Paul Scholes AdoRED

In a week of retirements one legend made his final appearance alongside Sir Alex at Old Trafford last Sunday and that was Paul Scholes. It came as no real shock as Scholes had been fighting injury for most of the season but given the fast pace of the premiership then perhaps it was time to call last orders.

This is the second time Scholes has retired, he went immediately after the Champions League defeat to Barcelona in 2011 and some felt that was a bit hasty and it proved right. United did struggle to replace him in the summer and relied on the likes of Anderson, Fletcher and Cleverley but all three of them were to face ravaging injuries which prompted Sir Alex to ask Scholes to come back and he duly did in a vital FA Cup game against Manchester City where he helped United knock out the holders in there own backyard.

He continued to play the rest of the season and United were narrowly pipped to the title on goal difference to Manchester City. He signed a new one year contract and although most of it was blighted by injuries he did manage to help United to that coveted title and reclaim the bragging rights in the City.

A Salford lad he joined United as a 14 year old and turned professional in 1993 and made his debut in the 1994-95 season and his stats for the club are staggering:-

club Appearances 717
club goals 155
England Appearances 66
England goals 14
Premiership Titles 11
FA Cup 3
League Cup 2
FA Community shield 5
UEFA Champions League 2
FIFA World Club titles 2

Paul Scholes was part of the 1992 Academy team that broke through into the first team which featured Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. He made his debut in the League cup against Port Vale where he scored twice in a 2-1 win and a few days later scored on his premiership debut in a 3-2 defeat to Ipswich at Portman Road.

He would then feature in the team for the next 18 seasons and scoring in each one of them only a record bettered by Ryan Giggs.

There are so many memories of Scholes but the semi final win in Turin when United beat Juventus 3-2 to reach the final during the 1999 treble year. He did get booked and missed the final but that didn't put him and Keane off as they hauled United back into the game and led United to the final.

Also his winning goal against Barcelona in the 2008 Semi Final and his display helped United reach the final.

Another was shooting display at Newcastle on route to the title where he scored 3 goals in a 6-2 win which displayed his very best finishing. He has scored some unbelievable goals such as the Beckham corner which was drifted outside the box at Valley Parade against Bradford where Dwight Yorke had to duck in case his head was taken off or that volley against Aston Villa at Villa Park where he crashed a shot against the underside of the bar and bounced in.

His peers were also impressed with Xavi, Iniesta and Zidane all expressing there admiration for his displays and he did have some weaknesses with his tackling leaving much to be desired with over a 120 yellow cards and 10 red cards but that aside he was a truly gifted player.

In a week of players going he does represent the old style player who never sought the limelight and just loved playing football. He will be missed and he will be one hell off a pair of boots to replace.