The winner of 11 Premier League trophies, two Champions Leagues and two FA Cups, Paul Scholes is rightly regarded as one of the best midfielders to have ever graced the English game. A one club man, Scholes spent two decades with Manchester United, briefly retiring in May 2011 before returning to the game in January 2012 and retiring for good at the end of the 2012/13 campaign.
Scholes was an exquisite playmaker, known for being able to contribute massively in both attack and defence. A diminutive, tough-tackling player, Scholes’ discipline was often called into question, though that was perhaps the only aspect of his game that could have done with improving.
Paul Scholes' Career Stats
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The Mancunian midfielder made his debut for the England national side in 1997, earning his first call-up from then-manager Glenn Hoddle, who had taken the helm for his country in 1996 after managing Chelsea for three years.
Hoddle, who himself is best remembered as a player for his 12-year association with Tottenham Hotspur, once spoke about Scholes’ England debut, alongside Scholes himself, back in 2022 with TNT Sports and could only praise the Red Devils legend.
‘He Was Excellent’
Hoddle happily reflected on Scholes’ international debut
As aforementioned, Scholes’ England debut came under Hoddle’s management. The midfielder only spent seven years representing his country, retiring in 2004 to focus on his family and club commitments. In that time, however, Scholes appeared at two Euros and two World Cups, racking up over 60 caps for the Three Lions.
Reflecting on Scholes being called up to his national team for the first time, Hoddle said:
“As soon as I became England manager, he hadn’t been in the squad, but I earmarked him and (David Beckham) straight away. What I’d seen of him, he was top, top quality. He then continued that for the next 15 years, he had everything. I’ve gone on record, saying (Scholes was the best player I coached).
“He had one thing that I think he had to improve on, it wasn’t much really. I was trying to get him to stand on his feet, not see the red mist. You could see he wanted to win the ball, and he went in sometimes and I was thinking, ‘he’s going to get sent off.’ That’s the only problem he had as a player. If that’s your only weakness, then you’ve got a chance. He was excellent. His technique was second to none.”
Hoddle was ultimately sacked from his role in 1999 following controversial comments he made away from the pitch. While, in terms of win percentages, Hoddle is one of the best-ever England managers, his man management was certainly questionable, with his omission of Paul Gascoigne being a particular example of such behaviour.
Regardless, Hoddle oversaw the introduction of several players to the England fold, with Scholes and Beckham being the notable examples, two Manchester United legends who did all they could on international duty.
(All stats from Transfermarkt and are correct as of 02/04/2025 )
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