Wednesday, 1 June 2011

The good, the bad and the ugly of Paul Scholes



In an incredible career for club (150 goals in 676 games for Manchester United) and country (14 goals in 66 England games), Paul Scholes has seen it all and done it all.

Show us your medals
10 Premier Leagues (1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11)
2 Champions Leagues (1999, 2008)
3 FA Cups (1996, 1999, 2004)
2 League Cups (2009, 2010)
1 Fifa Club World Cup (2008)
1 Intercontinental Cup (1999)

Career highlights
1. England 3-1 Poland, Euro 2000 qualifier at Wembley (March 1999): Hat-trick in Kevin Keegan's first game.
2. Man Utd 1-0 Barcelona, Champions League semi-final, second-leg (April 2008): Scholes smashes a vicious long-range shot from 25 yards into the top corner. United go on to beat Chelsea in the final.
3. Bradford 0-4 Man Utd, Premier League (March 2000): Scores one of the great Premier League goals. He connects with an unforgettable right-footed volley from edge of area.

What the world's best say

Thierry Henry "He knows how to do everything. The best I have seen in the Premiership in the middle of the park."

Zinedine Zidane "Scholes is the greatest midfielder of his generation."

Glenn Hoddle "There isn't a player of his mould anywhere else in the world."

Wayne Rooney "He's the best I've played with and against."

Cesc Fabregas "He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League."

Xavi "Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more."

Sir Alex Ferguson "We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player."

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

Seeing red
Paul Scholes was sent off 10 times during his career, with nine red cards for Manchester United and one for England. His three most notorious dismissals:
Everton 1-0 Man Utd, Premier League (April 2005): Sent off after receiving a second yellow for a reckless kick on Kevin Kilbane.
Man City 1-0 Man Utd, FA Cup semi-final (April 2011): Terrible wild and high challenge on Pablo Zabaleta.
Man Utd 1-2 Zenit St Petersburg, European Super Cup (August 2008): Emulated Maradona when he punched Wes Brown's cross into the top corner as United chased an equaliser.
And one that got away:
Barcelona 2-0 Man Utd, Champions League final (May 2009): Scholes chops down Sergio Busquets. Somehow he only receives a yellow.

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