A select group of men have blazed a trail through history to become Manchester United icons. Here, we give a 40th-birthday salute to the understated brilliance of Paul Scholes... What set him apart? Quiet, unassuming and seemingly allergic to the public eye, Paul Scholes was an old-school figure in a football world which increasingly came under the media spotlight. In short, the Class of 92 graduate wasnt interested in the circus on footballs periphery, just the theatre he regularly contributed to creating on the biggest stage - and few entertained quite like this Salford-born midfielder during an illustrious career. With great style and verve, Scholesy exported his subtle brand of intelligent football to the masses and laid the blueprint for diminutive ball-players to follow. Even the great Zinedine Zidane said there is no doubt that Paul Scholes is in a class of his own - and when Zizou speaks, you listen. Crowning glory You could argue that his greatest feat was playing at the highest level, for just one club, throughout his entire 19-season career. However, speaking during a recent documentary, Paul cited his 1999 FA Cup final goal against Newcastle as his finest hour, an effort that secured part two of Uniteds historic Treble. The wonder-strike against Barcelona in 2008 wasnt bad, either. He said I am not a man of many words, but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour. – Upon retiring (the first time around) in 2011. They said Football is a difficult game, but Paul Scholes made it look easy. I approached him after the final whistle on the pitch at Wembley [in 2009]. I thought it might be his last game and hoped to swap shirts, to shake his hand, to say thank you and good luck in English. He said the same to me. In English! We swapped shirts and I took mine home to Spain and put it on display in my house. I explained to my partner about Scholes and how good hes been. Ive always wanted to play like Paul Scholes. - Andres Iniesta We say I think Paul Scholes is the best player in England. Hes got the best skills, the best brain. No one can match him. There isnt a player of his mould anywhere in the world. Paul is irreplaceable. - Sir Alex Ferguson Hit me with the facts Scholes is third on the all-time list of appearance makers having played 718 matches for United, not to mention the 155 goals he scored, many of them absolute humdingers. Notably, he lifted 18 major honours during that time – a count that excludes the 1999 Champions League (he was suspended for the final, although he got a winners medal) and five FA Community Shields. Not bad for an asthma sufferer! Something I might not know As a youngster, Scholes played cricket for Middleton and Blackley. He also played one lacrosse match for a nearby club – but it wasnt a success: It was horrible and I didnt enjoy it one little bit. You think youve got a chance of having a shot and somebody is allowed to come in and belt you on your shoulders! Not for me! Enjoy. Hope United more Legends like Scholes in future. Hope United perform like Champions throughout the season. The new breed of players are now to build up a better side for United Future. Hope Manchester United wins more Titles next season. Believed Champ20ns, Glory Glory Man United.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 02:25:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015