and England forward, and former England manager Kevin Keegan commented, "...I think he is different to anything else in English football. He links midfield to attack and can score goals as well. He is a clever player and can find some wonderful positions."[121] In August 2017, England manager and former England teammate Gareth Southgate said, "You've got very good players and then there are top players. In my time in the England setup, Paul Gascoigne, Paul Scholes and [Wayne] Rooney just had that little bit more than all the others. And we are talking high‑level people there, players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Beckham."[122] In December 2022, former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson said he thought he was the most talented player he ever coached describing him as "a playmaker, finisher" and "a brilliant football player".[123]

In May 2008, Italy and former Juventus manager Marcello Lippi commented that Scholes "combines great talent and technical ability with mobility, determination and a superb shot. He is an all-round midfielder who possesses character and quality in abundance."[93] In August 2010, BBC football pundit and former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen described him as "one of the top three to five players to have ever played in the Premier League," and commented, "His passing, movement and technique set examples to everyone."[124] Later in the month, Real Madrid manager and former Chelsea manager José Mourinho described him as "a great, great player" and "one of the best in the world in midfield".[86] In May 2011, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola hailed him to be "the best midfielder of his generation".[125] In February 2012, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp compared his playing style to Spanish players like Xavi or Iniesta and commented, "He does not give the ball away".[126]

The former head of Manchester United's youth team Eric Harrison commented about Scholes, "his positional sense is second to none and he knows what's around him before he receives the ball. Paul has no great pace or power, but he makes up for that with his reading of the game, his awareness and his superb touch."[93] Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson called him "One of the greatest football brains Manchester United has ever had".[83][127] Former Manchester United forward and youth team coach Brian Kidd echoed this saying he had the best football brain he had ever seen.[128]

Many, including Scholes' national teammates, have said that he was one of the few English players capable of "pulling the strings" in midfield, controlling the tempo, dictating the flow of the game and distributing the play where England often have been criticised for being nervous on the ball and giving away possession.[129][130]

Match discipline

Scholes received frequent criticism for his discipline, particularly regarding his tackling, which was questioned as frequently inept by multiple pundits, fans and Scholes himself.[131][132] In addition, the potential for malicious intent in some of his tackles has been raised;[133] it has been suggested that he has escaped greater censure due to the admiration that many have for the rest of his game.[134]

Scholes has been criticised for his disciplinary record, amassing the fifth-most yellow cards in Premier League history with 97, and also receiving four red cards.[2][135] He has also been booked 32 times in the Champions League, surpassed only by Sergio Ramos.[135][136] Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger criticised Scholes' tackling, stating, "For me he was not a fair player. There's a little bit of a darker side in him, sometimes, that I did not like. I respect him highly as a quality player but I did not like some things he did on the football pitch."[137] Scholes said in a BBC Radio 5 Live interview that he was not a bad tackler, but that, "If someone got me early in the game, it was always in the back of my mind that I needed to get them back", and suggested that the bookings he received towards the end of his career were influenced by his reputation.[138]

Football ownership and coaching career
Scholes in 2015

In 2014, it was announced that Scholes, along with fellow Manchester United legends Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, and Phil Neville, had agreed a deal to purchase Salford City ahead of the 2014–15 season.[139][140] with plans to get the club to the Football League.[141] The group announced they would take part in a special friendly, with Salford facing a Class of '92 team.[142][143][144] On 22 September, the group agreed to sell a 50% stake in the club to billionaire Peter Lim.[145][146]

Having previously informally helped out Nicky Butt with the Manchester United under-19 team during the first half of the 2013–14 season, Scholes agreed to join the United first-team coaching staff on a temporary basis after the sacking of David Moyes until the end of the season as a favour to friend and former teammate Ryan Giggs,[147] following the latter's appointment as interim player-manager on 23 April 2014.

In January 2015, Scholes and Phil Neville were caretaker managers of Salford for a 2–1 win over Kendal Town, between the dismissal of Phil Power and appointment of Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.[148]

On 19 November 2017, Scholes and his old teammate, Ryan Giggs, were invited to join in training works for PVF Football Academy in Vietnam. With Ryan Giggs, who was chosen to be a development director, Scholes worked as a technical advisor.

On 11 February 2019, Scholes was appointed as manager of League Two side Oldham Athletic,[149] having been cleared to take the position by the English Football League in light of his ownership of Salford City.[150] On 14 March, Scholes resigned as manager, having won once in his seven games,[151] following interference from club owner Abdallah Lemsagam in first team affairs.[152]

On 12 October 2020, Scholes was appointed interim head coach of Salford City, following the departure of Graham Alexander.[153] Scholes' first game in charge was a 1–0 defeat to Port Vale on 17 October,[154] and he quickly ruled out taking the position on a permanent basis, citing the need for a more experienced manager.[155] His first win came three days later with a 3–0 win against struggling Southend United.[156] Scholes left the role on 4 November 2020, following the permanent appointment of Richie Wellens to the post.[157]

Outside football

Media career

In July 2014, Scholes became a pundit after signing a four-year deal with BT Sport.[158] He would also be featuring on ITV's coverage of Champions League and England internationals.[159][160] Scholes previously made an appearance for Sky Sports as a pundit during the 2013–14 season.[161] In August, he agreed to become a columnist for The Independent.[162] Scholes has been praised for his passionate and no nonsense style of punditry.[163]

Endorsements

Scholes featured in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was on the cover for the international edition of FIFA 2001,[164] and was named in the Ultimate Team Legends for FIFA 17.[165]

Scholes has endorsed sportswear company Nike and appeared in Nike commercials. In a global Nike advertising campaign in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, he starred in a "Secret Tournament" commercial (branded "Scorpion KO") directed by Terry Gilliam, appearing alongside football players such as Thierry Henry, Ronaldo, Edgar Davids, Fabio Cannavaro, Francesco Totti, Ronaldinho, Luís Figo and Hidetoshi Nakata, with former player Eric Cantona the tournament "referee".[166][167]

University Academy 92

Along with other United players who won the 1992 FA Youth Cup, Scholes has proposed a university in Greater Manchester, named University Academy 92 which would offer "broader courses than traditional degrees" and attract students who "otherwise might not go on to higher education".[168]

Personal life
Scholes in 2008

Scholes is asthmatic,[169] and suffered from Osgood–Schlatter disease (a knee condition that affects young athletes).[170] He married his childhood sweetheart, Claire (née Froggatt),[171] in Wrexham, Wales, in February 1999.[172] They live in the village of Grasscroft in Greater Manchester,[173] and have a daughter and two sons, the younger of whom has autism.[174] He is of Irish and Northern Irish descent.[175]

His off-field personality is said by some to be in stark contrast to the attitude of the stereotypical professional footballer.[176][177] Roy Keane once highlighted that Scholes did not like the "celebrity bullshit" side of professional sports.[178] With regard to his shunning of celebrity, and instead keeping to his intention to solely focus on doing his job ("a professional footballer"), Keane applauded Scholes after his retirement.[178]

Scholes is known to enjoy betting on football. In June 2019, he was fined and warned over his future conduct by The Football Association (FA) after placing bets worth £26,159 on matches during his time as a director of Salford City. At a tribunal, he was found to have placed 140 bets over three-and-a-half years, in contravention of the FA's gambling rules. The FA fined Scholes £8,000 and asked him to contribute to the costs of the tribunal.[179]

In an interview given before Euro 2004, Scholes described his ideal day as "train in the morning, pick up my children from school, play with them, have tea, put them to bed and then watch a bit of TV".[180]

Career statistics

Club
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[nb 1] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United[181] 1993–94[182] Premier League 000000000000
1994–95[183] Premier League 17530322000257
1995–96[184] Premier League 2610211221–3114
1996–97[185] Premier League 24322214010336
1997–98[186] Premier League 318201072104210
1998–99[187] Premier League 3166110124105111
1999–2000[188] Premier League 319–00113304512
2000–01[189] Premier League 3260000126104512
2001–02[190] Premier League 358200013110519
2002–03[191] Premier League 33143163102–5220
2003–04[192] Premier League 289640051104014
2004–05[193] Premier League 339632070104912
2005–06[194] Premier League 202000071–273
2006–07[195] Premier League 3064000111–457
2007–08[196] Premier League 24130007100342
2008–09[197] Premier League 21221306030353
2009–10[198] Premier League 28300217310387
2010–11[199] Premier League 22130007010331
2011–12[200] Premier League 17420002000214
2012–13[201] Premier League 161300020–211
Career total 499107491321913426150718155

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[202][203]

National team YearAppsGoals
England 199753
199891
199965
2000101
2001103
2002110
200380
200471
Total6614

England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Scholes goal[202]

List of international goals scored by Paul Scholes
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
14 June 1997Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France Italy2–02–01997 Tournoi de France
210 September 1997Wembley Stadium, London, England Moldova1–04–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification
315 November 1997Wembley Stadium, London, England Cameroon1–02–0Friendly
415 June 1998Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France Tunisia2–02–01998 FIFA World Cup
527 March 1999Wembley Stadium, London, England Poland1–03–1UEFA Euro 2000 qualification
62–0
73–1
813 November 1999Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland Scotland1–02–0UEFA Euro 2000 qualification
92–0
1012 June 2000Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands Portugal1–02–3UEFA Euro 2000
1128 March 2001Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana, Albania Albania2–03–12002 FIFA World Cup qualification
1225 May 2001Pride Park Stadium, Derby, England Mexico1–04–0Friendly
136 June 2001Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece Greece1–02–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
1421 June 2004Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal Croatia1–14–2UEFA Euro 2004

Managerial statistics
As of 4 November 2020
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref.
G W D L Win %
Salford City (caretaker) 3 January 2015 1 1 0 0 100.00 [204]
Oldham Athletic 11 February 2019 14 March 2019 7 1 3 3 014.29 [205]
Salford City (caretaker) 12 October 2020 4 November 2020 5 2 1 2 040.00 [205]
Career total 13 4 4 5 030.77

Honours

Manchester United

England U18

Individual

See also

Notes
  1. Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

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