Fergie Has Never Had One Bid For Paul Scholes

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed he has never had a single enquiry for midfielder Paul Scholes during his time at the club.

Scholes is set to make his 600th outing against Portsmouth tonight, with only Bill Foulkes, Sir Bobby Charlton and Ryan Giggs having played more games.

Ferguson said: " We have never had one enquiry for Paul Scholes - because they all know he will never leave."

Scholes was born in Salford and grew up as an Oldham Athletic supporter, but has trained with Manchester United since the age of 14. He then later joined as a trainee upon leaving the Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School, Middleton, Greater Manchester in the summer of 1991. In his final term at school, he was selected to represent Great Britain National Schools in football.

Scholes was not a member of Manchester United's 1992 FA Youth Cup-winning squad that included future senior team mates David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, but he was part of the youth team that reached the final in the following season, alongside Phil Neville . Scholes turned professional on 23 July 1993, but did not make his breakthrough into the senior squad until the 1994–95 season, when he made seventeen league appearances and scored five goals. His debut came on 21 September 1994, where he scored twice in a 2–1 victory over Port Vale F.C. in the Football League Cup. Scholes came on as a substitute in the 1995 FA Cup final against Everton, which United lost 1–0.

In 1995–96, after Mark Hughes moved to Chelsea, Scholes had even more first-team opportunities. He stood in for the suspended Eric Cantona as Andrew Cole's strike partner for the first two months of the campaign. Scholes scored fourteen goals in all competitions as United became the first English team to win the double twice. He picked up another Premiership medal in 1996–97, but was restricted to three goals in sixteen league games.

Scholes moved to the midfielder and forward attack positions in the 1997–98 after Roy Keane suffered a knee injury in late September and did not play again that season. United finished the season without a major trophy, only the second time in the 1990s that this happened.

In 1998–99, Scholes was a key player in Manchester United's Premiership title, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League Treble success. He scored one of Manchester United's two goals against Newcastle in the FA Cup final. He also scored an away goal against Internazionale in the CL quarter-final, but was ruled out of the final victory over FC Bayern Munich through suspension.

Scholes netted a career-high twenty goals in all competitions in the 2002–03 season, a number that dipped to fourteen the next year, despite a career-best four FA Cup goals in comparison to his total of five in his first nine seasons. He was ruled out for the second half of the 2005–06 campaign with blurred vision. The cause of this was initially uncertain, sparking fears that it could end his career. He overcame this problem through the beginning of the year and he appeared in Manchester United's final game of the season against Charlton Athletic. Reportedly, Scholes' vision has not completely recovered.

On 22 October 2006, in the 2–0 Premiership victory over Liverpool in which Scholes also scored, twelve years after marking his Red Devils debut with a League Cup brace against Port Vale, Scholes became the ninth United player to play in five hundred matches, joining Sir Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Denis Irwin, and current teammates Giggs and Gary Neville.

Scholes was dismissed during Manchester United's 1–0 away victory over Liverpool F.C. on 3 March 2007, for swinging an arm at Xabi Alonso. It marked his first league expulsion since April 2005. A month later, he was sent off in the first leg of Manchester United's Champions League quarter final at A.S. Roma. On 23 August, he was shortlisted for a spot in the National Football Museum Hall of Fame, which ultimately went to Dennis Bergkamp.

Scholes suffered knee ligament damage during a training session the night before Manchester United's Champions League Group F matchup with Dynamo Kiev on 23 October, and was out of action until the end of January 2008. He returned as a substitute in Manchester United's 3–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup. On 23 April, Scholes made his hundredth Champions League appearance in a semi-final 0–0 draw at FC Barcelona, and scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory in the second leg that sent United into the final, during which he suffered an injury and a yellow card after a clash with Claude Makélélé. He returned until he was substituted by Giggs in the 87th minute, and did not take part in the penalty shoot-out that was won 6–5 by United after a 1–1 extra-time draw.

Scholes was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in September 2008. In a December 2008 interview with The Daily Mirror, he said he planned to retire from football completely in two years. "I think I've got two years left at the most. I'm looking forward to finishing and everything that goes with it."

On 24 January 2009, Scholes scored his first goal of the season against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. His shot from out-side the box in the 34th minute deflected in off Tom Huddlestone to bring the game to 1–1, while United would go on to win 2–1. On 18 February, Scholes scored his first Premier League goal in over a year in a 3–0 win over Fulham, a swerving volley that hit Mark Schwarzer and rebounded in.

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Manchester United Are So Proud Of Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes is a very unassuming guy, quiet, seemingly timid and a credit to himself and Manchester United. I have often asked people for one example of when he was in the newspapers for anything untoward, or anything that was anything but good. No one has ever come up with anything Scholesy can ever be criticised for. I will never forget an interview he once gave when the interviewer asked him what his life was like as a top player at THE top club. He replied, "I get up, I go to work, I finish work, I shower, I go home". That says it all.

However, there is currently plenty of talking going on about the Salford-born former England international, with Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov hailing the unassuming Scholes' contributions to what could be an almost incredible season for the Red Devils.

Now Sir Alex Ferguson has chosen to add his voice to the praise flowing in Scholes' direction by expressing his pride in the midfielder's continuing excellence.

Scholes scored another one of his trademark 25 yard blistering volleys last night against Fulham.

Talking to the Manchester Evening News Fergie said: "Paul tries that in training every day. He usually tries to hit me, he was fantastic. Some of his switches of play were magnificent. These lads are great examples to young players in how they live their life. They have kept their ambition, which is important. We are delighted with their performance and are so proud to have them here."

Fergie is also hinting that Chelsea's title challenge was finished now, although he has not directly come out and written them off 100%.

"You can never be dead sure, but it is fair to say Chelsea have an uphill fight now, things can happen. We were 12 points clear of Arsenal in 1998 but we got a lot of injuries and lost the league. Now we can cope with it, like we have done in the last few weeks. That is the change at this club. We have such a big squad we can make changes.".....Back To Home Page...

Paul Scholes Accepts His Manchester United Career Is Coming To An End

Paul Scholes says his desire to win things for Manchester United is as strong as ever.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror he said: "My desire to win more trophies is still strong, Manchester United is a massive club that demands that you win things. If you are just happy to go along and not earn medals there is no point in you being here.

"We are almost at the end of January now and in a great position to be successful this season. Hopefully we can see it through."

"As you get older, you don't play as often which is the manager's way of looking after you and getting the best out of you. I don't go forward or score goals like I used to or would like to. We probably saw the end of those bursts into the penalty area about two years ago. It is just one of those things and something you have to accept. I know the end is not too far away for me but as long as I am here I will just try my best to help the team in whatever way I can."

What a great attitude, what a great player, what a great role model, what a GREAT MAN !!

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Spurs Are Sunk By An Old Pal: Manchester United In The Fifth Round Of The Cup

Manchester United knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup albeit by only two goals to one. But to be honest United outplayed them for long periods of time during the whole match.

Goal number one would have been a spectacular effort by Paul Scholes but as it took a deflection from Huddlestone it was marked down as an own goal. Then Carrick played a superb through ball to Berbatov who took it superbly with one touch and fired it home for United's second goal in 90 seconds after Pavlyuchenko had given Spurs a one goal lead after just four minutes.

So, a victory for United and they march onto the fifth round.

For me though, I was particularly impressed with two guys today and they share man of the match in my opinion. First was 17 year old Danny Welbeck. He was amazing. Every pass that was launched at him, he casually brought it under control and played the ball simply and acurately all afternoon. His raw talent is amazing. Even if Scholes fired on of his masterful 60 yard cross field passes to him, Welbeck just seems to stick his foot out and the ball sticks to it. He is also capable of making strong runs into the box and getting the defenders in a right frenzy.

Second man of the match is Carlos Tevez. What can I say about this guy. Along with Ji Sung Park he must be one of the most hard working guys you will ever lay your eyes on in the Premier League. Today he covered a monstrous 15.2 km or ten miles !!! Yes that's right, TEN MILES !!! Considering most of it is in fast bursts of acceleration followed by a slow jog then springting he must be immensely fit to do this. Strong - he is as strong as on ox and today he showed us what hard work is all about.

Manchester United reach the fifth roud but I was more impressed with Welbeck and tevez. Absolutely fantastic performances.....Back To Home Page...

Rafael Da Silva Must Think Christmas Has Come Early

Rafael da Silva (one of the two in the picture, left, I hope Fergie can tell them apart) must think Christmas has come early for him !! He could be about to get an extended run in the Manchester United team after Wes Brown underwent surgery on an ankle injury. Add to this the injury to Gary Neville and the fact that he has made an immediate impact with Sir Alex, then the future looks rosy for Rafael.

Joining Wes Brown on the sidelines is Dimitar Berbatov, who strained his thigh in Bulgaria's recent 6-2 drubbing at the hands of Nemanja Vidic's Serbia. It looks like Berba will be out for 10 days missing three games so it's not too bad.

Also on the list of absentees are Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Gary Neville......
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Arsenal 'v' Manchester United Team News

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes could be back in action for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan next month. Scholes was ruled out for 10 weeks when he suffered knee ligament damage against Aalborg in September but has returned to light training and could potentially make his comeback against Tottenham on December 13 before flying to the Far East.

The former England star joins another long-term absentee Owen Hargreaves on the sidelines for the trip to Arsenal, while Wes Brown has also been ruled out for another week as he rests an ankle problem. Darren Fletcher (knee) is a doubt but captain Gary Neville is fit.

Arsenal forward Robin van Persie is suspended. Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) will miss out, along with long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo. Late checks will be made on Mikael Silvestre (nose), William Gallas (hamstring), Bacary Sagna (ankle) and Theo Walcott (shoulder).

Teams:

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Fabianski, Diaby, Sagna, Fabregas, Toure, Nasri, Gallas, Vela, Walcott, Denilson, Ramsey, Song, Silvestre, Wilshere, Gibbs, Djourou, Clichy, Bendtner.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Gibson, Possebon, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez......Back To Home Page

Nemanja Vidic Talks About Wayne Rooney And Sir Alex Ferguson

Not many players can worry Manchester United's rock solid, hard as nails defender Nemanja Vidic.

He is part of the formidable barrier in front of Edwin Van der Sar that took Manchester United to last season’s Double glory, the Serb is rarely fazed, but towards the end of training at Carrington, the one thing Vidic does not want to hear is a Scottish accent pointing to the other end of the pitch and saying:

“Wayne, you can play for that side.”

Vidic is used to lining up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney and aware of what they bring to the team. When his limbs are begging for mercy, though, the last thing he needs is a Scouse inquisition.

“It’s hard to play against all of them, of course, and I wouldn’t like to single one out, but if you get to the end of a session and are feeling tired, you really don’t want to have to play against Rooney. Rooney is always running, trying to find the space and score. He never stops, which you don’t need. Tevez is similar. This is their game, how they play and it’s maybe harder to have to play against Rooney or Tevez than any of the others, because of their energy. That isn’t all they have but they’re energy players who work so hard. It’s their game and they can’t change in training.”

Vidic feels the other Premier League defenders who only have to take on Rooney and Co twice a season should count their lucky stars they are not in his boots, but then again, the damage Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo have wrought on opposing defences in a six-match winning run which has brought 17 goals, which had a slight hiccup at the weekend, and a new sense of purpose to Old Trafford is an even bigger reason for Vidic to grin.

“We didn’t start well in the first few games and when you don’t have a good start you worry about what might happen. You begin to think, ‘If we lose one more game we could be out of the Premier League’. It’s something at the back of your mind and you feel the pressure. When you have that you get worried about what you might do in a game. But when you start to win, that brings the confidence back and when you are winning and scoring goals, like we are now, the confidence starts to flow. We’ve started to look like a team again, compact and with the right shape. I feel we’ve definitely got more now than last season. I believe we can be better but we can only show that on the pitch. Then you will see how much we improve, and at the end of the season, we can say we did. We haven’t changed our style but he gives us something we didn’t have last season,” suggested Vidic – is the sheer intensity that still comes from the man who has created the modern United in his own image.

After 22 years at the club, Sir Alex Ferguson shows no signs of wanting to quit yet. And Vidic sees only that fiery determination to be the best once again.

“The gaffer is the man who knows how to speak to players and give them confidence, to know he believes in them as players. He is the man who set up the club in that way, that desire to win and he expects his players to play every game 100 per cent to win. But I can see that in the squad, too, in Scholesy, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs. They have played more than 15 years at United and you can still see the same desire in their eyes, all the time, even in training, desperate to win every game we play at Carrington. This is what makes United and it comes from the manager, who gives it to the players. Giggsy, Scholesy and Gary make sure we follow what they have done, so we all know we have to live up to the past of the club. Here it’s all about the next challenge. No matter what we’ve done, no matter how big the game we’ve won, the boss just says we can celebrate what we’ve done to win a trophy. But the next day, it’s over, forgotten. It’s all about the next one. We have to put the past away and concentrate on the future.” .....Back To Home Page