So then, Scholesy has called it a day. It didn't come as any great surprise.
In typical style, the 'Ginger Prince' kept his council and ignored the never ending media speculation about his future in those final few weeks of the season.
United wrapped up the Premier League title and then took on mighty Barcelona at Wembley in the Champions League final, for what would be Paul's last competitive game in a United shirt. Next came the open top team bus parade around the streets of Manchester, but still Scholes said nothing about his future. Only then, when all the fuss had died down did news filter through that the little man from Middleton had called time on what has been a glittering career. How typical of Scholes to bow out in this way with no media fanfare.
Scholes will be remembered for many things; his brilliant football brain, his ability to score goals and create them for others, but he won't be remembered for his tackling ability because that was pretty much the only football art he failed to master.
Fergie wanted Scholes to carry on for one more season and you do wonder if there will be any regrets in the coming weeks.
One thing is for certain replacing Scholes is going to be a costly exercise with talk of United having to battle it out with moneybags Man City for the services of Wesley Sneijder. United are also being strongly linked to Luka Modric at Spurs with speculation claiming that a £20m plus move is in the offing. Reading between the lines, it seems that the Croatian could be Fergie's backup plan should the United manager lose out on Sneijder who has been making noises about staying with Inter Milan.
I think one departing midfielder that has not been mentioned much is Hargreaves, which is of course not surprising given how little he has played. However, I don't think it is a coincident that the year he played was the year we won the Champions League. He was a good holding player who can actually start a decent attack after interception: perhaps a better version of Carrick/Fletcher. Plus the bonus freekick skills.
ReplyDeleteI think a replacement for Hargreaves is much needed in addition to Scholes.
Your comment above is correct about hargreaves being in our team when we won the champions league but it wasn't in a fletcher/carrick role but on the right wing. We still would have lost to barca with or without hargreaves imo.
ReplyDeleteIf you think United would get Modric for £20 million you have your head in the clouds. That was an article in the Sun to put it is context, the nations favourite comic.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Man United will ever see the likes of Giggs and Scholes again; hardworking players who started and finished their careers with the club, and who really can't be easily replaced.
ReplyDeleteWhen Giggs goes at the end of next season, it will truly be the end of an era, and I'll be as saddened as I was when the Palli/Bruce/Irwin triumvirate disappeared...
http://manchesterunitedwebsite.blogspot.com/ welcome and visit manchester united blog...
ReplyDeleteDe Gea
ReplyDeletePhil Jones
Ashley Young
i love the Ashley Young signing. I know we needed a keeper but i think we should have gone with someone about 24-27 so they have more match experience, but then again there are a lot of younger keepers in pl now so im happy with De Gea.
TBH i just dont understand the Phil jones one (think hes a good player but we have loads of defenders) i think we need centre midfeilders (creative and defencive CM) not defenders.
i would like to see
modric (maybe to expensive)
Sneider (new Contract)
Fabregas (arsenal rivals)
Nasri (" ")
diarra (good target)
alcazara (spain u21 (or whatever his name is) looks good
scott parker i think would be a bargain