Good Bye Neville, G Bye VDS & Hargreaves, G Bye Scholes...

• zocoss

  31 May 11, 17:52

   

  

  END OF AN ERA ... Paul Scholes

   

   

   

  MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has retired from football.

  The midfielder, 36, decided to hang up his boots after growing increasingly dissatisfied with his bit-part role.

  Scholes — who scored 150 goals in 675 appearances — will take up a coaching role at United next season.

  He said: "This was not a decision I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing.

  "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.

  "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 Alex Ferguson 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."

  The Red Devils have also announced Scholes will have a testimonial match at Old Trafford in August.

   

• zocoss

  31 May 11, 17:53

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

  ALEX FERGUSON today led the tributes to retiring Manchester United star Paul Scholes.

  United boss Ferguson praised the ex-England star, who has spent his entire 17-year career at Old Trafford.

  Scholes will work alongside Ferguson as a coach at United from next season.

  The Scot 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."

  Scholes' former United and England team-mate Gary Neville used Twitter to hail the 36-year-old.

  He said: "Paul Scholes - The best! Great player, person, friend!"

  Current United star Rio Ferdinand added: "Paul Scholes aka Sat Nav went from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game (changed his game while still at top of the game). Genius.

  "Going to miss training with him and his cold cutting and dry comments on the bike while warming up next to me on anyone who deserves it!"

  Three Lions starlet Jack Wilshere also gave his thoughts on Scholes' retirement.

  He tweeted: "Sad to hear Paul Scholes is retiring, what a player!

  "Top class and a great role model for any young English midfield player!"

  Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who also played for United, said: "One of the best players I've ever seen in my life! Spectacular on training!! Playing with him was a joy!"

• the Bear

  31 May 11, 18:06

  still think Nike should give him a contract for shoes...

  they'd be called Air Scholes

• shanfan

  31 May 11, 22:14

  These old boys are finally going to be gone.  

• iceFatboy

  1 Jun 11, 06:23

  thanks for a good time... bye

• zocoss

  1 Jun 11, 11:03

   

  Gary Pallister leads tributes to Paul Scholes

  

  Paul Scholes made 676 appearances for United since his debut in 1994

   

   

   

  Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister thinks Paul Scholes deserves to be compared with the club's greats, following news of his retirement.

  Scholes, 36, made his United debut in 1994, going on to win 10 Premier League titles in 676 appearances.

  "His record speaks for itself," Pallister told the BBC. "He's up there with the greats. He's done everything that needs to be done in the game.

  "He's got a great footballing brain and a great appetite to win.

  WAYNE ROONEY hailed Paul Scholes as the best he has ever played with as the legendary Manchester United midfielder announced his retirement.

  For a player who famously avoids the spotlight, the weight of praise falling down on Scholes' red head yesterday would have left him blushing.

  After a 17-year career which brought him 10 Premier League titles and a Champions League winner's medal, he will focus now on coaching at the only club for which he has played.

  Striker Rooney led the applause for the star with the touch, vision and finishing that has been envied by the greats.

  Rooney said: "He will be missed greatly. He is definitely the best player I've played with.

  "I tried to ask him what he was doing but you don't get much out of him.

  "I didn't think it would come this quickly. Everyone will be sad to see him stop. He is a great player."

  The 36-year-old's decision will leave Ryan Giggs, 37, as the last of the famous FA Youth Cup-winning class of '92 still playing for United.

  Scholes had been with the Red Devils since he was 14 and made his debut in 1994.

  Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke told Sky Sports News: "When you look back you talk about legends of the game, he's certainly up there. Twenty trophies since 1994 - he just seems to get better and better.

  "I've had the honour of playing alongside him. The four years I've played alongside him, he is the best player, one of the first names on the manager's team sheet.

  "He is just a complete legend. There are not enough players like Paul Scholes around any more for my liking. 'Legend' is over-used but this guy is right up there with the very best."

  Even in retirement, Scholes was understated. He said: "I'm not a man of many words but playing football is all I have ever wanted to do. To have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour.

  "This was not a decision I've taken lightly but I feel now is the right time to stop playing.

  "To have been part of the team that helped the club reach that 19th title is a great privilege.

  Fergie said: "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.

  When his peers were asked about Scholes they were always gushing with praise.

  When it was put to Edgar Davids at the peak of his powers that the Dutchman was the best midfielder in the world, he replied: "I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is.

  "Every one of us is just trying to become as good as him. Everyone can learn from Paul Scholes."

  Zinedine Zidane was a Champions League and World Cup winner and regarded as one of the greatest to ever touch a football.

  Yet he said: "My toughest opponent? Scholes. He is the complete midfielder. He is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation."

   

  Scholes played his final game as a sub in Saturday's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

  One man was determined to swap shirts with him.

  Xavi said: "He was the best central midfielder that I have seen. The most complete.

  "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, maybe he would have been valued more."

  Maybe he was right.

   

• Rock^Star

  1 Jun 11, 12:58

  Most complete? Yes I agree on everything except tackling.

• cumBackWenUHVwon19

  1 Jun 11, 22:26

  Fergie's fav player