“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.” Zinedine Zidane
Paul Scholes is a legendary figure at Manchester United. On the dinner of honors for United, Scholes would sit towards the top of the table. This is a given considering that the talented player spent his entire career playing at the Theatre of Dreams. Paul’s flair on the ball as well his aggression off it won him the hearts of every Red faithful and at the time of his retirement, the little asthmatic man had become one of the most decorated players of all time.
Paul’s career was all Manchester United. His love for the club is evident in the pride with which he wore the red badge for decades. Paul loves his family too, his wife and three kids probably hold a softer spot in his heart than United. But that’s about it – while he played, he was Red, in his veins, heart, and legs… his hair inclusive!
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Background (1974 – 1988)
The Red Faithful, Paul Scholes was born on 17 November 1974 at Hope Hospital in Salford, the town of Greater Manchester, England. For a player with such a successful haul of trophies, it is even more impressive to know that his immediate family was not in a way enthusiastic about football. His father, Stewart Scholes, and mother, Marina Scholes, were of Irish descent.
When Scholes was 1 and a half-year-old, his parents moved to Langley, Greater Manchester. Their new home was on Bowness Road and Talkin Drive. Here, Paul attended the St Mary’s RC Primary School, and this was where his love for football started kicking in.
Paul started kicking the ball from an early age, in fact, as far back as when he was just 4. His maternal uncle, Patrick, was a great influence on him and at times, they both used to play at Middleton, Greater Manchester at Patrick’s house. Uncle Patrick was a massive supporter of Manchester United, and with the closeness between Scholes and his uncle, the young lad was greatly taken by the team in red and white.
I never planned my football career; it just happened. Even as a lad barely out of short trousers, I was an associate schoolboy with Manchester United…” Paul Scholes
Paul has always been the quiet one. He was never the loud or outgoing type, and he preferred to do all his talking on the pitch. Paul spent most of his time with his family most of the time. At school, he was always quiet and only stood out with his red hair and football skills. However, the home was his forte with all members of his family firmly in support of his dream club. He grew up with his sister, Joanne Scholes.
It should be noted that although Scholes grew up in an era of Liverpool’s success, he was barely a person to feel the brunt of the club’s fans given that he barely spoke, much more argue at the top of his voice. He, however, had heroes, certain players that had a huge impact on him and his playing style. One of these players was George Best, a player many have termed as the best Manchester has ever had. George was the complete player: a crazy dribbler with an eye for great passes and legs for killer shots.
When Paul finished at the St Mary’s Primary School, he enrolled in Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School, Middleton. In this school, he represented Great Britain National Schools In Football.
Asthma
Scholes has always been asthmatic and had he not been determined enough; his football career would not have started to begin with. As a kid, he used to suffer extreme chest conditions, particularly in winter.
“It was just something I had to live with and take all the medication provided.
As long as I look after myself, it wasn’t a problem. The worst times were in winter when it was freezing, and I’d get a bit chesty.
One time I didn’t play for a few weeks because of a bad chest. I’d have a puffer before a game, and sometimes at half-time as well, but that was very rare.” Scholes, reflecting on his health condition in a rare interview with Four Four Two.
Osgood–Schlatter disease ( OSD)
Also known as apophysitis of the tibial tubercle, or Lannelongue’s disease, OSD is an inflammation of the patellar ligament at the tibial tuberosity. A painful bump mostly identifies it just below the knee. Young athletes often face it. This condition causes pain in the front lower part of the knee, usually at the ligament-bone junction of the patellar ligament and the tibial tuberosity. In sporting activities, the pain is intense, especially if running is involved.
Scholes suffered from OSD at the age of 7. However, he was determined enough to break free of the condition and go on to become one of the best players ever.
Cricket
Scholes was outstanding in cricket in his childhood. Considering that he grew up in an environment interested in the game as well as his grandfather’s Irish roots, it is easy to see how. However, despite his ability, Paul was not interested in making a career in any field apart from football, and although he never planned for it, it worked out after all.
Fergie’s Fledglings (1988 – 1991)
Scholes started training with United at 14, late if you consider that many of his mates started at 11 or 12. As stated earlier, the young faithful never planned to play football although he wasn’t interested in any other sport either.
From the beginning, many could see that Scholes was special. Coaches were quick to notice the talent of the little reddy while teammates would admire such ingenuity in him. Thanks to Paul (and other midfielders), Neville was moved into defense from his preferred midfield position.
The academy was where the famous Class of 92 of Gary Neville, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Scholes himself was formed. It was true that Scholesy arrived late, but he was even older than some of his mates, and what he lacked in height and size, he made up for inability. He got his nickname ‘Ginger Ninja’ here.
From a footballing point of view, the maturity years Paul spent at the academy was the most important in the course of his career. Admittedly, he had played a lot of football already but so had the others. The academy was where he learned to hone his skills properly. This period was when he understood what it meant to sacrifice it all for a dream because the coaches wouldn’t accept anything below the best. He rose above his difficulties to consistently excel over his mates, even those who had been in the system before him. In his time as a Fergie Fledgling, Scholesy understood what it truly meant to put on the Red badge. The impacts of Brian Kidd and Eric Harrison, the respective head and assistant coach of the academy should not go unnoticed at this point.
Good enough to play for Brazil. I love to watch Scholes, to see him pass, the boy with the red hair and the red shirt. Socrates (Brazil)
The Prime Age (1991 – 2011)
Scholes wasn’t a part of the 1992/93 squad that won the FA Youth Cup but was part of the team that reached the final in the following season. This omission was merely due to his late arrival into the team and not a question on his ability. A notable mention in the squad Scholes played with was Phil Neville.
On 23rd July 1993, Scholes signed an official contract with Manchester United. His shirt number then was 24, but first-team football was out of his reach as of then. In the 1994/95 season, however, he made 17 appearances for the first-team and scored 5 goals. His first match meanwhile was a league cup appearance against Port Vale on 21 September 1994: scoring 2 goals in a 2 – 1 win, a star had been born in English football.
In the league, he made his debut in a 3 – 2 loss to Ipswich Town at Portman Road scoring a consolation goal late into the match. On December 10th, Scholes played against Queens Park Rangers at Lotus Road and scored a brace out of United’s 3; QPR could only score 2. By this time, the whole league was starting to notice the talented midfield workhorse. His first goal at the Theater of Dreams came on 3 January 1994, scoring the opening goal in a 2 – 0 victory over Coventry City. He would score his last for the season on May 1st in a 3 – 2 away win over Coventry City. Scholes played as a substitute in the FA Cup final against Everton but could do nothing to change the 1 – 0 loss although he went extremely close to scoring twice only to be thwarted by the heroics of Neville Southall.
The 1995/96 season saw the departure of striker Mark Hughes to Chelsea and with that came an opportunity for Scholes to fill the goalscoring boots alongside Andrew Cole as Eric Cantona was on suspension for his infamous kick. However, Eric’s suspension lasted for only the first two months of the campaign, and his return subsequently pushed Paul down the pecking order. This season, Paul scored 14 goals in all competitions, helping the club to a historic feat of becoming the only team to win the domestic double twice.
The following season, 1996 – 1997, saw Scholesy win another Premier League title. These early years were only the beginning of an illustrious and enviable trophy collection to come over the Red years. This season also saw him switch his shirt number to 18, the legendary figure that he put on for the 15 years that followed.
Paul Scholes is a role model. For me – and I mean this – he’s the best central midfielder I’ve seen in the last 15, 20 years.
I’ve spoken to Xabi Alonso about him. 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. Xavi Hernandez
Towards the end of this season, Scholes was involved in a transfer fiasco. Manchester United made futile attempts to sign the then hot-red goalscorer, Alan Shearer, from Blackburn Rovers. As a response, the Edwood Park club requested for Paul if any offer from United was to be accepted. United was willing to consider, and Paul looked to be on his way out of the club until the prolific Alan decided to move to Newcastle instead of a baffling £15 million move. Many years later, Sir. Alex and every Red faithful would be glad that the move didn’t succeed. At this time, Scholesy was valued at £5 million.
In September 1997, Roy Keane suffered an injury and Paul was deployed into central midfield as a replacement. This season though, the club ended without securing any major trophy, a huge disappointment given that this was the only year it happened throughout the 90s. This letdown was amended the following season in the grandest of styles with the club going on to win the maiden treble in the entire history of football.
On 25 March 2000, Scholes netted one of the finest goals of his goal-laden career against Bradford City. David Beckham whipped a direct corner kick to Scholes who was positioned on the edge of the box; and wasting no time, he sent a thunderous volley towards goal and all Dwight Yorke could do was duck… for safety! The following week, he netted his maiden hat-trick in a 7 – 1 demolition of West Ham. The result put United 10 points clear at the summit of the table.
The following season, United completed the signing of Argentine Juan Sebastián Verón and Sir. Alex, in order to keep the new boy and Scholes in the team, used the attacking 4-4-1-1. In this formation, Scholes played in a withdrawn striker role behind Van Nistelrooy. This was because Verón and Keane were dominating the central midfield. However, in away fixtures in Europe, Scholes was deployed alongside Keane in midfield while Verón was paired van Nistelrooy up front. This was because the boss needed legs that could pull strings dictate the tempo and throw defence-splitting passes in the middle of the pitch.
I’d go for Scholesy as the club’s greatest ever player. 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.
We’ve seen over the years that players just haven’t been able to get near him. And you can’t forget his goals either. Ryan Giggs
In the 2002 – 03 season, Scholes scored 20 goals in all fixtures, his highest tally in a season throughout his career. Against Newcastle, he netted his second hat-trick in a 6 – 2 routing of Newcastle. In the next season, this tally dropped to 14, with 4 coming in the FA Cup and thereby setting a personal career-best. This was very impressive considering that he had scored just 5 goals in the FA Cup in all previous 9 seasons.
In the 2003/04 FA Cup semi-finals, Scholes scored the winning goal against Arsenal helping United to the final against Milwall, a match the club won 3 – 0. This was his last FA Cup trophy. Scholes also played in the 2005 final against familiar foes, Arsenal, but this time, United lost on penalties, he saw his penalty saved.
Blurred Vision Man
In 2006, Scholes suffered blurred visions with the cause of this uncertain. This led to fears over his ability to keep playing. However, with extensive treatment, Scholes was able to get going, and on the final day of the season, he appeared against Charlton Athletic.
On October 22nd, 2006, Scholes reached an appearance milestone by joining Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, and Ryan Giggs as the 9th player to play 500 matches for Manchester United. This season was deemed to be one of his greatest too, with the player appearing in the PFA Team of the Year as well as being shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year. In a 4 – 1 over Blackburn Rovers, he delivered an outstanding, unforgettable performance (reminding everyone of why the Edwood Park club had wanted him so bad). United were 1 – 0 down early into the match but he “got hold of the game by the scruff of the neck” by scoring the equalising goal and then going on to control the pace and order of the game.
On 3 March 2007, Scholes received his marching order for having been judged to have swung an arm at Xabi Alonso in a 1 – 0 win against the red Merseysiders. This was his first dismissal since April 2005. In the following month, he was sent off against Roma in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
In October 2007, Scholes suffered a knee ligament injury the night before a Champions League group stage match against Dynamo Kyiv. This damage kept him on the sidelines until January 2008. His return was as a substitute in a 3 – 1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup’s fourth round.
On April 23rd, he made his 100th appearance in the UEFA Champions League in a goalless draw with Barcelona and on his 101st appearance in the return draw, he scored the sole goal in a 1 – 0 victory. This set United up for a final with Chelsea. In the final, played in Moscow, he was substituted in the 87th minute having clashed with Claudio Makelele and suffered an injury. United won the match 6 – 5 in a penalty shootout having ended extra time 1 – 1. This was Scholes second Champions League trophy.
Scholes made his 600th appearance for United in a 2 – 0 win over Portsmouth on 22 April 2009. In the Champions League meanwhile, he scored his third goal of the season in a 3 – 2 win over AC Milan. This was the first away goal and win United had scored and recorded against the Italian club. On a personal note, Scholes became the first player to score against AC Milan and Inter Milan in the San Siro in the UEFA Champions League. This goal moved his total tally in the UEFA Champions League to 25, and he holds the record for the highest goals by a midfielder to date.
On March 6th, 2010, Scholes scored his 100th goal in the Premier League, becoming the 19th player to do so and the 3rd for United – just after Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs. This goal was the sole one in 1–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium.
On 16 April 2010, Scholes signed a new contract that was to keep him at the club until the end of the 2010/11 season. He showed no signs of decline at all, putting in excellent performances to win the Man of the Match awards against Chelsea in the Community Shield and Newcastle United in the first league game. On 22 August, he scored his 150th goal for the club in a 2 – 2 draw against Fulham FC. He won the Player of the Month for August too. In April 2011, Scholes received a red card for a reckless challenge on Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta, causing United to lose the FA Cup Semi-final fixture 1 – 0.
On 31 May 2011, Scholesy announced his retirement from football with immediate effect and joined the coaching staff at United. On August 5, a testimonial match was held in cognisance of his 17 years of selfless and dedicated service for the club.
Scholes received 4 red cards in the Premier League and 32 bookings in the Champions League, becoming the second most booked after Sergio Ramos.
Many great players have worn the shirt of Manchester United. Players I worshipped, then lost with my youth in Munich.
Players like Denis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Alex Ferguson era. And in so many ways, Scholes is my favourite. Sir Bobby Charlton
The Return (2012 – 2013)
In the 2012/2013 season, United was plunged into an injury crisis with many players sidelined for weeks. Scholesy sure had retired could the Red fanatic ever let Manchester United suffer a crisis?
He now wore 22 since Ashley Young was wearing 18. His first appearance as a substitute in a 3 – 2 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup. Against Bolton Wanderers, the next game, he made his first start, scoring in a 3 – 0 win. This goal meant that he had scored at least one goal in every season in the Premier League since the 1994/95 season.
His second goal came against Norwich City in February in a 2 – 1 win. On 8 April, he netted in a 2- 0 win over Queens Park Rangers, sending United to the tabletop with 8 points above nearest rival, Manchester City.
On 30 May, Scholes signed a one-year extension that kept him at the club until the summer of the season. On his 700th appearance, he scored in a 4 – 0 win over Wigan Athletic, a record that meant he had scored in consecutive 19 Premier League seasons, only bettered by Ryan Giggs at 21. His final game was against West Bromwich Albion as a substitute on 13 May 2013. He earned a yellow card in the match, placing him fifth on the list of most yellow cards collected in the Premier League at 97. At the end of the season, he retired permanently from football.
His last football appearance was in 2018 at the age of 43, playing for his son’s team, Royton Town, against Stockport Georgians.
When it’s over, I want to be able to look in the mirror and say, ‘Well, you were a half-decent player.’ Paul Scholes
The Treble
Arguably the greatest achievement of the Ferguson era, the 1998/99 season will forever be remembered in history. This was the season United reached the pinnacle of football – locally and internationally. The club won the domestic double (the Premier League and FA Cup) and after falling short in previous seasons, lifted the Champions League the just 5 days later. This was a feat unprecedented in the entire history of football. Never done before in England, Italy, Spain or France.
Paul played a major role in these victories, popping up with very important goals and assists for the entirety of the campaign. Paul, despite his excellent goalscoring record, has never been assessed for his goals. Instead, it is his exploits at the middle that are adored and, of course, he never disappointed this season. He scored a goal in United’s 2 – 0 victory over Newcastle in the FA Cup final. He also netted against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. He played in the semis too before earning a booking that kept him out of the final, but this does not take any credit away from him. In the league also, he was terrific, continually putting his best and more into games.
What Did Fellow Professionals Say About Paul Scholes?
Career With England National Team
To begin with, Scholes did not have an enjoyable time with the England national team. His international career kicked off in a friendly fixture against South Africa in 1997. The match was played at Old Trafford, and England won 2 – 1. The following year was the World cup, and he was included in the squad. However, England did not enjoy much success in the competition, losing on penalties to Argentina in the first knockout round. Paul scored a goal in the group stage match against Tunisia.
Paul recorded his first hat-trick for England against Poland on March 27th, 1999. In Euro 2000, he scored in 2 – 1 win over Scotland, and was dismissed in the match against Sweden, becoming the only player to get a red card in the Old Wembley stadium.
By this time, Scholes was a regular in the first team and was a starter in the 2002 World Cup campaign. In Euro 2004, however, he was deployed to the left side of the midfield to enable Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard pull the central strings. He played the last 5 matches of his international career in this position.
In August 2004, Scholesy retired from the national team, stating that he needed to focus on Manchester United as well as spend more time with his family.
Subsequent coaches made efforts to see Paul play for the country again, but he refused all advances, insisting on being with his family more. Recently though, he suggested that he regretted not playing in another world cup and that he might have made a mistake with his retirement.
Strike!
During the Euro 2004 campaign, Scholes was involved in a strike threat against the FA. The cause of this was the perceived unfair treatment of United teammate, Rio Ferdinand, over missing/forgetting a doping test. Gary Neville had been the focal point of the strike threat, demanding that Rio was added to the squad and that he was appropriately tried before any disciplinary action was taken. Scholes, alongside other players (mainly United’s), had backed the strike fully, declaring not to play in the campaign if their demands were not met.
The FA had refused to agree to the players’ demands, and it was all starting to look chaotic until Sir. Alex’s call to Neville. This strike threat may be more of Neville, but Scholesy also played a significant role in it.
Personal Life
But for all the benefits that professional football has brought me, none of them would mean a thing to me without my family, my wife Claire, my sons Arron and Aiden, and my daughter Alicia. We are happy where we live — on the edge of Saddleworth Moor to the northeast of Manchester.
I like to echo the words used by Sir Bobby Charlton in a recent television documentary about his remarkable life. He said, “I’ve been lucky, lucky lad.” That says it all for me, too.
My new generation of Red Devils are our three kids who keep Claire and me extremely busy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. I know I’m bound to say this about my children, but we think they’re brilliant and love them to bits. Paul Scholes in an exclusive serialization
In February 1999, Scholes got married to childhood sweetheart, Claire (née Froggatt) in Wrexham. They have three children, a daughter, and two sons. Alicia, the daughter, is very impressive at netball and horse-riding. Aaron, the eldest child, and elder son is great at cricket and is also a diehard Red fan. Aiden, the youngest child, is however autistic and consequently has certain learning disabilities. He is however good in water sports.
Scholes has immense love for his family, with a distinct portrayal of this in his decision to quit the national team to spend holidays with them.
Managerial Career
Manchester United
In the first half of the 2013/14 season, Scholes unofficially helped Nicky Butt manage the United U-19 side. After the sacking of David Moyes in 2014, he agreed to join the first-team coaching team until the end of the season. This was as a favor to a friend and former teammate, Ryan Giggs, who had just been appointed interim-manager.
Oldham Athletic
Scholes’s only career as a head coach was a brief stint with League Two side Oldham Athletic. Before he could be appointed, he was licensed by the English Football League.
His time with the club started on 11 February 2019 and finished with his resignation on 14 March 2019. This was due to the alleged interference of the club’s owner in decisions involving first-team selections.
Media Career
In 2013/14, Scholes appeared as a pundit for Sky Sports. However, he officially began his punditry career in July 2014. This was with BT Sports, and his contract was to run for 4 years. He also has a contract with ITV to feature on Champions League matches and England internationals. He has received commendations for his insightful and honest style of punditry.
At present, he has his column in The Independent.
Endorsements
Scholes was on the cover of FIFA 2001 international edition and as well appeared on EA Sports ‘ FIFA video game series. He is also featured on FIFA 2017 ultimate legends.
Scholes has appeared in Nike adverts as he is a brand ambassador. In a global Nike advertising campaign in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, he featured in a ‘Secret Tournament’ advert (branded “Scorpion KO”). The commercial was directed by Terry Gilliam and featured other players, such as Thierry Henry, Delima Ronaldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Francesco Totti, Ronaldinho, Luís Figo and Hidetoshi Nakata, Edgar Davids, with United legend Eric Cantona the tournament “referee.”
Scholes is a typically shy person and does not accord much value to public cognisance. This explains why a player of his caliber has few endorsement deals.
No celebrity bullshit, no self-promotion – an amazingly gifted player who remained an unaffected human being. Roy Keane
Establishments
Salford FC
In 2014, Scholes and fellow United legends, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, and Nicky Butt bought Salford FC before the commencement of the season. Currently, billionaire Paul Lim holds 50% shares in the club. Salford was promoted to the Football League in their first season. The club announced that it would be playing against the United class of 92 in what is assumed to be a charity match.
University Academy ’92
Scholes along with other players who won the 1992 FA Youth Cup has proposed the establishment of the University Academy 92 in Greater Manchester. The school is planned to offer broader curriculums in the hope that it attracts special students who “otherwise might not go on to higher education”.
One of the most magnificent football brains Manchester United has ever had. Sir. Alex Ferguson
Trophies, Awards, And Recognitions
Manchester United
- Premier League : 1995–96 , 1996–97 , 1998–99 , 1999–2000 , 2000–01 , 2002–03 , 2006–07 , 2007–08 , 2008–09 , 2010–11 , 2012–13.
- FA Cup: 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04.
- Football League Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10.
- FA Charity Shield/FA Community Shield: 1996, 1997, 2003, 2008, 2010.
- UEFA Champions League: 1998–99, 2007–08.
- Intercontinental Cup: 1999.
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008.
England U18
UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1993.
Individual
- Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 1992–93.
- Premier League Player of the Month: January 2003, December 2003.
- October 2006, August 2010 [141]: Premier League PFA Team of the Year: 2002–03, 2006–07.
- Premier League 10 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2001–02.
- Domestic & Overall Team of the Decade.
- English Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 2008.
- Premier League 20 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2011–12).
- Fantasy Teams of the 20 Seasons (Panel & Public choice).
- FWA Tribute Award: 2012.
- FIFPro World XI Nominee: 2005, 2007.