An Ode to a shy Legend…

The RedBrothersUnited collective presents a look back at the career of one of the most celebrated player in England and across the Europe.

Paul Scholes, a shy legend, greatly regarded by many of his footballing peers as the best midfield player of his generation. As to every legend, his style of play still remains an institution in itself. His elegant first touch, a genius passing skill and undoubtedly his control and possession over a football and even the bad tackles which in his own words were a way to get back at the players which fouled him earlier, it was all a part and extension of his legend.

Very few people know that Scholes was born in the wrong part of Manchester. Born in Salford and then later moving to Langley, which is just a few miles away from Manchester city, at the mere age of fourteen he met with his dream club and began training with Manchester United. A legend was in the making. The plan was coming to action soon.

Scholes was a significant force in the Class of 92, Manchester united youth team which famously won the FA youth cup that year that included his soon to be teammates, the likes David Bechkam, Ryan Giggs and more. Scholes turned professional in 1993 and a year later the world saw the rise of a legend. The start of a journey. Scholes scored twice in his debut against port vale, which resulted in a 2-1 victory in favor of united. Three days later, his league debut saw him score again, his first premier league goal against Ipswich town, but this time united lost 3–2.

In his first season for united, Scholes scored seven goals, which quickly doubled the very next season.In the 1995/96 season, the departure of Mark Hughes to Stanford Bridge quickly followed by the eight month suspension of Cantona over the famous Kung Fu incident, Scholes steeped in to be Andy Cole’s strike partner for the due course of Cantona’s suspension. He was now wearing number 22 on the back of his jersey, which changed from his previous 24. His new position positively increased his goals tally and medals too.

Two seasons down, and united won the double both times, the league and the FA cup. Silverware came naturally to United with the presence of Paul Scholes. In late 1997, Roy keane suffered a severe knee injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season and saw the true emergence of a future superstar.

Scholes moved to central midfield role for which he was tailor made. It was as if everything which was happening in his life was pre written and he knew each word of it. Another prominent change which happened to him that season was his shirt number, which turned to 18 now, which he had on for the next decade and a half to come.

Paul Scholes had everything fallen in place for him and things were becoming even better. The famous 1998/99 season was now awaiting and Scholes didn't disappoint. He played a pivotal role in this treble winning season for united. He scored eleven times, with the highlight of the year being the goal against Newcastle in the FA cup final which led united to victory.

But Scholes was suspended from the Champion’s league final, because of the yellow cards he picked in the semis. The following few seasons showed the world his true potential as a footballer, him scoring twenty in the 2002/03 season, his career best.

But every story has its downfall too. For Scholes this dark side of this journey started in 2005/06 campaign, when he was ruled out for the second half of the season. The reason was his blurred vision. He did made a comeback much earlier than expected but he played less matches and scored lesser goals. But the decrease in the goals did not made his presence diminish a bit.

Nine years later to United’s treble winning season, Scholes made a past mistake right. United made it to the Champion’s league finals, credits to a visually stunning Scholes twenty five yard goal against Barcelona in the second leg of the semifinals. And this time the ginger prince was a part of the eleven in the final. United ended up winning the final 6-5 on penalties to Chelsea and the redemption was now completed for this ginger prince.

The longevity of his career is a question without a perfect answer. The closest answer one can give is the way his game has changed over the due course of time. Be it any position, Andy Cole’s strike partner in his second season to the withdrawn striker behind Ruud van Nistlerooy years later. His favorite and most celebrated position as a central midfield to the deep lying playmaker in his latter phase of his career. He made every position in a football field his own, as if he has been playing there  all his life.

He announced his first retirement on 31^st May 2011, only to come back six month later. This was just a small yet effective indication of how much his absence was costing united. An injury crisis at the theatre of dreams made him return as a substitute against their noisy neighbor’s city in the FA cup. His second home coming as a player turned to be a success too.

In his last season for united Scholes played his 700^th game for united, making him the third in the list for most capped player for united behind Sir Bobby Charlton and Ryan Giggs. He also has a record of scoring in 19 consecutive Premier League season, second behind Ryan Giggs who has scored in 23.

Very few players get a happy ending in their career. As for this legend, the end was maybe not as romantic as his journey but it was a happy one indeed. United winning the premier league for the twentieth time, him collecting his eleventh league medal and just slipping under the radar with Sir Alex Ferguson’s farewell taking all the limelight. That is all this little lad from Salford ever asked for. Scholes hung up his shoes again and retired for the second time, this time ‘For good’.

So what would we remember Paul Scholes the player for? His simplicity off the pitch and his mastermind brilliance on a football field. Those never misplaced passes, his extraordinary sense of judgement in the goals scored. From the first debut goal back in 1994 to the goal in his 700^th match for the same club. From the famous Class of 92 to the treble winning team in 99. Every minute he played, every goal he scored it is truly justified to say that they all are a happy memory for decades to follow.

Paul Scholes is one of the most decorated English footballer of all time. No quote can describe this person in a correct way. But to borrow the words of one of the greatest footballers of all time,

‘’If he was playing with me, I would have scored so many more’’ – Pele.

RedBrothersUnited are Anand Sindhu, Pawan Sharma and Akshay Agarwal.