Paul Scholes has claimed that certain England team-mates used to pester him to put a good word in to Sir Alex Ferguson when he was on international duty - a move that left him fuming
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes(Image: Getty Images)
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Paul Scholes has called out certain former England team-mates for using international duty to try and wangle a move to Manchester United.
The Salford-born midfielder spent the entirety of his professional football career at Old Trafford, barring two appearances for Royton Town in 2018, and will be remembered as one of the club's greatest ever talents. Under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson, Scholes managed to clinch 11 Premier League titles, 10 domestic cups and a pair of Champions League trophies.
Meanwhile, he managed to rack up 66 caps for England as part of his nation's 'Golden Generation' alongside fellow United players like Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand, to name a few. However, holding such a revered relationship with Ferguson, and being a part of the biggest and most successful club in the world at the time came at a cost.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad, and The Football with Paddy McGuinness and former team-mate Nicky Butt, Scholes said: "Do you know what I found with England all the time?
"Someone always used to pull you to say, ‘Tell your gaffer I want to come and sign for you.’ ‘F*** off. You're here to play for England.' You know what I mean?
“They were obsessed. I always found the lads who weren't at big clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, United...I always felt they used England as a bit of a way to get a move to a big club."
Scholes managed 155 goals and 82 assists in 716 games for United before retiring in May 2013, around the same time that Ferguson's 27-year tenure with the club came to a close.
Paul Scholes challenges for the ball
Paul Scholes made 66 appearances for England
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It comes as the Premier League sees its second international break of the season, with a number of stars from clubs across Europe linking up under Thomas Tuchel for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
England are set to face Wales in an international friendly at Wembley on Thursday, October 9, before heading to Riga's Daugava Stadium to face Latvia to cement their place at next year's World Cup.
With just three games left to play, the Three Lions are currently at the top of Group K after five wins from as many outings, seven points clear of second-place Albania. As a result, England need just two more wins to officially make the cut for the tournament.
However, qualification could come even sooner, depending on how third-place Serbia fare in their next two games. The nation face qualifiers against Albania and Andorra this month, and should they drop points in either match, England will be uncatchable and therefore qualify.
Serbia face two qualifiers in October, against Albania and Andorra, and should they drop points in either of those two games, England’s passage to next summer’s tournament will be sealed.
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