Scholes
has proved that you don't have to be flash to be a legend in the
Premiership
Asked during a rare media appearance this season whether he thought
he was playing some of the best football of his career, Paul
Scholes looked a little bemused and said: "No. How can I think that
when I am not scoring enough goals?"
After a Christmas and New Year period that has seen him contribute
three times to bring his mid-term total to five the 32-year-old
may now wish to reconsider, although that is unlikely.
One of footballs most modest, unassuming men, Scholes hates being
talked about only slightly less than he likes talking about
himself. So the Manchester United midfielder is unlikely to be
adding to a debate that suggests he is, indeed, back to his very
best.
Scholes said recently: "I just dont really like talking about
myself or being talked about. I would rather people talked about
something else. Its nice, I suppose, but if I am honest, I would
rather not be spoken about." Scholes dilemma is clear. Those who
do not wish to come under the spotlight do not usually spend a
decade at the worlds most famous football club.
His comfortable but under-stated house near Lancashires
Saddleworth moors and his family Audi saloon car may reflect a
longing for anonymity, but the former England stars desire to be
the Premierships invisible man has been undermined by the renewed
brilliance of his football.
This time last year, Scholes was closer than he surely would have
wished to a permanent residence in lifes quiet zone. Hampered by
poor form and Sir Alex Fergusons peculiar tactics, an eye
condition then condemned him to a seven month lay off. With United
paying £18million for Michael Carrick in the summer and chasing
Bayern Munichs Owen Hargreaves, his future appeared as hazy as his
vision. It all goes to make Scholes impact this season little less
than astonishing.
Cristiano Ronaldo may rightly lay claim to being Uniteds player of
the season so far, while defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic
have also been integral to the resurgence of Fergusons team.
Scholes, though, has been right at the heart of it, too.
Overshadowing the developing Carrick, Scholes has offered a brand
of intelligent, intuitive football unlike anything he had produced
since scoring 14 goals in Uniteds Premiership winning campaign of
2002-2003.
Paddy Crerand, a member of Uniteds 1968 European Cup winning side
and a summariser for the clubs MUTV station, said: "Pauls form
this season has been exceptional and I think he is back to his very
best. He has played the kind of football that we have not seen from
him for quite a while and he has been an inspiration. It has always
been the case that when Paul plays well, United play well and that
is how it has been this season."
Ferguson once described Scholes as one of the best football brains
United have ever had but, for two seasons prior to this, he
appeared to have lost some of his sharpness. The managers
reluctance to offer Scholes his favoured slot in the centre of
midfield certainly affected the side, as United flooded that area
with players not fit to lace the boots of a man listed among the
clubs top 10 players in the recently-published Opus.
For all his natural talent, Scholes could not have his desired
impact on games from the left or right of midfield. He certainly
couldnt do it from the bench. Yet, such has been his return to
form this season, Scholes has already rejected two requests from
England coach Steve McClaren to return to the international stage
he left after Euro 2004.
Travelling the world in search of footballing glory is, he said
recently, no longer a priority. An Oldham fan as a boy former Old
Trafford and Boundary Park striker Andy Ritchie was his hero it
might suit Scholes if United played their home games away from the
glare of big city Manchester.
But what remains uppermost in his mind is the reclaiming of the
Premiership trophy and another tilt at the Champions League.
Much has been made of Roy Keanes absence from the 1999 final in
Barcelona, but Scholes missed out, too. As uncomfortable in his
grey club suit that night as Keane was in his, Scholes is driven by
the desire to represent United on club footballs grandest stage.
He has been at the forefront of Uniteds return to eminence and
there would be no more popular contender for the PFA player of the
year award.
Just dont expect him to make an acceptance speech.
