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Revision as of 23:26, 8 August 2010 edit70.27.34.93 (talk) Added a testimonial section and included quotes from others about scholes.← Previous edit Revision as of 23:29, 8 August 2010 edit undoParalympiakos (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers15,646 edits Undid revision 377898090 by 70.27.34.93 (talk) copyeditNext edit →
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In July 2006, following Eriksson's departure, there was talk of Scholes making himself available for international duty again under new manager ], but nothing ever came of it.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bernstein, Joe |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-397140/Scholess-England-U-turn.html |title=Scholes's England U-turn |publisher=] |work=] |date=23 July 2006 |accessdate=19 February 2009}}</ref> In May 2010, McClaren's successor ] approached Scholes about a return to international football in the run-up to the ], but the player rejected the offer saying he'd prefer to spend time with his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8673706.stm |title=Fabio Capello makes surprise England World Cup choices |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |work=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2010 |accessdate=11 May 2010}}</ref> On 7 June 2010, Scholes revealed had Capello given him more time and had asked earlier then he would have probably taken the opportunity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8726935.stm |title=World Cup 2010: Timing wrong for Scholes England return |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |work=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2010 |accessdate=7 June 2010}}</ref> On 27 July 2010, Scholes then revealed at his dissapointment in not taking the opportunity to play at another World Cup, saying he may have made a mistake.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8858276.stm |title=Paul Scholes hints at England World Cup regret |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |work=BBC Sport |date=27 July 2010 |accessdate=27 July 2010}}</ref> In July 2006, following Eriksson's departure, there was talk of Scholes making himself available for international duty again under new manager ], but nothing ever came of it.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bernstein, Joe |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-397140/Scholess-England-U-turn.html |title=Scholes's England U-turn |publisher=] |work=] |date=23 July 2006 |accessdate=19 February 2009}}</ref> In May 2010, McClaren's successor ] approached Scholes about a return to international football in the run-up to the ], but the player rejected the offer saying he'd prefer to spend time with his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8673706.stm |title=Fabio Capello makes surprise England World Cup choices |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |work=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2010 |accessdate=11 May 2010}}</ref> On 7 June 2010, Scholes revealed had Capello given him more time and had asked earlier then he would have probably taken the opportunity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8726935.stm |title=World Cup 2010: Timing wrong for Scholes England return |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |work=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2010 |accessdate=7 June 2010}}</ref> On 27 July 2010, Scholes then revealed at his dissapointment in not taking the opportunity to play at another World Cup, saying he may have made a mistake.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8858276.stm |title=Paul Scholes hints at England World Cup regret |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |work=BBC Sport |date=27 July 2010 |accessdate=27 July 2010}}</ref>


== Testimonials ==

Over Scholes's long career many of teammates and his adversires have testified to the fact that although scholes may not win the player of the year trophy he is still one of the best players in the world.

These include the likes of Macro Lippi, Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry.

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...Schol<ref>
</ref>es 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."

Edgar Davids : "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."

Thierry Henry : "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'."

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

Zinedine Zidane : "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."

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. Scholes is a player I have always liked, because he 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. In my opinion, he's been one of the most important players for United under Sir Alex."

Ray Wilkins : "I'm saddened because I think we as spectators, not only in this country but right through out 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."

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."

Peter Schmeichel : "Still the best player in that United midfield."

Laurent Blanc : "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!"

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

Michael Carrick : "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."

Rio Ferdinand : "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."

Gary Neville : "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."

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

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"

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

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

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."

Sir Alex Ferguson : "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 : 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.
<ref> http://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Paul-Scholes-Quotes-from-current-and-former-players</ref>
===International goals=== ===International goals===
:''Scores and results list England's goal tally first.'' :''Scores and results list England's goal tally first.''

Revision as of 23:29, 8 August 2010

Paul Scholes
Personal information
Full name Paul Scholes
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team Manchester United
Number 18
Youth career
1991–1994 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994– Manchester United 444 (101)
International career
1997–2004 England 66 (14)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:06, 09 May 2010 (UTC)

Paul Scholes (Template:Pron-en; born 16 November 1974) is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United as a midfielder. He is a one club man, having spent his entire professional career with the 'Red Devils'.

Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being spotted by a scout at his school. He made his debut for United in the 1994–95 season and made 17 league appearances. He went on to play a key part in Manchester United's Treble-winning season. Scholes has since gone on to make over 600 appearances for United.

Scholes represented the England national team from 1997 to 2004, participating in the 1998 and 2002 World Cup, as well as UEFA Euro 2000 and UEFA Euro 2004. He is one of only four players to make over 600 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United. Scholes has amassed over 100 bookings in all competitions during his career and has been sent off seven times. Scholes has been referred to by Zinedine Zidane as the "greatest midfielder of his generation".

In June 2010 Scholes announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2010–11 season. However, a month later, Scholes announced he may continue beyond the season if he has a good campaign and is "doing the job the manager wants".

Early years

Scholes was born at Hope Hospital in Salford, Greater Manchester, to parents Stewart and Marina Scholes. The family moved to Langley area of Middleton, Greater Manchester when he was 18 months old where he lived on Bowness Road, and later Talkin Drive. He attended the St Mary's RC Primary School in Langley. The first team he played for was Langley Furrows despite being an Oldham Athletic supporter. Scholes also excelled at cricket. At age 14, he began training with Manchester United. He then later joined as a trainee upon leaving the Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School in Middleton during the summer of 1991. In his final term at school, he was selected to represent Great Britain National Schools in football.

Club career

Scholes was not a member of Manchester United's 1992 FA Youth Cup-winning squad that included future senior teammates David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, but he was part of the youth team that reached the final in the following season, alongside Phil Neville. 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 twice in a 2–1 victory over Port Vale in the Football League Cup. Scholes came on as a substitute in the 1995 FA Cup final against Everton, which United lost 1–0.

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.

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.

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 Internazionale in the Champions League quarter-final, but was ruled out of the final victory over Bayern Munich through suspension.

Scholes netted a career-high twenty goals in all competitions in the 2002–03 season, a number that dipped to fourteen the next year, despite a career-best four FA Cup goals in comparison to his total of five in his first nine seasons. He helped Manchester United reach the 2005 FA Cup Final but saw his penalty saved by Jens Lehmann as they lost to Arsenal in a penalty shootout. He was ruled out for the second half of the 2005–06 campaign with blurred vision. The cause of this was initially uncertain, sparking fears that it could end his career. He overcame this problem through the beginning of the year and he appeared in Manchester United's final game of the season against Charlton Athletic. Reportedly, Scholes' vision has not completely recovered.

On 22 October 2006, in the 2–0 Premier League victory over Liverpool in which Scholes also scored, twelve years after marking his Red Devils debut with a League Cup brace against Port Vale, Scholes became the ninth United player to play in five hundred matches, joining Sir Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Denis Irwin, and current teammates Giggs and Gary Neville.

Scholes was dismissed during Manchester United's 1–0 away victory over Liverpool F.C. on 3 March 2007, for swinging an arm at Xabi Alonso. It marked his first league expulsion since April 2005. A month later, he was sent off in the first leg of Manchester United's Champions League quarter final at A.S. Roma.

On 23 August 2007, he was shortlisted for a spot in the English Football Hall of Fame, which ultimately went to Dennis Bergkamp as voted for by Football Focus viewers.

Scholes suffered knee ligament damage during a training session the night before Manchester United's Champions League Group F matchup with Dynamo Kiev on 23 October 2007, and was out of action until the end of January 2008. He returned as a substitute in Manchester United's 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup. On 23 April 2008, Scholes made his hundredth Champions League appearance in a semi-final 0–0 draw at FC Barcelona, and scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory in the second leg that sent United into the final. During the final he suffered an injury and a yellow card after a clash with Claude Makélélé, he returned until he was substituted by Giggs in the 87th minute and did not take part in the penalty shoot-out that was won 6–5 by United after a 1–1 extra-time draw.

Scholes was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in September 2008. In a December 2008 interview with The Daily Mirror, he said he planned to retire from football completely in two years. "I think I've got two years left at the most I'm looking forward to finishing and everything that goes with it."

On 24 January 2009, Scholes scored his first goal of the season against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. His shot from outside the box in the 34th minute deflected in off Tom Huddlestone to bring the game to 1–1, while United would go on to win 2–1. On 18 February, Scholes scored his first Premier League goal in over a year in a 3–0 win over Fulham, a swerving volley that hit Mark Schwarzer and rebounded in. On 22 April, he made his 600th appearance for Manchester United in a 2–0 win over Portsmouth.

On 15 September 2009, Scholes scored his first Champions League goal since netting the winner against Barcelona in the semi-final a year and a half ago. He netted the solitary goal in the 77th minute away to Beşiktaş, giving Manchester United a winning start to their 2009–10 European campaign. On 3 November 2009, Scholes hit his second goal of the campaign, again coming in the Champions League. This time he scored the second United goal in the 3–3 draw with CSKA Moscow, which was another headed goal. On 5 December 2009, Scholes scored his first league goal of the season and his 99th Premier League goal overall, hitting the first in a 4–0 away win at West Ham.

On 27 January 2010, Scholes hit his first goal of the new year and his first in the League Cup for seven years in a 3–1 win in the Manchester derby. He hit the opener in United's semi-final second leg against Manchester City, eventually winning the game 4–3 on aggregate. On 16 February 2010, Scholes hit his third Champions League goal of the season against Milan in a 3–2 win; it was also United's first ever away goal against Milan. This gave United their first ever away win over Milan and also made Scholes the first ever player to score against both Internazionale and Milan at the San Siro in the Champions League. On March 6, 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 this season, netting the only goal in a 1–0 win over Wolves at Molineux. 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. On 17 April 2010, Scholes scored a last minute winner against rivals Man City, giving United a 1–0 win and the perfect way to celebrate signing a new contract just the day before. This also gave him his second derby goal in the last two games against their great city rivals.

At the age of 35 many thought that he would not be a first-choice player and that he would not be able to perform in the big games. However in the first competitive fixture of the 2010-2011 campaign (Community Shield) he was an instrumental part of United's team and was awarded man of the match in United's 3-1 victory over Chelsea.

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. Picking up a pass from Paul Ince just outside the Tunisian area, Scholes pushed the ball slightly to his right and hit a shot with his right foot which curled into the top right-hand corner of Tunisian keeper Chokri El Ouaer's net.

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 now-demolished Wembley Stadium.

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. However, after the tournament, Scholes saw his opportunities in the national team decline due to Sven-Göran Eriksson playing him out of position on the left midfield to accommodate the pairing of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield. 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.

In July 2006, following Eriksson's departure, there was talk of Scholes making himself available for international duty again under new manager Steve McClaren, but nothing ever came of it. In May 2010, McClaren's successor Fabio Capello approached Scholes about a return to international football in the run-up to the World Cup in 2010, but the player rejected the offer saying he'd prefer to spend time with his family. On 7 June 2010, Scholes revealed had Capello given him more time and had asked earlier then he would have probably taken the opportunity. On 27 July 2010, Scholes then revealed at his dissapointment in not taking the opportunity to play at another World Cup, saying he may have made a mistake.

International goals

Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored
1 4 June 1997 Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes  Italy 2–0 Tournoi de France 1997 1
2 10 September 1997 Wembley, London  Moldova 4–0 1998 FIFA World Cup Qual. 1
3 15 November 1997 Wembley, London  Cameroon 2–0 Friendly 1
4 15 June 1998 Stade Vélodrome, Marseille  Tunisia 2–0 1998 FIFA World Cup 1
5 27 March 1999 Wembley, London  Poland 3–1 UEFA Euro 2000 Qual. 3
8 13 November 1999 Hampden Park, Glasgow  Scotland 2–0 UEFA Euro 2000 Qual. 2
10 12 June 2000 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven  Portugal 2–3 UEFA Euro 2000 1
11 28 March 2001 Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana  Albania 3–1 2002 FIFA World Cup Qual. 1
12 25 May 2001 Pride Park, Derby  Mexico 4–0 Friendly 1
13 6 June 2001 Olympic Stadium, Athens  Greece 2–0 2002 FIFA World Cup Qual. 1
14 21 June 2004 Estádio da Luz, Lisbon  Croatia 4–2 UEFA Euro 2004 1

Career statistics

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 1994–95 17 5 3 0 3 2 2 0 0 0 25 7
1995–96 26 10 2 1 1 2 2 1 0 0 31 14
1996–97 24 3 2 2 2 1 4 0 1 0 33 6
1997–98 31 8 2 0 1 0 7 2 1 0 42 10
1998–99 31 6 6 1 1 0 12 4 1 0 51 11
1999–00 31 9 – 0 0 11 3 3 0 45 12
2000–01 32 6 0 0 0 0 12 6 1 0 45 12
2001–02 35 8 2 0 0 0 13 1 1 0 51 9
2002–03 33 14 3 1 6 3 10 2 0 0 52 20
2003–04 28 9 6 4 0 0 5 1 1 0 40 14
2004–05 33 9 6 3 2 0 7 0 1 0 49 12
2005–06 20 2 0 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 27 3
2006–07 30 6 4 0 0 0 11 1 0 0 45 7
2007–08 24 1 3 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 34 2
2008–09 21 2 2 1 3 0 6 0 3 0 35 3
2009–10 28 3 0 0 2 1 7 3 1 0 38 7
2010–11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Total 444 101 41 13 21 9 123 26 15 0 644 149

Statistics accurate as of match played 8 August 2010

Honours

Club

Manchester United

International

England U18

Individual

Bookings

Over his career, Scholes has received over 79 yellows and 4 reds in the Premier League and 25 yellows and 2 second yellows in the Champions League, more than any other player in the competition.

Style of play

This section contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. Such statements should be clarified or removed. (March 2010)

Scholes has been described by some as unique to British football—combining technical abilities with a tenacity, and passion for the game. In his prime Scholes was renowned for his ability to score in and outside the 18-yard box. He has been hailed as one of the great midfielders of his time for his passing range, technique, vision, creativity and goalscoring prowess. Zinedine Zidane once commented "My toughest opponent? Scholes. He is undoubtedly the greatest player of his generation", whereas 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 Paul Scholes Manchester United and England hero Bobby Charlton lauded him, "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."

Personal life

Scholes is an asthmatic. He married his childhood sweetheart, Claire (née Froggatt), in Wrexham in February 1993, and they have three children, Arron, Alicia and Aiden. The family live in Saddleworth.

Scholes' personality off the field has been described as "shy" and "unassuming" and his lifestyle is often seen to be in stark contrast to the lifestyles of other professional footballers. Scholes, who rarely gives interviews, once described his ideal day as "Train in the morning, pick up the kids from school, play with them, have tea, get them to bed and then watch a bit of TV."

References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 548. ISBN 1852916656.
  2. ^ http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~5894,00.html
  3. ^ http://www.statbunker.com/football/ktg/index.php?PL=ktgalltime&Code=UCL&statType=bookings
  4. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/741321/EVEN-more-than-Glenn-Hoddle-Paul-Scholes-is-the-best-player-England-never-really-had.html
  5. "Paul Scholes to retire at the end of the season". The Guardian. The Guardian. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  6. "Paul Scholes hints at extending Man Utd playing career". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Company. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  7. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2007/04/02/020407_langley_scholes_feature.shtml
  8. ^ Jackson, Jamie (18 May 2008). "Simply the best". The Observer. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  9. Oliver, Pete (12 June 2003). "Old Trafford band of brothers prepare for split". The Scotsman. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  10. Maxwell, Ian (17 December 2008). "Spccoer Milestones". Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  11. "Club Trophy Room". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  12. Hodges, Vicki (21 May 2008). "Champions League final: Paul Scholes deserves European Cup success, says David Beckham". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 November 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. Bartram, Steve (1 November 2006). "Scholes still troubled by vision problems". Manchester United. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  14. "Man Utd 2–0 Liverpool". Manchester United. 22 October 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2006. {{cite news}}: Text "Scholes 500th appearance" ignored (help)
  15. O'Shea stuns Anfield. ESPNsoccernet (3 March 2007). Retrieved on 19 December 2008.
  16. "Hall of Fame". BBC Sport. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
  17. McNulty, Phil (18 September 2008). "Man Utd 1–0 Barcelona (agg 1–0)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
  18. McNulty, Phil (18 September 2008). "Man Utd earn dramatic Euro glory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  19. Galvin, Robert (18 September 2008). "Paul Scholes Hall of Fame Profile". Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  20. Austin, Simon (20 May 2008). "Why Scholes is Man Utd's talisman". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
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  22. Hughes, Ian (24 January 2009). "Man Utd 2–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  23. Sanghera, Mandeep (18 February 2009). "Man Utd 3–0 Fulham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  24. McNulty, Phil (22 April 2009). "Man Utd 2–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 April 2009.
  25. Sanghera, Mandeep (15 September 2009). "Besiktas 0–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
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  28. McNulty, Phil (27 January 2010). "Man Utd 3–1 Man City". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
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  32. McNulty, Phil (17 April 2010). "Man City 0–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  33. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_6301040,00.html
  34. "Retirement of Scholes adds to England woe". Times Online. 4 August 2004. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
  35. Dickinson, Matt (3 August 2004). "Scholes quits England". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
  36. Bernstein, Joe (23 July 2006). "Scholes's England U-turn". Daily Mail. Mail Online. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
  37. "Fabio Capello makes surprise England World Cup choices". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
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  39. "Paul Scholes hints at England World Cup regret". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  40. Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
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  43. "Football Hall of Fame: Paul Scholes". National Football Museum. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  44. "Why Scholes is United's talisman". BBC Sport. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  45. "Athletes with asthma". BBC Sport. 21 October 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
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  47. "Search 1984 to 2006 – Birth, Marriage and Death indexes". Findmypast.com. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  48. Rich, Tim (24 July 2008). Manchester United fans have two years to savour Paul Scholes. The Independent. Retrieved on 25 March 2009.
  49. Northcroft, Jonathon (26 September 2004). New goals for Scholes. The Sunday Times. Retrieved on 25 March 2009.
  50. Boshoff, Alison (21 May 2008). "The War of the WAGSKIS: The real battle for Moscow". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 19 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  51. ^ Tongue, Steve (23 March 2008). "Paul Scholes: 'I know there isn't much time left so I have to enjoy it'". The Independent. Retrieved 13 October 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

External links

Awards
2000–01 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year
2002–03 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year
2006–07 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year
England squads
England squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup
England
England squad – UEFA Euro 2000
England
England squad – 2002 FIFA World Cup
England
England squad – UEFA Euro 2004
England
Manchester United F.C. – current squad

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