Opportunity Comes But Once.
Scholes depicts an all around footballer, today he is known as the greatsest EPL midfielder ever and greatest English midfielder but truly it is his eye for goal, passing range, control, shot power that made him a great asset even as a striker.In 1995–96, after Mark Hughes moved to Chelsea, Scholes had even more first-team opportunities. He stood in for the suspended Eric Cantona as Andrew Cole's strike partner for the first two months of the campaign. Scholes (now wearing the number 22 shirt) scored fourteen 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 (changing his shirt number once again, this time to number 18, which he has held ever since), but was restricted to three goals in sixteen league games. His penchant for scoring crucial goals and his footballing brain made him a fans favorite but truly the ginger maestro had it all. His versatility saw him move from supporting striker to midfield, Scholes moved to the midfielder and forward attack positions in the 1997–98 after Roy Keane suffered a knee injury in late September and did not play again that season. United finished the season without a major trophy, only the second time in the 1990s that this happened. But once again the red head had an awesome season where he gradually caught the eyes of the football world.
From then on Scholes was always the first name on his managers team sheet. His creativity and his ability to spurn a tackle when needed made the 5 ft 7 inch man a footballing icon.
Living Away From The Fame.
Scholes wasn't the most handsome footballers but his footballing ability could have easily made him the most idolized footballers in the late 90s and early 2000s but the shy midfielder granted only four interviews in his career which spanned 17 years. He once said "All I ever wanted to do was play football" such a humble footballer and one would wonder how such a spark in United's midfield could live away from the fame. One of my colleagues once described Scholesy as a no- glory man meaning he did all the work but needed little or no praise. he turned so mayny deals including Nike, Sharp e.t.c Scholes only featured in commercials for the club he needed no extra pay from endorsements and photo rights and this made him a favorite to the manager. To the shock of fans Scholes even took the limelight of himself in 2008 when he said that he had miscued the ball in the winner he scored against Barcelona! what a humble fella.
Paul Scholes? What did people know him for?
He was in the recently conducted Barclays Team Of The Decade featuring both in that of the players and managers but nobody could deny who Scholes was. His ability to ping a 60 yard pass or to shoot from 35 yards made him a wonder little wonder the following players and coaches had so much to say about him
Zinedine Zidane once commented "My toughest opponent? Scholes. He is undoubtedly the greatest player of his generation". Thierry Henry said, "Without any doubt the best player in the Premiership has to be Scholes... He knows how to do everything."When asked about Scholes, Bobby Charlton stated, "Paul is always so in control and pin-point accurate with his passing — a beautiful player to watch."[, whilst Marcello Lippi remarked that Scholes is "an all-round midfielder who possesses quality and character in abundance.BBC football pundit and former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen has described Scholes 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."
Manchester United team mate 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."
In February 2011, Barcelona midfielder Xavi, rated Scholes as the best player in his position in the past two decades. stating "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. If he'd been Spanish he might have been rated more highly. Players love him.
“What more can I say about Paul Scholes that I haven’t said before. We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player. Paul has always been fully committed to this Club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season. Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, Father of Manchester United, unearthed and managed Paul Scholes during his entire career.
“Paul Scholes went from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game”
Rio Ferdinand, team-mate of Paul Scholes since 2002.
“Paul Scholes retires. One of the best players I've seen in my life! Training was a sight! It was a pleasure playing with him!”
Gerard Pique, Three-times Champions League winning center-back. Played with Scholes for 4 years at Old Trafford.
“Just heard Paul Scholes has retired, best I've ever played against by a mile. Most technically gifted player in English history. Legend”
Joey Barton, hard-tackling English and Newcastle United midfielder
He'll be a big miss for us. He's the best I've played with and against." Wayne Rooney leads the tributes for his ex team-mate.
Words are not enough to describe Paul Scholes and I guarantee you that if you missed watching the "ginger maestro" then you did not watch a great patch of football
THE EXIT OF "Paul The Great."
He left football on a loss to Barcelona but the greater loss was to the world as the "Sat Nav"(Satellite Navigator) as his team mates call him played his last game for Manchester United on 28 th May 2011. He wrapped 676 appearances(1994-2011)for United and I guarantee you that 600 of those appearances went to show the world a footballing Einstein.
Jon Frank.
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