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Exclusive Paul Scholes interview in full
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has announced his retirement at the age of 36, with immediate effect.
Scholes made his United debut in 1994, making 676 appearances, and will now join the club’s coaching staff.
“This was not a decision I’ve taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing,” he said.
“Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role,” added manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The famously low key Scholes stated: “I am not a man of many words but 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.”
Scholes was part of United’s Class of 92, which also produced David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville – another player who ended his United career this season.
United chief executive David Gill said Scholes had “established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the United shirt”.
During his career, Scholes won 10 Premier League titles and was a member of the team that triumphed in the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea.
He was suspended for the 1999 final win over Bayern Munich and Saturday’s defeat against Barcelona at Wembley was the last game of his career.
He also won 66 England caps before retiring from international football following the Euro 2004 tournament, aged only 29, but coach Fabio Capello tried to tempt him to change his mind for last summer’s World Cup.
Scholes said he would have considered a U-turn but was not given enough time to make up his mind.
Originally posted here:
Man Utd veteran Scholes retires