Scholes was a lethal combination of ferocity and talent

Accident and Emergency departments in hospitals up and down the country can rest easy. Paul Scholes won't be tackling any more.

Scholesy was a ferocious tackler, who left the bruises to prove it, but he was a player with the gift of a beautiful range of passing too. He was the complete midfielder.

Now he is calling it a day. It was fitting that his last appearance was in the company of Xavi and Iniesta as a substitute at Wembley last Saturday night.

Ferocious: Paul Scholes (right) liked to 'leave his mark' on players

At his best, Scholes would not have looked out of place in the Barcelona passing machine, trading the ball with them.

His passing and his tackling were only two of his qualities. He was an all-action, highly skilled opponent and team-mate.

Winning 10 league titles is not a bad way to go, is it? He must feel he can't play at his peak any more and we know he's not one to make a fuss.

That was his way.

It was a pleasure for me to play with him for England, but it wasn't a pleasure to play against him. As his team-mate, you always felt you could trust him with the ball. Give it to him and he would invariably give it back.

I especially remember his two goals for England against Scotland at Hampden Park in the play-off for Euro 2000. The Scottish crowd were hostile, but they left talking about 'the wee man with the ginger hair'.

Old rivals: Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp (left) tries to tackle Scholes

As an opponent, he left a few bruises and stud marks by, as he would put it, 'leaving something on' me. I would look at him after and wonder if he meant it - but I knew he did.

People questioned his tackling, doubted his timing, but he was a terrific tackler who meant to leave his foot in. He wanted you to know he was there, although it brought him almost as many red cards as trophies.

He had many good habits too, like passing to a team-mate and scoring important goals. He seemed to save up his best ones against Liverpool and often late in the game.

As well as his passing, both short range and long range, he would intercept the ball too. He was also a master volleyer.

I was surprised at the timing of his announcement. I mentioned in my column two weeks ago that it might happen, but I still hoped we would get one more season out of the player Rio Ferdinand called 'Sat Nav', because he could always find a team-mate.

Talent: Scholes scores a trademark stunner against Barcelona in 2008

He's up there with the top midfielders of the Premier League era, along with Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Patrick Vieira.

I will especially miss his drilled daisycutter passes, where he would open his body and switch the play with phenomenal accuracy.

In Xavi's interview in Sportsmail earlier this season, he said Scholes was a pass master who would have been appreciated more if he were born in Spain.

I'm not sure about that. Take it from me, he was appreciated here. I'm sorry he won't be rampaging about central midfield any longer. It has been a joy to watch him.

Rated by the greats: Football's elite give their verdict on Paul Scholes

As Paul Scholes draws the curtain on a sensational career that included 24 trophies at Manchester United, Sportsmail looks at what the great players and managers have said about the ginger genius...

David Beckham 

'He's always one of those people others talk about. At Real Madrid, the players always said to me 'what's he like?' They respect him.'

'Respect': David Beckham (left) said players at Real Madrid were in awe of Paul Scholes (right)

Laurent Blanc 

'I tell anyone who asks me - Scholes is the best English player.'

 

Edgar Davids 

'I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is. Every one of us (midfielders) is just trying to become as good as him.'

 

Cesc Fabregas 

'He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League.'

 

Thierry Henry

'Every time we used to play against Manchester United, we always used to be scared of Paul Scholes. His vision, the way he sees the game, his goals ratio... he has indestructible mental strength and he is a genuine competitor.'

'Scared': Thierry Henry (right) says Arsenal admired Scholes more than any other Man United player

Glenn Hoddle 

'There isn't a player of his mould anywhere else in the world.'

 

Kevin Keegan 

'He is different to anything else in English football.'

 

Marcello Lippi 

'Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team.'

 

Wayne Rooney 

'He'll be missed greatly. He's the best I've played with and against. He's only small but it's so difficult to get the ball off him.'

 

Alan Shearer

'If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many will pick Paul Scholes. He can tackle and his passing and shooting is of the highest level. He's the most consistent and naturally gifted player we've had for a long time.'

'Naturally gifted': Alan Shearer (right) was full of praise for Scholes

Socrates 

'I love to watch Scholes, to see him pass, the boy with the red hair and the red shirt. Good enough for Brazil.'

 

Terry Venables 

'He's the best one or two-touch passer in the country. He sees the game unlike any other.'

 

Patrick Vieira 

'The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy - Scholes.'

 

Zinedine Zidane 

'Undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation. He's almost untouchable in what he does. He makes the game look easy because he has so much natural ability.'

Going nowhere! Redknapp will block bids for Spurs stars Modric and Bale

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has reiterated his stance that none of the club's top players will be sold this summer.

Luka Modric was the latest Spurs player to be linked with a move from White Hart Lane this morning, with Manchester United reportedly ready to part with around £25million transfer for the Croatian midfielder, who has enjoyed a brilliant season at the London club.

The retirement of Paul Scholes means United are on the lookout for a replacement and although Modric insists he is happy at his current club, Sir Alex Ferguson could offer the midfielder Champions League football, and Tottenham can not.

Hands off: Tottenham boss will refuse t sell Luka Modric to Manchester United or any other suitors this summer

Redknapp, who took Spurs to the Champions League quarter-finals last season, is determined to hang on to his most prized assets, however, and has warned that selling such players as Modric would undermine his long-term project of making the club top four regulars.

Redknapp said: 'All of our key players are under contract.

'The chairman and I have discussed this and we have no intention of selling any of them.

'They are at a top club and we are looking to improve the squad in the summer, not weaken it, in order to push for a Champions League place again next season.'

Despite Bale's outstanding at home and in Europe, Modric was arguably Tottenham's best player last year.

The 25-year-old, who signed from Dynamo Zagreb in 2008, scored only four goals in the campaign, but his tireless work in the centre of the park and his creativity would make him a plausible option for United after Scholes' retirement.

Not heading off: Redknapp will also block any bids for in-demand Gareth Bale

The midfielder told a Croatian newspaper Jutarnji List today that he was happy at Spurs, but admitted he would leave the club so long as they were happy to let him go.

Speaking before Croatia's Euro 2012 qualifier against Georgia, Modric said: 'Everybody wants to know what will happen with me.

'I'm trying to stay calm as my national team has a really important match coming.

'So I will tell you the same as all ways - my club status is the same as it was before.

'But of course, if an offer comes which is good for Tottenham and for me also, then a transfer is of course possible.

'That doesn't mean that I'm bothered with leaving Tottenham. I'm not thinking about that every hour and every minute.

'I'm happy at White Hart Lane - my status is great, the fans like me and I do have everything I need.

Calling the shots: Redknapp does not want to part with his best players this summer 

'But then again, when you experience playing in Champions League, you want to keep playing in this tournament.'

Spurs embarked upon a policy of tying their stars down on long-term deals last year.

Bale signed a new four-and-a-half year contract in March and Modric committed himself to the club by penning a six-year deal towards the end of last season.

Modric has insisted before this year that he is happy at Spurs and he is adamant that he would only leave if the club shifted their policy and said they were interested in selling him.

Redknapp is also in talks with Jonathan Woodgate over the possibility of offering the injury-plagued defender a pay-as-you-play contract.

The former Leeds defender, who has been troubled by a spate of injuries during his time at White Hart Lane, is the only senior player out of contract at the club this summer.

Modric puts Man United on alert as Spurs star admits he'll miss Champions League

Luka Modric has put Manchester United on alert after the Tottenham star admitted he will greatly miss playing Champions League football next season.

The Croatia international concedes no move is in place at the moment, but if Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already expressed his admiration for the playmaker revealing just weeks ago that he would have been his choice for Player of the Year.

Modric has been in stunning form for Spurs since his £16million switch from Dynamo Zagreb with the midfielder, who rarely shuns his defensive duties, attracting of host of top European suitors.

Switching allegiances? Modric is open to a move to Old Trafford

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could now ramp up his interest in the 25-year-old following the Champions League final humiliation at the hands of Barcelona and he believes the diminutive midfielder is just the player the clubs needs to help build the next generation.

Speaking while on international duty with Croatia, Modric said: 'I will tell you the same as all ways - my club status is the same as it was before.

'But of course, if there will be an offer which will be good for Tottenham and for me also, then a transfer is of course possible.

Here's what you could have won: United can lure players with the promise of silverware and Spurs fans will worry that one player's departure could open the floodgates

'That doesn't mean that I'm bothered with leaving Tottenham - I'm not thinking about that every hour and every minute. I'm happy at White Hart Lane - my status is great, the fans like me and I do have everything I need.

'But then again - when you experience playing in Champions League, you want to keep playing in this tournament.'

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has repeatedly stated that the north London club will not be selling any of their top star this summer, but a big money offer for Modric could proove too difficult to resist.

Young calms United transfer talk to concentrate on England's Euro 2012 qualifier

Ashley Young is putting all talk of his own future on hold until after England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland at Wembley on Saturday.

Young has only 12 months remaining of his current contract at Aston Villa and is being strongly linked with a move to Manchester United.

But the former Watford player is determined to look no further than the clash with the Swiss as he strives to cement a place in Fabio Capello's starting line-up.

Playing it cool: Young would rather focus on international duty than a possible move to Old Trafford

Young said: 'To be honest, I've said I'll speak to the manager (Gerard Houllier) and chairman (Randy Lerner) at the end of the season.

'I've got to concentrate on this game and then we'll see what happens regarding talking to them after this game.'

Young has refused to sign an improved or extended contract and is almost certain leave Villa for around £15million. But in the short term he is hoping to build on his impressive performances for his country against Denmark, Wales and Ghana.

Young scored the winner against Denmark and set up three goals against Wales and Ghana when part of the starting line-up.

He said: 'The game against Denmark was one of my best for England and to get on the scoresheet and get the winner was an added bonus.

All smiles: England can continue their unbeaten run in the qualifiers against Switzerland

'I feel, with the last two games I've started, I've done really well and hopefully, when it comes to Saturday's game, I will have done enough to get into the starting line-up.

'It is always an honour to get into the England squad and I'm now starting to establish myself more in the squad and we've had positive results in these last two games.

'I think I'm giving the manager a lot more to think about with my performances. When you are in the team as a winger, you are there to create goals or score them yourself.'

Young feels comfortable in the 4-3-3 formation being preferred by Capello.

He said: 'I think it has worked really well. The interchanging between the midfielders and the front three was excellent, especially against Wales. It is a system which has a lot of pluses to it.'

Who's missing? Capello looks short of a player or two... as Crouch and co make their way to training

The opportunity could be there for Young to switch back to the second striker role in which he excelled against Denmark as Wayne Rooney is suspended for the Switzerland game.

Young said: 'Wazza is a great loss but we have a lot of players in the squad that can come in and play in that position.

'I'm sure the boys are raring to go and looking for the chance to get into the team. There are a lot of players fighting for positions.'

England need to overcome the Swiss to keep on course for the Euro 2012 finals.

Young said: 'If we build on the last two games, I'm sure we will be able to get the three points. We want to keep the good form going of late and put in a good performance for England before going away for the summer.' 

Handball! The England players go through their drills in training at London Colney

Modric, Sneijder, Rodwell... who can fill the void left by United legend Scholes?

It came as little surprise to anyone when Paul Scholes joined fellow Manchester United veterans Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar by announcing his retirement this year.

The midfielder enjoyed 17 years in the United first-team and the search to find a replacement for him at Old Trafford is going to be a key area for the club in the transfer market this summer.

Filling the 36-year-old’s-boots is a near enough impossible task for any midfielder, but Sportsmail looks at five stars that Sir Alex Ferguson may feel are up to the difficult task.

Closing curtain: Scholes made his final appearance for United in their Champions League final defeat to Barcelona

Wesley Sneijder
 

If anyone needs reminding, Sneijder played a crucial role in dragging Holland to the World Cup final last year, displaying all the skills needed to star in a top team.

Cutting an inspirational figure on the field, he shone in the quarter-final against Brazil where he helped his unfavoured side come from a goal down by scoring twice in a 2-1 victory.

He will be Ferguson’s No 1 target, but Inter Milan can match United’s offer of being title contenders as well as Champions League ones and the 26-year-old has made it clear that he is not looking to leave the San Siro.

Value: £35million

 

Luka Modric
 

Forget Gareth Bale or Rafael van der Vaart, Modric has been the real star of the show at White Hart Lane this season, providing the main focal point of Tottenham’s attack.

Modric has again been a standout performer for Tottenham

The 25-year-old’s eye for a pass is incredible and like Scholes, is capable of finding the net whether it’s inside or outside the box. A deal for the midfielder cannot be ruled out given the transfer history between the sides.

Spurs have gathered a reputation of being Manchester United’s feeder club over the last few years, with star players such as Teddy Sheringham, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov all being sold to the Red Devils – no matter how much the north London club resisted.

Value: £25million

 

Daniele De Rossi
 

An experienced Italian international, De Rossi has been at Roma for over 10 years where he has developed into a star for both club and country.

De Rossi (left) and Sneijder (right) are both under consideration by Ferguson

The 2009 Italian footballer of the year has been limited to just two Italian Cup wins during his time in Serie A and at 27-years-old is at the peak of his career.

Naturally he features more as a holding midfielder but can play in a box-to-box manner and is known to chip in with a few goals. With Roma playing Europa League football next term, Fergie can dangle the Champions League carrot.

Value: £25million

 

Jack Rodwell
 

Does not play as advanced up the field as Scholes once did, but he is more masterful in the art of tackling.

The 20-year-old is still finding his feet in the game but the Everton midfielder is one of England’s brightest talents.

Ferguson famously took Rooney from Everton to United and might return for Rodwell

Although not a direct replacement he would help plug a gap in the midfield that was left brutally exposed against Barcelona in the Champions League final.

Having established himself as a first-team player at Goodison Park, Rodwell will be reluctant to move to Old Trafford if he is not given a starting role. Such is his value already, current boss David Moyes has already stuck a high price tag on him.

Value: £20million

 

Mario Gotze

Germany seems to be bursting at the seams with young talent but after missing out on Mesut Ozil last summer, Ferguson may turn his attention to the latest ‘wunderkind’ Gotze.

A catalyst in Borussia Dortmund’s surprise Bundesliga success, United scouts have been monitoring the 18-year-old for a number of months and he fits as a like-for-like replacement for Scholes.

Wayne Rooney is a fine example of Ferguson gambling big money on a teenager. If the talent is there, United will not shy away from trying to strike a deal with the German side who may reluctantly fold should a big money offer come in for their latest star.

Value: £15million 

ARE THE KIDS ALRIGHT?

Scholes was a product of United’s famous youth academy, here's how the latest starlets waiting to replace the United legend fare.

Darron Gibson, 23
Has had enough first-team chances to fill Scholes’ boots but lacks the all-round game to make it at Old Trafford.

Tom Cleverley, 21
Done his career no harm by holding his own in the Premier League on loan to Wigan last term.

Paul Pogba, 18
Yet to make his United first-team debut, he is famed for an incredible strike as well as his strength and dribbling.

Rooney: Messi is the best... but Barca superstar would struggle in Premier League

Wayne Rooney has revealed he is still reeling from the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, but has claimed it would be difficult for Lionel Messi to have the same devastating impact if he played in the Premier League.

Rooney joined talkSPORT pundits Richard Keys and Andy Gray while his England team-mates trained ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland - a game the Manchester United forward will miss through suspension.

He agreed with Sir Alex Ferguson that Pep Guardiola's side is the best he's ever encountered, but believes Messi would need the support of the Barcelona midfield to prosper in England.

Radio rental: Rooney joins Gray and Keys in the talkSPORT studio

Asked if Messi could dictate games in the England as he does in Spain, Rooney said: 'If you bring Xavi and Iniesta with him, yes. But it would be difficult, almost impossible for him to play as he does in Spain.

'The game is more physical here, going to the likes of Birmingham and Stoke away is very demanding. Cristiano Ronaldo is more suited to the English game than Messi. Cristiano is taller and good in the air.'

Joy and pain: Rooney celebrates his goal but faces defeat at full time

On defeat in the showpiece Wembley final Rooney said: 'It hurt. I watched the game again because you can always learn by watching football. It was very disappointing but you have to put your hands up and say they were the better team.
'They are the best team I’ve seen and Lionel Messi the best player. I think he got three nutmegs in the first-half. On my PlayStation I can make him do what I want but he’s even better in real life. The speed he moves his legs, in fact his whole body, is amazing.

Just champion: Rooney's strike against Barcelona was stunning, yet ultimately futile

'Messi wins them games but Xavi and Andres Inesta destroy you. They are simply a fantastic team, a very special side. That’s the level we want to be at and we have to up our game to achieve this. The manager will be doing what he can to see we do this.
'The plan was to try to win the ball from them as high up as possible and not allow them time on the ball. We didn’t want to allow them to dictate play.

'I was told to stay as close to Sergio Busquets as possible and break off him when we had the ball. At times they had six in midfield with Messi and David Villa dropping back.'

Absent friends: Rooney dropped into the studio as his England team-mates went through their paces in training

And Rooney has lauded Paul Scholes as the best player he has ever played with. Scholes confirmed his retirement this morning, ending a 17-year career that brought him 10 league titles.

One of the quiet men at Old Trafford, Scholes did not even tell his team-mates what his future plans were. However, it had looked increasingly likely the 36-year-old would call it a day, leaving Rooney with a sense of loss.
'He will be missed greatly,' Rooney told TalkSPORT. 'He is definitely the best player I have played with.

'I tried to ask him what he was doing but you don't get much out of him. I didn't think it would come this quickly. Everyone will be sad to see him stop. He is a great player.'

Farewell Scholesy... Sportsmail takes a look at the highs and lows of a glittering career

Zinedine Zidane on Scholes:

‘He’s almost untouchable in what he does. I never tire of watching him play. You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get. 
One of my regrets is that the opportunity to play alongside him never presented itself during my career.’

It all started in a League Cup tie at Port Vale on an autumnal evening in 1994 and ended 17 years later in the bright lights of a Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley.

After celebrating his 24th club medal in a glittering career at the pinnacle of the game, Manchester United’s Paul Scholes has called it a day having made 676 appearances for his only team. He has become a true legend at Old Trafford.

Scholes has been an integral part of United’s success under Sir Alex Ferguson and he also notched up 66 caps for England in a seven-year international career.

Here, Sportsmail looks back at some of the highlights (and the lowlights) of the 36-year-old’s journey in football.

Farewell: Paul Scholes will be sorely missed

Best goal

Treble winners United were at Bradford on March 25 2000 and in typical fashion displayed an exhibition of football that saw them destroy their opponents 4-0.

Scholes’ stinging volley was the highlight of the show as he hit David Beckham’s corner first-time past Matt Clarke with such venom that Dwight Yorke had to take drastic evasive action.

Other contenders include a similarly well struck volley against Aston Villa in December 2006 and his opportunistic effort from 25-yards that sent Manchester United to the Champions League final at Barcelona’s expense in 2008.

Best United moment

His hat-trick in a 6-2 win at Newcastle in April 2003 came during arguably his most impressive season where he notched 20 goals from 52 games.

Hat-trick: Scholes celebrates his third at St James' Park in 2003

The treble at St James’ Park was a pivotal moment in the campaign as it came against a Toon side that would go on to finish third in the table. It was a key game in a fine late season run that saw United snatch the league title from under Arsenal’s noses.

His two goals on his debut against Port Vale gave him a perfect springboard on to future success, while he will also take personal satisfaction from scoring an injury time winner at rivals Manchester City in 2010.

Xavi Hernandez on Scholes:

‘In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen - the most complete - is Scholes. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.’

Worst United moment

Missing the entire second-half of the 2005/06 season due to an eye injury, followed by three months out with knee ligament damage a year later. The class was still there afterwards but his body could no longer deliver every single week.

Being absent for  the 1999 Champions League final was also a severe blow but he found redemption nine years later when he started in the final win against Chelsea.

Scholes was also criticised for making a high number of reckless tackles in his career, only Lee Bowyer and Robbie Savage have earned a higher number than his 89 Premier League yellow cards.

Worst moment? Scholes is booked against Juventus in 1999 - ruling him out of the Champions League final

Best England moment

Is fully responsible for ensuring England maintain some bragging rights over Scotland after scoring twice at Hampden Park in 1999 that helped secure a 2-1 aggregate win in a Euro 2000 play-off.

Earlier in the campaign Scholes also scored the first England hat-trick for six years in a 3-1 win over Poland at Wembley – Kevin Keegan’s first game in charge. He would go on to feature as one of the more consistent performers in an otherwise deeply disappointing era for the Three Lions under Keegan.

He would score on his World Cup debut in a 2-0 win over Tunisia at France 98 as well as find the net in his penultimate game for England – a crucial equaliser against Croatia at Euro 2004.

Thierry Henry on Scholes:

‘For me the best player, and every time we [Arsenal] used to play against Manchester United, we always used to be scared of Paul Scholes. For me, he was the best I have seen in the Premiership in the middle of the park.’

Worst England moment

Was harshly shoved to the left side of the midfield at Euro 2004 to accommodate for the new Frank Lampard/Steven Gerrard partnership under Sven Goran Eriksson.

It led to his international retirement and a biennial national debate over whether the Chelsea and Liverpool midfielders could play together.

He regrets not answering Fabio Capello’s emergency World Cup call last summer where he could have come in and been the driving force in a midfield that was a shambles at best in South Africa.

Finest hour: Scholes rises to head home his second goal against Scotland at Hampden Park in 1999

Paul Scholes: Simply the best

Paul Scholes was the reluctant superstar of the global game, a reluctant interviewee and even, on one of the few occasions when he granted a journalist an audience, a reluctant recipient of a rather expensive watch.

I had hoped the smart Swiss timepiece, given to him as an award for his performances for Manchester United that month, would help secure a more expansive interview; that Scholes would be more effusive in his responses as we sat in his car at the old Cliff training ground.

But he took one look at the watch, thanked me for it and then drew my attention to the cheap digital Nike one on his wrist. 'If it's all the same to you I'll probably stick with this one,' he said.

Reluctant superstar: Paul Scholes won 24 trophies at Man United 

PREMIER LEAGUE ALL-TIME APPEARANCES:

Ryan Giggs - 573
David James - 572
Gary Speed - 535
Sol Campbell - 503
Frank Lampard - 492
Emile Heskey - 488
Paul Scholes - 466

 

One could only admire him for that, just as the entire England press corps joined in applauding him when Garth Crooks addressed him as 'Nicky' (Butt) during the 2002 World Cup. 'The name's Paul,' he said in that wonderful north Manchester drawl.

We admired him as well because he was the antithesis of the modern millionaire footballer. The no-nonsense polar opposite of David Beckham and someone who shied away from fame and celebrity even when he was delivering performances that earned him status as one of the world's best players. Someone who preferred to be at home with the wife and kids and never bothered with an agent.

He was a wonderful contradiction. While he was attracting plaudits from one end of the football alphabet to the other, from Sir Alex Ferguson to Zinedine Zidane, Oldham's most gifted fan would name Andy Ritchie as his hero.

In the eyes of his colleagues, and indeed his opponents, he was simply the best at what he did. 'Undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation,' was how Zidane put it and those views have been echoed by Xavi Hernandez and Thierry Henry. At the end of Saturday's Champions League final Andres Iniesta made a point of asking Scholes for his shirt.

Class of 1992: Scholes (six from right) only ever played for one club

PREMIER LEAGUE ALL-TIME GOALSCORERS:

1 Alan Shearer 260
2 Andy Cole 187
3 Thierry Henry 174
4 Robbie Fowler 163
5 Les Ferdinand 150
---------------------------
8 Frank Lampard 139
---------------------------
18 Paul Scholes 102
---------------------------
20 Matt Le Tissier 100

At United his team-mates nicknamed him 'Sat Nav', because of his extraordinary passing ability. Rio Ferdinand was in awe of him. 'He'll do ridiculous things in training like say, "You see that tree over there?" - it'll be 40 yards away - "I'm going to hit it". And he'll do it. Everyone at the club considers him the best.'

Typically of the man, Scholes retired with the minimum of fuss. While Edwin van der Sar took the opportunity to say his farewells before that final game of the domestic season at Old Trafford, Scholes agreed to the release of a statement on the club's official website yesterday. There was no presentation from Ferguson. No address to 75,000 admirers. He even ducked the opportunity to do something during Monday' s open-top bus tour. There will be a testimonial in August but he will dread the moment when he has to say something to the fans.

Yesterday his United colleagues did the talking for him. Gary Neville had already described him as the best he ever played with at Old Trafford and Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney said the same.

Ferdinand referred to him as 'the best player of his generation - fact'. He then added: 'He went from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game - genius. Going to miss training with him and his cold, cutting, dry comments on the bike while warming up next to me at anyone who deserves it! Funny.'

Piledriver: Lionel Messi (right) watches on as Scholes unleashes a trademark strike

PREMIER LEAGUE ALL-TIME BOOKINGS:

  Lee Bowyer 99
Kevin Davies 96
Robbie Savage 89
Paul Scholes 87
(PS : he received
nine red cards too)

'He will be missed greatly,' Rooney told talkSPORT. 'He is definitely the best player I have played with. I tried to ask him what he was doing but you don't get much out of him. I didn't think it would come this quickly. Everyone will be sad to see him stop. He is a great player.'

Scholes has the medals to prove it. A European Cup - had it not been for that cruel suspension in 1999, it would have been two - 10 league titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and 66 appearances for England.

He could have won an awful lot more caps. Six years after he retired from international football at the age of 29, Fabio Capello frantically tried to persuade him to make a shock return for the 2010 World Cup. But Scholes grew tired of playing for England, particularly when the then England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, chose to accommodate Frank Lampard alongside Steven Gerrard by pushing Scholes out to the left wing. That happened during the European Championship in 2004 and the tournament in Portugal marked the end of the international road for this brilliant midfielder.

Other England managers treated him with more deference. Kevin Keegan didn't just love him for 'dropping his little bombs' but for the two goals he scored in that Euro 2000 play-off encounter with Scotland at Hampden Park. Those who were there remember the train station announcer after the match. 'Will some **** please mark Paul Scholes,' he said to the amusement of the jubilant English passengers.

Versatile: Scholes changed from being a goalscoring midfielder to a deep-lying playmaker later in his career

PAUL SCHOLES' CAREER IN NUMBERS:

676 - Man United appearances
150 - Man United goals
66 - England appearances
14 - England goals

Scholes had it all. Great intelligence and vision, two wonderful feet and a gift for scoring spectacular goals as well as creating opportunities for others.

The only criticism that was levelled at him regularly was his inability to tackle, and it was something that cost him dearly during that Champions League semi-final against Juventus in Turin in 1999. But the player who stood alongside him in United's midfield that night, and also received a booking that ruled him out of the final, had a theory about Scholes.

Roy Keane said they were not mistimed tackles but very deliberate fouls, and those who remember Scholes as the dogged, win-at-all-costs, youth-team player say he always was an aggressive little so-and-so.

It was why he was so admired and why Ferguson, like everyone at United, will miss him. He wasn't just a hugely talented player but a great competitor. A true great.

End of an era as Old Trafford legend Scholes confirms his retirement

Paul Scholes has announced his retirement from professional football.

The veteran Manchester United midfielder has declined a new one-year deal, and will take up a coaching role at Old Trafford from next season.

Time's up: Scholes has announced his retirement from professional football 

Scholes, 36, said: 'I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour.

'This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing. To have been part of the team that helped the Club reach that 19th title is a great privilege.'

Through the ages: Scholes has made 676 appearances for Manchester United over 17 years 

Scholes, who scored twice on his United debut in the League Cup against Port Vale almost 17 years ago, added: 'I would like to thank the fans for their tremendous support throughout my career.

'I would also like to thank all the coaches and players that I have worked with over the years, but most of all I would like to thank Sir Alex for being such a great manager, from the day I joined the Club his door has always been open and I know this team will go on to win many more trophies under his leadership.'

On target: The veteran midfielder will join United's coaching staff 

Scholes' role within the United coaching set-up has still to be outlined, although there could be an opening available with the reserves, where Warren Joyce has been acting alone since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Scholes will also be granted a testimonial, that will take place in August.

Sealed with a kiss: Neville, who retired early this season, suggested Scholes should play on for one more year

'What more can I say about Paul Scholes that I haven't said before,' said Sir Alex Ferguson.

'We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player. 'Paul has always been fully committed to this club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season.

'Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role.'

Coming through the ranks: Scholes graduated from United's academy with Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, and Nicky Butt 

A member of the famed 'Class of 92', Scholes made an incredible 676 appearances, the last of which came as a substitute in Saturday's Champions League final.

He won 10 Premier League titles and, after missing the 1999 Champions League final through suspension, was part of the team that conquered Europe in 2008.

'It is very sad day for Manchester United fans around the world,' said United chief executive David Gill.

'We all know that Paul was one of the players that came through the ranks of the academy system in the 90s and has established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the United shirt.

Flying high: Ferdinand lauded Scholes as the 'best player of his generation' 

'It is very important that the club keeps the associated with these great players and we are delighted that Paul will join the coaching staff.'

United defender Rio Ferdinand took to his Twitter account to hail Scholes as the top player of his generation. He wrote: 'Paul Scholes retires from football....the BEST player of his generation #fact loved every minute of playing football with him.

'Paul Scholes aka Sat Nav went from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game (changed his game while still at top of the game) #genius.

'Going to miss training with him + his cold cutting + dry comments on the bike while warming up next to me on any1 who deserves it! #funny.'

Double act: Yorke believes his former team-mate is the best player he's lined up alongside 

Dwight Yorke also paid a glowing tribute to his former United team-mate. He told Sky Sports News: 'When you look back you talk about legends of the game, he's certainly up there. Twenty trophies since 1994 - he just seems to get better and better.

'I've had the honour of playing alongside him. The four years I've played alongside him, he is the best player, one of the first names on the manager's teamsheet.

'He is just a complete legend. There are not enough players like Paul Scholes around any more for my liking. 'Legend is over-used but this guy is right up there with the very best.'

Busy summer ahead at Old Trafford as Man United chief Gill promises spree

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has promised fans the club will be 'very busy' in the transfer market this summer as Sir Alex Ferguson builds the next generation at Old Trafford.

Paul Scholes has become the latest senior player to announce his retirement following Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar and with Michael Owen out of contract and Dimitar Berbatov out of favour, the club look set for a period of upheaval.

Ashley Young, Wesley Sneijder and Luka Modric are the men most linked with a move to United and the deal to sign Atletico Madrid's goalkeeper David de Gea looks all-but complete.

Time to say goodbye: Sir Alex is planning for the next generation at Old Trafford

'It will be a busier than usual summer this year,' said chief executive David Gill. 'I will be going away at some point in June and be back for the start of our tour but I will be on with player stuff for the next few weeks I am sure.'

Despite Saturday's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, and the horrible Manchester weather, tens of thousands of United fans turned out to acclaim their team on an open-top bus parade on Monday.

Starter for three: Sneijder, Young and Modric are all on United's radar

Supporters outside Old Trafford revelled in the record 19th title triumph, with even Sir Alex Ferguson joining in the now-familiar chant of 'Are you watching Merseyside'.

Although Liverpool made rapid progress following the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as new manager in January, it still seems impossible for them to bridge the gap by finishing top for the first time since 1990 next term.

And, having gained the initiative, Scholes has looked to the furture generations to build on the achievements the club made during his playing days at Old Trafford.

Facing facts: Ferguson knows United are well short of the standards set by Barcelona

'Reaching 19 titles is not something you ever think about. All you want to do is win something,' the 36-year-old told MUTV.

'To go on like we have done is a great achievement. Now we want to stretch our lead even more.

'The challenge will always be to get the next one. This one is out of the way now. We will celebrate it today, have a nice summer, then think about winning the next one.'

Time to build: Scholes has urged United to kick on and win yet more titles