Scholes admits end of era at Man Utd with just Giggs left

Paul Scholes admits his retirement is the end of an era at Man Utd.

Scholes, who now joins United's coaching staff, has challenged the new generation to peg back Champions League conquerors Barcelona.

The 36-year-old said: "It's definitely ending. Phil Neville and Nicky Butt left a while ago while Gary is finishing this year.

"Becks went a while ago, so it's coming to an end. Nothing can go on for ever.

"But there's still Ryan and plenty of other homegrown players at the club."

Scholes added: "It's nice to go out having won a 19th title. I thought it would be nice to go out by winning the league or the Champions League.

"I managed to get one. But, against Barca, that makes you think, that's the level you need to get to.

"It will give the manager and players the determination to know that is the level you have to be at to be the best in Europe."

Scholes sets up Cantona v Fergie dream farewell game

 Legend Eric Cantona is returning to Old Trafford for Paul Scholes' farewell game.

Cantona's return has been confirmed as part of Scholes' testimonial game on August 5, when the Frenchman will coach the legendary New York Cosmos side, currently bidding to gain admittance to Major League Soccer.

"I wish to congratulate Paul for such an incredible career at Man Utd and I am looking forward to returning to Old Trafford in my new role with the New York Cosmos," said Cantona, who recently celebrated his 45th birthday.

Following David Beckham's return for Gary Neville's testimonial last month, it marks another significant day for United, and Scholes in particular.

"This is going to be a big night for me and my family but one which I intend to enjoy and I will savour every moment," said Scholes.

"I have spent my whole footballing life at Man Utd, so this will be an emotional farewell.

"This club is special in many ways but the fans are the best and I have always appreciated their support throughout my career.

"I hope they enjoy the night, especially seeing the Boss and Eric battling it out in front of the dug outs."

Paul Scholes retires and will take on Manchester United coaching role next season

 Paul Scholes has announced his retirement from playing but will remain at the club in a coaching capacity.

Scholes, who came through the United academy as part of the club's famous group of youngsters in the mid-1990s, played more than 650 times for the Old Trafford outfit and is widely acknowledged as one of the finest English footballers of his generation.

A one club man, Scholes picked up 24 winners medals during his time with the Red Devils, including 10 Premier League wins and two Champions League successes after making his debut in September 1994.

However, having struggled to secure first-team football this season, the 36-year old has opted not to sign a new playing contract at the club but will remain alongside Sir Alex Ferguson in a coaching role.

In a statement released on the club's official site, Scholes said: "I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour. 

"This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing. To have been part of the team that helped the club reach that 19th title is a great privilege.

"I would like to thank the fans for their tremendous support throughout my career, I would also like to thank all the coaches and players that I have worked with over the years, but most of all I would like to thank Sir Alex for being such a great manager, from the day I joined the club his door has always been open and I know this team will go on to win many more trophies under his leadership."

Ferguson has led the tributes to the former England international, stating that Scholes is an inspirational figure.

He said: "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."

The club's chief executive, David Gill, has also paid tribute to the veteran, saying: "It is a very sad day for Manchester United fans around the world. We all know that Paul was one of the players that came through the ranks of the academy system in the 1990s and has established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the United shirt. 

"It is very important that the club keeps its association with these great players and we are delighted that Paul will join the coaching staff."

Man Utd resigned to Scholes making retirement announcement

Manchester United appear to be fighting a losing battle in persuading Paul Scholes to play on next season.

Sir Alex Ferguson admits he has had no word back from the midfielder.

The 36-year-old former England international is waiting until the end of the campaign before making up his mind – fuelling speculation that he might call time on his illustrious career.

Scholes, who was sent off at Wembley recently in the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City, had a purple patch earlier this season but hasn’t figured as prominently as Ryan Giggs, who has agreed to stay on next season.

Ferguson said: “I’ve had a few chats with Paul and I’m encouraging him to stay, but we’ll see. He has never had any weight problems, he’s got good balance so you never see him get whacked to any great degree because his balance is just so good.”

Ferguson admits Scholes may turn down new deal

Sir Alex Ferguson remains hopeful of Paul Scholes penning a new deal.

Ryan Giggs has already agreed a new one-year contract for next season, with his manager claiming the 37-year-old can go on longer even than that, while his efforts to persuade Scholes to stay on are ongoing.

"Giggs is exceptional," said Ferguson. "He can play a further two years and I will try to convince Scholes to continue too. As opposed to Giggs, he has had several injuries and problems, especially in his knees.

"He also had an eye problem that ruled him out of action for five months. He nevertheless is always ready to compete for United.

"Giggs and him are among the 10 best players in the history of Manchester United."

Neville urging Scholes to play on for Man Utd

Gary Neville hopes former teammates Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs play on next season.

Like many other United fans, he is keen for the veteran duo to keep entertaining for as long as possible.

"I speak to Ryan and Paul all the time," Neville told the Daily Star Sunday. "I trust them and we've become incredibly close.

"And I am the one who keeps begging them to go for at least one more year. They are still two of the best players around.

"They are both key men for the team and are on a different level to anybody else in the game."

Ferguson still waiting on Scholes retirement decision

Sir Alex Ferguson wants a decision from Paul Scholes about his plans next season.

The Daily Star says Fergie admits it will be almost impossible to replace Scholes when the midfield veteran retires.

Scholes, 36, is ­mulling over signing a ­contract extension and playing one more season for Fergie’s men.

He has told club officials he will make a decision ­before the summer but he could choose to pack it in and bring the curtain down on his illustrious career.

Xavi: I would have chosen Man Utd if I came to England

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has revealed that he would have loved to have played for Manchester United if he ever decided to move to England.

The Spanish midfielder maestro was speaking to the Daily Mail about his English football heroes ahead of Barca’s trip to London to take on Arsenal next week and said he had a deep affection for the famous Manchester club.

“Rooney, Scholes, Cesc (Fabregas), Nasri and Giggs (are my current favourites),” he said.

“I was also a big fan of John Barnes, Chris Waddle and Matt Le Tissier. And although it is a different style, I liked the Paul Ince and Roy Keane partnership Manchester United had.

“They would have been my team had I moved to England.”

Xavi also said that Paul Scholes is the most ‘complete’ midfielder in the game today.

“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 added.

“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.”

Xabi Alonso: Man Utd ace Scholes idolised in Spain

Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso believes Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes would be idolised if he played in Spain.

Xabi says a shirt he swapped with Scholes still has pride of place in his trophy room.

"I have his shirt still at home," he said. "We agreed to swap.

"When I was playing for Liverpool, Scholes was one of the players that I greatly appreciated. Perhaps in England he is not as appreciated as he should.

"In Spain he would probably would be more appreciated, where midfielders like him are seen as the ideal type.

"He has many fans in Spain, who admire him greatly."

Ferguson wants his scouts to find him 3 future legends!

Sir Alex Ferguson has sent his scouts out to find him three future stars.

The Manchester Evening News says Ferguson intends to buy his replacements for the club's three legends Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

The surviving trio from the Class of ‘92 remain on one-year deals at Old Trafford and are being considered for new contracts.

A question mark hangs over the future of injury-stricken right back Neville, who’ll be 36 in February, and his retirement is expected this summer.

Giggs, 37, and 36-year-old Scholes are set to stay on and accept new 12-month deals before the end of the season.

But finding successors for the trio, who have amassed over 2000 appearances between them, is paramount as United scour the globe for new recruits.

For Giggs, Tottenham ace Gareth Bale is the obvious choice for Ferguson, while in Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder he sees a successor for Scholes.

United are also watching Olympiakos right-back Vassilis Torosidis with a view to finding Neville’s replacement.

Ryan, Nev and Scholes to be offered £200,000 a week contract...NOT by Man Utd

Ryan Giggs is to be offered £200,000 a week to finish his career in the Middle East.

And fellow Manchester United veterans Paul Scholes and Gary Neville can also expect mega deals from Dubai clubs.

Top oufits in the UAE League, including David O'Leary's Al Ahli, have already discussed signing the trio next summer.

A United insider said: "Ryan is a legend at United and still an important part of the team but like Scholesy and Gary Neville, he can't go on for ever.

"He has always rejected moves but this is a very attractive way for him to end his career, a last big pay day in the sun.

"The same goes for Scholesy and Nev."

Giggs, 36, Scholes, 35, and Neville, 35, are all on United contracts which expire next summer.

They are coming to the end of their Premier League careers and may fancy one last big pay day.

Neville even has a property in Dubai and Giggs recently holidayed there.

Italian 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro moved to Al Ahli last summer and was immediately put on £110,000-a-week tax free - which equates to £200,000 here.

Cannavaro said: "I always thought of moving to live in Dubai as I love it - I have achieved my dream."

Giggs, Scholes and Neville have played over 2,000 games for United.

Giggs has made a record 847 appearances for United while struggling Neville celebrated his 600th appearance at Stoke on Sunday.

Scholes named as Barclays Player of the Month for August

Paul Scholes has been named Barclays Player of the Month for August with Carlo Ancelotti picking up the award for best boss.

Manchester United midfielder Scholes was outstanding in his side's opener against Newcastle, scored a superb goal in the draw at Fulham and was at his brilliant best in the 3-0 win over West Ham.

Scholes, 35, has now received the award four times in his glittering career and is only one behind Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard in the all-time list.

He is tied with Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

Scholes prefer coaching Oldham than answering Capello's call.

Paul Scholes is more excited by the prospect of coaching his boyhood club Oldham than pulling on an England shirt again.

The 35-year-old's form for Manchester United has brought calls for him to return to international football and rejuvenate Fabio Capello's flops.

Scholes even admitted regret at not answering Franco Baldini's call to join Capello's World Cup squad in South Africa.

But the United stalwart believes the reasons he quit the game six years ago remain just as valid.

He told coaching website Football4Football.com: "I wasn't enjoying it any more.

"Playing in competitions can mean being away for six weeks at a time. It just wasn't for me and it was showing.

"When I was playing, I wasn't playing as well as I could have been so I think it was the right decision.

"I still think retirement from club football is a few years off for me but I've started doing my coaching badges because I'm determined to stay in the game.

"I don't know about anything else."

In fact, Scholes has his heart set on being involved with the Latics, now managed by former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov.

A close source said: "It would be dream come true for Scholes to be involved in coaching with Oldham.

"It's his first love and would be one of the only roles that would get him excited."

Sir Alex Ferguson will be delighted that such a key member of his team is still devoting his entire playing time to United.

Since retiring from England, Scholes has scored fewer goals domestically but has arguably become a more effective team player.

Stats show his passing accuracy and his chance-making have been better in the last six years than before.

Capello is ready to approach Scholes for England recall. What a week for Scholes!

England coach Fabio Capello is ready to approach Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes again about ending his international retirement.

The Guardian says Scholes could yet be offered a return to the England set-up after it emerged that Capello is to ask the Manchester United midfielder to clarify his publicly expressed sense of regret at having declined a late invitation to be included in the World Cup squad.

The national coach will seek to determine once and for all whether Scholes has any appetite to end his self-imposed international exile and play a part in England's qualification campaign for Euro 2012. Capello watched the 35-year-old impress yet again in United's 2-2 draw at Fulham yesterday, with Scholes scoring the opening goal and maintaining his fine start to the season.

Steve Bruce: Scholes almost couldn't make it as a junior player at Man Utd

Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce has revealed how there were fears Paul Scholes wasn't going to make it as a junior player.

Sunderland boss Bruce has paid tribute to his former teammate.

He told the Daily Mail: "Even when he was a youngster, it was difficult to miss Scholesy. A little lad - and he really was a dot too - with flame red hair, darting about.

"Everyone remembers that great youth team, but they forget that there were doubts over whether Scholes would make it; not because of any lack of ability, but because of a problem with his knees (Scholes suffered from Osgood-Schlatter disease, a knee problem that affects younger players).

"Players like Scholes and Ryan Giggs don't come along very often. Paolo Maldini at AC Milan is the only other one I can think of.

"Perhaps the ultimate compliment I can pay him is what happened the other day -and I hope Danny Welbeck won't mind me mentioning it - because he may get some stick from his pals at Old Trafford. We were sitting having lunch at Sunderland and I was discussing the Manchester United game against Newcastle and in particular, Scholesy's performance.

"Danny, who is loan with us, was within earshot and he piped up that Paul was still the best player at Manchester United. That, for me, said it all."

WTH! Arsene Wenger launches attack on Scholes. What's your problem Wenger?

Arsene Wenger has launched an amazing attack on Manchester United icon Paul Scholes.

It is not the first time Wenger has singled out a United player. Last season he intimated Darren Fletcher constantly got away with fouling.

When asked about Scholes, Wenger said: "Who wouldn't want a quality player like Paul Scholes in his team?

"But ask me if he's been a fair player, I say no. I'm sorry, for me he's not been fair.

"There's a little bit of a darker side in him. I don't like some things he does.

"It's not because you are older suddenly that you are a saint."

Asked if there was a specific tackle he had in mind, such as Scholes' reckless challenge on Jose Reyes in the 2004 FA Cup semi-final, Wenger said: "With Paul Scholes you have more than one.

"I can remember a few. Unfair? Of course."

Paul Scholes on Man City spending spree and next season title contenders

Paul Scholes has admitted Manchester United's players are worried by the prospect of their mega-rich neighbours City finishing above them in the Premier League.

City have never finished higher than United since the Premier League was formed and the last time they managed the feat was in the old First Division in 1991, when they ended the campaign in fifth spot, three points ahead and a place above of their local rivals.

But Scholes revealed the depth of concern at United over the new threat posed by City, now they have the financial clout to challenge for the title, by admitting there is a real fear they could finish higher than Sir Alex Ferguson's side this season.

"The last thing we want is City above us," said Scholes. "It's not happened since I've been here and we'll just have to see what happens there. They've bought so many players but whether they can gel together remains to be seen.

"It's great for the city to have two top teams, but I'd rather them be down in the Second Division, like they were ten years ago. There's always been big rivalry between us anyway, but even more so with the power they've now got."

City have spent £80million on new players this summer and are set to take that through the £100m barrier with the capture of Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli for £30m. City are also confident of landing Aston Villa and England midfielder James Milner for £24m before the start of the new season.

But while Scholes expects City's spending will ensure they are challenging near the top of the table, the 35-year-old also identified United's bitter rivals Liverpool as title contenders, despite their poor showing last season when they finished seventh.

"You have got to say Chelsea will be up there, but the rest you just don't know," said Scholes. "Liverpool could be, it just depends on how they start with a new manager. But you always have to be wary of Liverpool.

"The season before last they were really close to making a major challenge. Last season, for whatever reason, it didn't work out for them. But it's much the same group of players, with Joe Cole added to it as well. So I'm sure they will be a good team.

"Petr Cech and Didier Drogba will be a big miss for Chelsea at the start of the season. Cech has been a great keeper for them over past few seasons. But they have a couple of keepers capable of stepping in.

"It's at the start of the season as well, the first month, maybe they'll only miss three or four games. I don't think they'll miss them too much. Drogba should be back for second game of season.

"Last year we didn't win what we wanted to win but we weren't that far off. You don't want to use excuses, but the injuries we had were shocking. Hopefully most of us can stay fit this year and hopefully we can go one step further than last season."

Scholes, who like fellow veterans Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville is on a one-year contract, admitted he thought last season would be his final one with United. But having decided to play on for another year, he said he had made no plans about his future.

"It depends on performances and how you play," said Scholes. "I did go through last season thinking this might be the last time I played against this team or stuff like that. But I just don't know. My performances will decide when I finish.

"I thought at 35 that would be it. From being young and first getting into the squad I think you just presume everyone would finish at 35 and that's it. Whatever you do after that is a bonus. At the end of last season I felt okay and hopefully this season I will do as well."

England lost at World Cup simply because England's BEST Midfield Passer wasn't in the squad!

So much is being made of England's poor passing ability in midfield after the sorry exit from the World Cup that News of the World decided to look at which English players had the best stats in this area last season.

According to Opta's analysis, Paul Scholes and Jermaine Jenas came out on top.

From the table shown below, we can guess why Fabio Capello tried to persuade Scholes to end his international exile while Jenas was overlooked for the 30-man provisional squad despite being previously involved under the Italian coach.

Only Chelsea's John Obi Mikel is higher in our table after posting an 89.76% success rate.

Michael Essien was next in the rankings, ahead of Arsenal trio Emmanuel Eboue, Denilson and Samir Nasri.

Looking further down the list, Spaniard Mikel Arteta could qualify for England due to the residency laws and he's ahead of other candidates for the Three Lions.

Michael Carrick and Aaron Lennon, two players who did make the 23-man squad, are sandwiched between Fulham's Jonathan Greening while Jimmy Bullard, who was much maligned by Hull fans, still managed to record an impressive pass completion rate.

Paul Scholes to follow Solskjaer's footsteps soon

Paul Scholes wants to go into coaching when he hangs up his boots at the end of next season. The Manchester United midfielder has agreed to play for one more campaign at Old Trafford.

He revealed: "I am coming to the end of my playing career and I maybe have one year left.

"I have started doing my coaching badges back in England and hopefully one day I will be able to coach kids or coach some kind of team somewhere."

Scholes narrowly missed out on a 10th Premier League champion's medal when Chelsea pipped the Red Devils to the title last season.

But United boss Alex Ferguson believes Scholes still has the quality for another year at the top.

And the 35-year-old is under no illusions about the influence the great Scot has had on his career.

The ex-England star said: "He has been great. It goes without saying what a top manager he has been.

"The amount of players he has brought through the youth team is great and it gives hope to all the kids in the youth team that if they are good enough he will definitely use them.

"It has just been fantastic working with him and I think there is a good few years left in him yet."