When the ball hit the back of the net against Wolves a few weeks ago we all breathed a huge sigh of relief. We weren’t playing too well and we were in desperate need of the points. With tough games on the horizon we couldn’t afford to drop points there.
I wouldn’t have cared if that winning goal had come off Gary Neville’s arse, as long as it went in, but it was great to see Paul Scholes get it, given that it was his 100th league goal. It reminded of a couple of other moments in his career though.
A couple of weeks before securing our 7-1 win against Roma in the Champions League in 2007, United secured an impressive Premiership victory. We had gone a goal down at home against Blackburn Rovers and went in at half time behind. Fifteen minutes in to the second half and we were still a goal behind but our fans roared the team on.
Then the ball fell to Scholesy in the box. “SHOOT!” we cried out, but he patiently dragged the ball past the charging defender. “SHOOT!” we cried again, but still he refused to strike the ball. “SHOOOOOOT!” was screamed, this time with total desperation, and Scholesy put his foot through the ball and levelled the scored. 12 minutes later Carrick put us 2-1 up, 10 minutes after than Park made it 3-1 before Solskjaer added the fourth in injury time. Seven games to go and five wins were needed to secure our first title win since 2004.
Most players would have struck the ball when it first game to them, feeling the pressure of needing a goal, but their panic would likely have resulted in the ball being blocked. But Scholesy had the composure, experience and ability to wait for the perfect moment to strike. It were these characteristics which enabled him to score against Wolves, as he waited for his opponent to slide in before pulling the trigger.
His celebration was wild, reacting like a young lad after scoring his first United goal, rather than a man in his mid-30s scoring his 100th (148th in all competitions). I tried to recall the last time he looked so out of control. He looked pretty bloody happy against Barcelona and was impressed impressed with himself against Aston Villa, but the last time he had that mental look about him was when he scored the opening goal against Liverpool a few months in to the 06-07 season on his 500th appearance for the club. We were looking for the break through, after being top for much of the first half, when Scholes put away one of the scrappiest goals he’s ever scored. The game is probably better remembered for Rio Ferdinand’s ridiculously good goal and ridiculous celebration (yes, he was being serious with that whole “Brap!” carry on) but it was Scholes’ goal that set us on our way.
With Anderson out injured for the season and Owen Hargreaves still yet to make an appearance for the first team, we are relying on Scholes more than we would probably like to. Not because he isn’t incredibly able still, as that quite simply isn’t the case, but because he is getting on a bit and can’t perform consistently at the highest level for three games in seven days.
Still, Scholes looks set to achieve his highest goal tally since 2005 and has plenty to offer the team as we close in on our fourth consecutive title. It’s not just his ability but the aforementioned qualities. He is still hungry as he was as a little lad breaking in to the first team almost two decades ago and he has the patience and experience to keep his head when it matters.
Whilst the jury is still out on Gary Neville, this really shouldn’t be Scholes’ last season and I hope it is a taste of more glory in May which will convince him to keep on going.
Paul Scholes, we salute you.
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The ginger ninja….
we love Paul Scholes, he scores goals galore!!
pul scholes the man with my favourite sending off ever against liverpool
his mid air swinging punch
our man with 18 on his back has done so much on the road to 19
You’ve said it all Scott. And to imagine he almost retired seasons ago when he had the eye problem. A true legend who has largely gone about his business without seeking the headlines. Recently Zinedine Zidane said Scholesy is the best player of his generation! It means alot coming from a person of Zizzous calibre. Yes, the Ginger Prince is the BEST of his generation.
He’s short, he’s red, he’d rather stay in bed, Paul schoooooles.
If he was anything but English then he would be regarded as one of the best midfielders to ever play.
Scholesy! He has been immense the last few months. He will play a crucial part tomorrow in controlling the tempo.
My favourite player in United’s entire history
fantastic.,… what more would not be said about Scholesy ??????// he is of extreme class. he is a perfect example for the footballer of this generation. humble and down would not fit for him. he is more. he never wanted tv screens at all. while all the team celebrates after winning trophy, Scholesy never does that, instead he goes home and thinks about the next game.
that is the perfect united line of legends. when u are at united, u don’t settle for one trophy or two, even treble is not enough. u should look more. i am so happy to witness the generation of Ferguson boys ( giggsy, nevile brothers, becky , scholes and so ) . i am so happy that i was born at this generation so that i could see these legends on the pitch. they were all born to play football and never thought of having tv screen obsession. they focus on the club and trophy…………..
these days… this kind of behavior is hard to see in players. they love going out and become celebrities. advertising and doing doing on the screens. more of ego centric
finally…………….I WANT TO PUT IT IS THIS WAY……………… I LOVE YOU SCHOLES AND UR COLLEAGE ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THE 90S BATCH.
UNITED FOR EVER
I AM LOOKING FOR ONE GOAL FROM SCHOLES OR GIGGS AGAINST ARCH RIVALS LIVERFOOL
apparently this is the chant pete boyle is trying to get going tomorrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa3hZcqTV7o
thanks jellybean
Great post Scott and couldn’t agree more mate. Any other player against Wolves would have snatched that shot. He has been top drawer this season and an absolute pleasure to watch. Keep it up Paul.
Still remember that Blackburn game like it was yesterday – we were camped in their half but unable to land that killer punch, Giggsy hit the bar from point blank range and the commentator was like ‘its like there are demons in the goal’. Then Scholes popped up with his moment of inspiration..
35+ yrs of age and still doing the business for us in all competitions – crucial levellers at San Siro and Carling Cup second leg against the bitters, winner against the Wolves.. Hats off !!
I”d love to see gary scores with his arse against liverpool . But yeah we should have him for next season . We dont have any player who has his abilities . His first touch his range of passing his composure . When rested well he can control the medfield like no one does in the world . Look at milan and wolsburg away for example i dont think carrick could have done the same job . I dont think any player in the world would have been able to do the same job
The best midfielder of his generation. Long may he continue.
What a great summing up of Paul Scholes that was, Scott, bringing back so many treasured memories. I must admit I had rather written him off earlier this season, notably after his awful performance at Fulham but now it’s fantastic to see how much he gives the team. And that’s the other reason for keeping him on next season, his impact on younger players, who can learn lessons from the master every day in training as well as out there on the pitch , still at the highest level in crunch games. Yes it’s true he can’t cope with too many matches too close together and he needs to be matched up with hard-runners like Fletch, but he can still deliver a wider range of passing in the team than anyone else.
One other thing about Scott’s piece, wasn’t it wonderful to remember the days when one could say, ‘Solskjear added a fourth in injury time’. Boy, how I miss his pin-point, pass-into-the-net goalscoring, all precision and timing, minimal backlift. As the Bayern match approaches we’ll no doubt see his immortal ’99 winner at least 99 times, but I’d like to remember him for all the other fabulous goals he got. People say we’ve never replaced Keano, which is true , but nor have we found a new Ole.
Scholesy is my favourite United player of all time. Before anyone rants, it’s not always about skill (even though he has that in spades) – sometimes it’s about who you identify most with. As the skinny short-arse attacking CM that everyone wrote off, Scholesy was my role model – the perfect example of how I could still make it anyway. I’ve had to learn to appreciate Giggsy, Keano et al, but Scholesy has been the only one I’ve ever taken to straight away.
It says something that I’ve only ever bought 2 replica shirts with names on the back and his was the first (Ronaldo being the other, before he broke my heart). Having said that, if I could’ve afforded a kit (let alone one with numbering!) during Cantona’s time, I would’ve had one with his name on the back, of course.
Always been my favorite player
100 goals from midfield says it all really, top class player.
He has been class in the past few months. We don’t look the same without him in the middle. You can always count on him to up his game in an important fixture or open the scoring and get the team going. His passes and touches have been top notch this season. One of the many living legends we have at Utd.
My Favorite Player Ever…… Xavi, Iniesta, Gerrard the thug and Fat Frank all together could not even clean his shoes…..
Giles – hello mate. Absolutely spot on about Ole. The key like you mentioned is “minimal backlift”. He scored these kind of pass into the net goals time and time again. THE best natural finisher I have ever seen.
The most gifted english player of all time.
I had never seen us so domimant in a game like i saw us against Blackburn that day.
And that season was so fucking special.
It will be one of the most sad days of my life when Paul retires. As King Eric once said we won’t be able to find another Paul Scholes.
Great article Scott!, Sholes is one of the mos underestimated players of the entire world. He is a genius, and everybody that has worked with him says the same thing. Even Zidane said he was the best player of his generation.
You should make a banner for scholesy, just like the ones you have for Ryan. He deserves that
Pure class, that Scholesy. And I love it when he celebrates wildly… just shows how much it means to him to bang those in.
Long Live d legend.. i salute u Paul
Hi King Eric. I’d love a goal against the dippers tomorrow like Ole’s against them in the FA Cup in ’99! One of my favourite goals ever.
He was never very fast and he has never been very tall but he’s always been one hell of a footballer. Put Paul Scholes behind a fit Owen Hargreaves and a snarling Darren Fletcherinho and he will go on and on and on – kinda like an EverReadyBunny.
gotta love the guy a total class act and i just love the way he still dives in after god knows how many years its funny to watch how the hell can anybody with his skill set be that bad at tackling i fucking love him
LEGEND!
Salute is the word. Great read and beautifully written.
I will add my inane comment being a mouthy Scot. I see Paul as a mirror of all things UNITED together TEAM humble shy and falmboyant and Winners!
You might have lost yer engine mate but you never loose yer outofthisstratospherefootballbrain Right!
Star*
“Socrates was asked about what he thought of English football. It was such an open-ended question that he could have answered anything.
“Paul Scho-les,” smiled the father of six, whose youngest is three. “Good enough to play for Brazil. I love to watch Scho-les, to see him pass, the boy with the red hair and the red shirt.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1193868_andy_mitten_column
Paul Scholes my BELIEVE!!
I grew up in a non-football playing / watching country so I wasn’t exposed to football until recently. When I first started watching Manchester United play 3 or so years ago I immediately latched on to Scholes. His attitude, his play and his… ineffable quality. That perfect pass at forty yards to the right corner or a tricky feed in the box… a poorly timed tackle or a rash in-goal handball… the man is a true footballer, he always plays with everything he has, every bit of spirit. It is inspiring to watch.
paul is my best ever i love to see the man passing ball every side of the field the master of midfield any game long live in football my hero .the masterful paul manchester scholes that is the way i use to call his name.