Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes
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Name	Paul Scholes
Caption	Scholes in 2013
Fullname	Paul Scholes
Birth date	16 November 1974
Birth place	Salford, Greater Manchester, England
Height	1.70 m
Position	Midfielder
Youthyears1	1986–1991
Youthclubs1	Manchester United
Years1	1991–2013
Clubs1	Manchester United
Caps1	499
Goals1	107
Nationalyears1	1993–2011
Nationalteam1	England
Nationalcaps1	66
Nationalgoals1	14

Paul Scholes Paul Scholes is an English former professional footballer and coach known for his long-term association with Manchester United, his midfield passing, and goal-scoring from distance. He won numerous domestic and continental honours with Manchester United and represented England at major tournaments. Regarded by peers and commentators as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, Scholes combined technical skill, positional intelligence, and competitive temperament.

Early life and youth career

Born in Salford, Scholes grew up in the Greater Manchester area and attended St Mark's CE Primary School, later progressing through local football structures tied to Trafford and Wythenshawe. He joined the Manchester United youth system at a young age, developing alongside contemporaries from the club's famed youth intake, including Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, and Phil Neville. Scholes advanced through the United Academy and featured in youth competitions such as the FA Youth Cup as the club prepared squads competing in Football League youth fixtures and Premier League reserve matches. Under youth coaches connected with the club's development pathway—figures influenced by Sir Alex Ferguson's recruitment policies and the club's scouting network—he progressed to the senior squad, demonstrating passing range that attracted comparisons to midfielders from England and continental clubs like AC Milan and FC Barcelona.

Club career

Scholes made his senior breakthrough for Manchester United during the early 1990s and became integral to the team that dominated Premier League seasons across the 1990s and 2000s alongside teammates such as Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes, Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wayne Rooney. He contributed to title-winning campaigns in the 1995–96 Premier League, 1996–97 Premier League, and subsequent championship seasons, forming midfield partnerships with Paul Ince, Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, and Michael Carrick. Scholes featured in UEFA Champions League fixtures and was part of the United squad that won the 1998–99 Champions League treble, alongside victories in the FA Cup and Football League Cup in different seasons. Renowned for long-range strikes, free-kicks, and late runs into the box, he scored decisive goals in domestic cups, UEFA Champions League ties, and Premier League title-deciders. After an initial retirement, Scholes briefly returned to boost United's midfield depth during seasons where United contested honours against rivals such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City. His career statistics include hundreds of league appearances and over a hundred goals for Manchester United, contributing to multiple Premier League championships, FA Cup trophies, and UEFA Champions League honours.

International career

Scholes earned caps for England at senior level, debuting under managers connected to the national setup and participating in qualification campaigns for European Championships and FIFA World Cup tournaments. He represented England at major tournaments such as UEFA Euro 2000 and UEFA Euro 2004 and was selected for squads competing in FIFA World Cup qualification cycles. Competition for midfield positions in the England national team included contemporaries like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Ince, and David Beckham, which influenced selection dynamics. Scholes scored goals for England in qualifying matches and international friendlies, and his international career spanned different managerial eras, including those led by Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Sven-Göran Eriksson, and Fabio Capello.

Style of play and legacy

Scholes was celebrated for short and long passing accuracy, spatial awareness, late box arrival, and shooting technique, drawing comparisons with midfield playmakers from clubs such as AC Milan, Juventus, and FC Barcelona. His low centre of gravity, balance, and tackling ability enabled him to compete in midfield duels against opponents from La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A teams in European competition. Analysts, former teammates, and managers including Roy Keane, Sir Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ryan Giggs have praised his vision and consistency; football writers from outlets linked to The Guardian, BBC Sport, The Telegraph, and FourFourTwo have placed him in lists of top midfielders. Coaches and pundits often cite his influence on younger midfielders across United and the England set-up, and his legacy features in club histories alongside figures like Bobby Charlton and Denis Law. Scholes's style influenced discussions about midfield roles in tactical analyses comparing systems used by Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, Arsène Wenger, and Carlo Ancelotti.

Coaching and managerial career

Following retirement, Scholes transitioned into coaching and brief managerial roles, engaging with positions within Manchester United's coaching framework and taking temporary charge alongside colleagues from the club's coaching staff, which included figures connected to Ole Gunnar Solskjær, David Moyes, and Rafael Benítez in broader managerial narratives. He also managed at the Salford City level in discussions about lower-league management trends and explored approaches to player development aligned with methodologies seen at clubs like Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, and Southampton. His coaching philosophy referenced training practices admired in England's coaching community and confronted challenges familiar to former players turned managers, as documented in coaching case studies alongside careers of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Mikel Arteta.

Personal life and charity work

Scholes's family life is connected to the Greater Manchester community and includes ties to local institutions and charitable efforts. He has participated in charity matches and supported causes associated with organisations similar to Manchester United Foundation and national campaigns promoted by personalities in football and entertainment, collaborating with former teammates such as Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, and Ryan Giggs on community initiatives. His off-field profile has appeared in media coverage by outlets like BBC Sport, The Times, and Sky Sports and he has been involved in punditry and ambassadorial roles linked to events and organisations within English football.

Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:English footballers Category:Manchester United F.C. players Category:England international footballers