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Paul Scholes has named a Manchester United “flop” as the most talented footballer he played alongside during his illustrious career.
Scholes, one of the most gifted midfielders English football has ever produced, played with a host of world-class stars over the course of his glittering 20-year senior career.
Legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson famously named Scholes as one of the four truly world-class players he managed. Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo were the other three.
Fergie overlooked a host of wonderful players that he once had at his disposal, including Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
But there’s one player that Scholes puts above all of them in terms of pure natural ability.
Manchester United's 25 greatest players ever.
Manchester United's 25 greatest players ever.
Scholes on 'Most Talented' Footballer He Played With
Paul Scholes
Even Ferguson conceded that Juan Sebastian Veron was a Premier League flop, but the flashes of brilliance he showed at Old Trafford - particularly in the Champions League - left a lasting impression on those who played alongside him.
Speaking on his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Football, Scholes said when asked to name the most talented player he played with: “Veron. When you talk about naturally talented, his ability was unbelievable.”
Nicky Butt, another ex-United player, said: “I remember when we signed Veron, I was always probably third choice at Man Utd. Scholes and Keane were the main two and I’d play at certain times.
“I remember being on holiday, and I pick up the paper, [the headline is] ‘Veron’… I thought f*** me, I’m never going to play for Man United again.”
Scholes added: “I thought that as well.”
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Butt continued: “On his first game, I’ll never forget it, against Everton. I was suspended from the season before, so I was in the stands.
“Veron played and he was f****** unbelievable. He came off with 10 minutes left and got a round of applause. I was sinking in my chair going ‘this is me done’. But he was so good.”
Scholes said: “I think he probably was the most naturally talented player I played with.” Watch the clip below:
Veron: Great in Champions League, Struggled in Premier League
Juan Sebastian Veron | Manchester United
Juan Sebastian Veron lifting a Manchester United shirt with Sir Alex Ferguson
Veron became the most expensive player in British football history after completing his £28.1 million move from Italian side Lazio in the summer of 2001.
As Butt says, Veron enjoyed a dream start to life with the English giants, securing the Premier League Player of the Month award for August 2001.
While he produced some spectacular moments, including several stunning free-kicks, he often struggled to deal with the intensity of England’s top division.
Despite David Beckham’s departure to Real Madrid, a £15 million offer from Chelsea in the summer of 2003 proved too tempting for Ferguson and United to resist.
"Juan Veron was capable of exceptional football and was talented. But, at times, he found the Premiership a bit difficult," Ferguson said, per Sky Sports, at the time of the sale. "He was a European player and that was where we got our best form from him."