Bringing a close to his glittering twenty year Manchester United playing career at the end of the 2010/2011 season; whilst accumulating a total of twenty four club honours, Paul Scholes is now a name nestled within the club's all time greatest players. His uncanny ability to disperse the most perfectly weighted and inch perfect 60 yard pass to one of his flying wingers, or to simply dismantle an entire defense by his cinch short passes; coupled with his intelligent off the ball movement, supreme touch and lethal shots, it is quite easy to understand why many regarded him as the best midfielder of his generation - including myself.
On September 21, 1994, Paul Scholes made his senior debut for Manchester United in the League Cup against Port Vale, scoring both goals in a 2-1 victory. He would be handed further opportunity that season by the omnipresent and all wise Sir Alex Ferguson, as he saw the quality that brewed within the ginger hermit. Rightfully so, Scholes continued to play for another 17 years at the highest level in the United shirt, amassing a total of 676 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils, splitting defenses, dictating the pace of nearly every game he was present in and scoring some vital goals along the way. No wonder he is a footballing legend.
It is not often in this modern generation of football that one player stays true to one club, but Scholes was a Manc, and always will be a Manc. He will stay in the hearts of many football fans across the globe, not only those situated at the club, and this is because of his simple style of play. I have never seen a player that made the game look so easy in even the most difficult of conditions. Scholes would take no more than three touches on the ball, but always seemed to have the ball at his feet. It was simple logic for him, pass, move and receive - and this rhythm was repeated throughout the game, while creating some enticing attacking plays and distributing the ball like no one else on the field.
He was probably one of the most under-rated players in the history of the game, due to his austere lifestyle and timid personality; Scholes was never one to seek attention. He simply did his job to perfection and was content with just that, shunning interviews and praise from pundits. This is probably why many would over look his name when it comes to listing the all time midfield greats. But he was the best! Hailed from across the globe, many footballers within his generation, including Zinedine Zidane and Edgar Davids; before his generation, Sir Bobby Charlton and Arsene Wenger; and after his generation, Xavi and Fabregas all agree.
Trying to write an article on Scholes was exciting, but then I realised how much there was to say, and how little I would be able to. What better way than to allow the stars of football do the talking?
Here are 18 quotes that summarise and defines his legacy better than any article really could:
1. Alonso
“Fans in Spain rate him very highly and I admire him a huge amount. To me Paul is a role model. He is the best midfielder I’ve seen in the last 15 or 20 years.”
2. Berbatov
“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. Every manager would like him. But luckily he is here and playing with us. Paul practices that all the time. When he has finished training he always goes out and shoots.”3. Best
“The boy can play”
4. Davids
“Every one of us is just trying to become as good as him. Everyone can learn from Paul Scholes”
5. Henry
“Every time we used to play against Manchester United, we always used to be scared of Paul Scholes. His vision, the way he sees the game, his goal ratio... he has indestructible mental strength and he is a genuine competitor.”
6. Fabregas
“He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League.”
7. Ferguson
“He’s one of the great players to come through the ranks here.”
8. Figo
“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.”
9. Guardiola
“He is the best midfielder of his generation. I would have loved to have played alongside him.”
10. Lippi
“Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team.”
11. Maradonna
“His technique is unique.”
12. Messi
“At La Masia, his name was mentioned a lot. He’s a teacher.”
13. Mourinho
“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.”
14. Pele
“If he was playing with me, I would score so many more.”
15. Pique
“One of the best players I’ve ever seen in my life! Spectacular on training!! Playing with him was a joy!”16. Viera
“The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy – Scholes”
17. Xavi
“In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.”
18. Zidane
“My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get."
