Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes Stats
-Full Name: Paul Aaron Scholes
-Birthplace: Salford, Greater Manchester
-Date of Birth: 16/11/1974
-Height: 170cm (5ft 7ins)
-Weight: 161lbs (11st 7lbs)
-Position: Midfield, Striker
-Squad Number: 18

International Football
England (1997 - 04)

Introduction
What can I say about Paul Scholes which has not already been said? Well, here goes. "The Ginger Prince" is one of the most naturally and technically gifted footballers that England has ever produced. With his mind boggling movement, composure on the ball, pinpoint raking passes and his rocket shot it's clear that Scholsey is the ultimate attacking midfielder.

On the other side some critics label Paul Scholes as a bad tackler, but I personally think that he throws in the odd late tackle to let his opponents know he's there and to remind them that if they kick him, he'll kick them back even harder. It's a ploy that has served him well over the years and as a result he has been ever present in the engine room of the Manchester United team. Just take a moment and ask yourself how many bad tackels has little Scholsey been on the receiving end of?...The answer not very many. So his tackling is a great preservation tactic?

Manchester United Career
After the succesful F.A. Youth Cup winning campaign of 1992 Paul Scholes eventually made his Manchester United debut on 21 September 1994 in the 2-1 - 2nd round, first leg of League Cup - victory over Port Vale at Vale Park, scoring both of The Red Devils goals. He then went on to score in his very next game against Ipswich Town as United went down 3-2 at Portman Road, He eventually finished the 1994-95 season with an impressive 19 first team appearances to his name and 7 goals.

Unfortunately for Paul Scholes and his Manchester United team mates, after the banning of the influential Eric Cantona over his 'Kung-Fu' style attack on hooligan Mathew Simmons the team - by the norrowest of margins - lost out on the League and F.A. Cup double when they were pipped by Northern rivals Blackburn Rovers and Everton respectively.

The following season was the infamous "You can't win anything with kids" season where Paul Scholes along with fellow youngsters Gary Neville, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville. Proved the critics and doubters wrong - after the opening day 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa - by securing the League and F.A. Cup. Scholsey finised the season by scoring an incredible 14 goals in 18 starts.

Paul Scholes' fine form was now begenning to turn the head of the then England manager Glen Hoddle, who handed the player his debut in the 2-1 friendly victory over South Africa on the 24 May 1997 at Old Trafford, with the first of his 14 international goals coming eleven days later in his full England debut in the 2-0 victory over Italy. Scholsey eventually retired from the national team set-up after the failed Euro 2004 campaign to concentrate on spending more time with his young family.

During the 2007-08 season - after battling a career threatening eye injury - Scholsey's hard work at commitment to the United cause payed off when he fired his team-mates into the UEFA Champions League final with a superb 30 yard screamer which rocketed past Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes into the top corner. This goal was fitting to say the least as Paul Scholes along with warrior Roy Keane missed the 1999 final through suspension. United went on to defeat Chelsea in the 2008 Moscow final 6-5 on penalties after the sides finished the game with the scores level at 1-1.

Paul Scholes has thus far had such a distinguished career at Manchester United, picking up two Champions League (was given a medal even though he didn't play in the 1999 final), eight League titles, three F.A.Cups and one League Cup winning medals and chipping in with 138 goals in 560 appearances in the process.

Manchester United
-FA Premier League:1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007,2008,2009
-UEFA Champions League: 1999, 2008
-Intercontinental Cup: 1999
-FA Cup:1996, 1999, 2004
-League Cup: 2006
-FIFA Club World Cup:2008
-Carling Cup: 2009

Paul Scholes Personal Honours
-FA Premier League Player of the Month: Jan 2003, Dec 2003, Oct 2006
-PFA Team of the Year: 2003, 2007