Assuming he appears against Portsmouth today, Paul Scholes will join a select band of players when he makes his 600th appearance for Manchester United.
If the 34-year-old does feature today, only Ryan Giggs, Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes will have played more games for the Red Devils - pretty impressive company.
Scholes was once described by former World Footballer of the Year Zinedine Zidane described as "the greatest midfielder of his generation", but has always gone about his business in a mild-mannered and unassuming approach that makes him endearing to his teammates.
Boasting an array of passing that threatens to outdo his menacing shooting technique and also bagging his fair share of headed goals Scholes is a master at all aspects of the game.
Current team-mate Rio Ferdinand gives an insight into Scholes the person and highlights his pinpoint passing accuracy.
"He'll do ridiculous things in training like say, 'you see that tree over there?' - It'll be 40 yards away - 'I'm going to hit it'. And he'll do it. Everyone at the club considers him the best".
Like all great players he always seems to have an abundance of time on the ball, spraying passes around the pitch at will and often dictating the tempo of a game. It's simple- when Scholes plays, Manchester United play.
However, Scholes' wider contribution to United stretches far wider than the number of appearances he has made and evidence of this can be found in the number of trophies he has won over the years.
Along with the Champions League success the veteran has amassed eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA World Club Cup.
Possibly the greatest accolade for any player is the praise and respect of your fellow professionals and Scholes has admirers across the globe with Ferguson hailing him as "one of the best football brains Manchester United has ever had."
Former team-mate of 11-years Roy Keane says, "(he is) an amazingly gifted player who remained an unaffected human being."
While Laurent Blanc adds, "I tell anyone who asks me - Scholes is the best English player."
But almost certainly the greatest tribute, and there are many, comes from United legend Bobby Charlton: "Many great players have worn this shirt of Manchester United. Players I worshipped, then lost with my youth in Munich. Players like Dennis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Alex Ferguson era. And in so many ways Scholes is my favourite."
Whether it be his flawless technique, his knack for scoring world-class goals, or his ability to carry his lunch pail in a blue-collar approach to his training and professionalism, Paul Scholes will be recognized today among the world's best.
No comments:
Post a Comment