Farewell to a Legend

I opened up my favourite football websites today and was stabbed in the heart. A true legend has retired. Paul Scholes has retired!

I knew this was going to be his last season with Man United to be honest, but the headlines still cut to the bone...

For most, when Man United is mentioned, they think of popular superstars such as Cantona, Hughes, Keane, Beckham, van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs etc...but for me, Scholes stands above them all. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him control and win games. I am privileged to have been able to watch his whole career with my beloved Man United.

He is a true legend of the game whose passing and movement has never been rivaled in the Premier League. He will be remembered by all United fans for being the camera-shy, “I-let-the-football-do-my-talking” type of guy.

The last 15 years have been awestruck by modern greats like Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo (The real one, the Brazilian one) , Henry, Ronaldo (the arrogant Portuguese one with no BMT) and even Ronaldinho. But the professionals in the game have labeled Scholes as their most gifted opponent and colleague. Even last week Pep Guardiola himself paid tribute to the 36-year-old, labeling him: “the best midfielder of his generation.”

The very talented Andries Iniesta had two priorities before Saturday’s champions league Final: win the match of course; and then get Scholes’ shirt. Iniesta, perhaps amung the leading exponents of modern midfield artistry (along with Xavi), got his wish before starting this celebrations with his team mates. Even in the final game of his epic career, Paul Scholes attracted the admiration of his most distinguished peers.

His coaches, team mates and even opponents think the world of him and are the 1^st to tell you of his genius.

Carlos Queiroz said. “Scholesy could play five-a-side blindfolded”.

Bobby Charlton said: "I have no hesitation in putting a name to the embodiment of all that I think is best about football," "It's Paul Scholes”.
"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. I love his nous and conviction that he will find a way to win, to make the killer pass or produce the decisive volley.
"When a game reaches a vital phase, these qualities seem to come out of his every pore. He's always on the ball, always turning on goal.
"He's always looking to bring other people into the action and if he loses possession you think he must be ill."

Xavi Hernandez: ‘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 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.’

In 676 games our favorite ginger scored 150 goals. In 17 years of service at Old Trafford, Paul Scholes won 1 x FA Youth Cup,  3 x Carling Cups, 8 x community shields, 4 x FA Cups, 2 x Fifa Club World Cups, 12 x Premier League titles and 2 x Champions League titles. What an unbelievable career from an unbelievable player.

He is not completely lost to United as he is joining the Man United’s Staff as a coach. That is great news for the current FA Youth Cup Champions. Who better to learn the art and temperament needed to be playing for Man United than Paul Scholes. 

United fans will miss him dearly. “Paul Scholes....He scores Goals...”