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In this issue of "Tribūna," website visitor Erikas suggests reading about one of the most famous English football players of recent years, the versatile red-haired safety representing "Man Utd" - Paul Scholes. He has recovered from an eye problem this season and is back in the lineup, ready to take on the Premier League once again.
Name, Surname: Date of Birth: November 16, 1974 Place of Birth: Salford, England Weight: 74 kg Height: 170 cm Position: safety Club games: 490 Club goals: 131 National team games (England): 66 National team goals: 14
Legendary Paul Scholes was born on November 16, 1974 in Salford, England. This player of small stature, known for his determination on the field, can play in various positions. Throughout his professional football career, the player spent his time at "Man Utd," where he triumphed in the 1998-1999 UEFA Champions League final. In those last few minutes of the match, accurate strikes from Teddy Sheringham and "super substitute" Ole Gunnar Solskjaer helped the team become the strongest club in all of Europe for the second time in club history.
Paul Scholes was initially signed on a trial basis, but after 18 months, on January 23, 1993, "United" signed him to a professional contract. The young safety was very promising. He played in both the youth team and reserves, winning the FA Youth Cup in 1992 and finishing in the second place the following year. Paul was also a member of the English youth team (under 18), with which he won the 1993 European youth championship.
Paul's first step into top-level football was on September 24, 1994, when he made his debut in the English Premier League against "Ipswich Town," scoring twice in the match, although "United" lost 3-2.
In the 1994-1995 season, P.Scholes regularly played when Eric Cantona (missing games due to cards) and Mark Hughes (unable to enter the field due to injuries) were absent, and he earned a place in the FA Cup final by replacing Lee Sharpe.
However, P.Scholes and "Man Utd" finished a season without a silver for the first time in five years. The following season was much more successful, with the "Red Devils" overtaking "Newcastle" for the third time in four years and winning the English Premier League. Paul Scholes could celebrate his first significant victory. "Man Utd" also won the FA Cup, defeating "Liverpool" in the final. In this match, Paul Scholes achieved an historic "Double Double."
In international arena, P.Scholes made his debut at "Wembley" stadium and managed to score in his first game. Paul played in the final stage of the 1998 World Cup. He shone in the opening match against Tunisia.
In March 1999, P.Scholes became the first player to score in Italy since 1984 (when Norman Whiteside scored against the Italians). P.Scholes scored the equalizing goal in the Champions League match against Inter Milan at their own San Siro stadium. Later that same month, he scored all the goals for England at Wembley stadium in the 2000 European Championship qualifiers against Poland. The English team won that match with a clear margin of 3-1.
Being very humble in the press, he told TV that he was very proud of his achievement: "It was the best feeling I've experienced playing football. I scored important goals for Man Utd in the Champions League, but this was something completely different. Those matches were in my hands, and I had an amazing feeling seeing the fans cheering me on."
A few days later, Paul announced that he and his wife Claire were expecting their first child, but the story was not over yet. He played a significant role in achieving the "treble," scoring the second goal for "United" in the FA Cup final against "Newcastle."
The only downside of the 1998-1999 season was missing the Champions League final due to cards. Paul Scholes suffered a huge disgrace when he became the first English player to be sent off legendary "Wembley" stadium during the Euro 2000 qualifiers against Sweden, which ended in a disappointing goalless draw.
Paul missed the World Club Football Championship in January 2000 in Brazil, as he underwent a delayed hernia surgery. The decision paid off, as he only missed one Premier League match after the operation. He returned with such energy that he scored seven goals in the second half of the season, and the "Red Devils" won their sixth league title in eight years.
The 2000-2001 season was tense and successful: Paul continued to play for the English national team and won his fifth Premier League medal. He played in 44 games, scoring 11 goals. The pinnacle was his 32 passes in the Champions League game against "Panathinaikos." P.Scholes ended the season with 15 goals in the UEFA Cup, one more than the long-standing record of Denis Law.
As the season came to a close, Paul agreed to new contract terms. On March 9, 2001, P.Scholes and his wife Claire announced the birth of their second child. They named their daughter Alice.
On July 6, 2001, P.Scholes signed a new contract with "Man Utd," which kept the red-haired midfielder at Old Trafford until July 2006.
Despite the club's unsuccessful season, Paul, along with David Beckham, Nicky Butt, and Wes Brown, made it to the English national team lineup for the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. Paul played calmly and really well, as he always does. Paul was energetic, and with the team reached the quarterfinals, where they were defeated by the Brazilian team with a score of 1-2.
Paul returned to Manchester and took on a new role. It was playing together with the attacking leader of the "devils" Ruud van Nistelrooy. After efforts in 2001-2002, the red-haired Brit proved that manager Sir Alex Ferguson knew from the start that Paul was capable of playing as a "supporting striker."
That season, P.Scholes scored twenty remarkable goals. Like Ruud, Paul accelerated and scored six goals in seven matches, including a stunning "hat-trick" against Newcastle. The "goal machine" Ruud van Nistelrooy greatly contributed to "United's" eighth Premier League title, but Paul Scholes's contribution should not go unnoticed.
Years went by, and the player's experience grew and grew. In the UEFA Champions League, the "Man Utd" club did not excel with an impressive game and withdrew from the tournament halfway through the quarterfinals or even the round of 16. In the 2002-2003 season, they again crowned themselves champions and won their 15th Premier League trophy in the club's history. The most productive that season was the Dutchman R.van Nistelrooy. P.Scholes also remained unscathed in that championship and was one of the team leaders.
Unfortunately, to this day, this is the last victory in the English Premier League. In the 2003-2004 season, the "Red Devils" finished second, behind eternal rival "Arsenal." The following year, the "United" club remained in third place. Then came businessman from Russia Roman Abramovich, who acquired the "Chelsea" team and with it currently dominates all the powerful clubs: "Man Utd," "Arsenal," and "Liverpool." This is evident in the last titles won by this team in the English Premier League.
After the rather disappointing 2004 European Championship for England, the determined player decided to leave the national team, for which he had played since 1997 and scored 14 goals in 66 matches.
Last season was unsuccessful for P.Scholes, as he had to miss the second half of the season due to vision problems. However, "Man Utd" finally climbed one step up - finishing in second place.
This season, "United" and P.Scholes started successfully: in the Champions League, they faced two strong clubs - "Celtic" and "Benfica." Last week, the "Red Devils" eleven regained the leader's position in the Premier League championship.
As we finish the story about one of the most famous versatile safeties of the past decade, not only for "Man Utd" but for the whole world, it must be acknowledged that the player was loyal to only one club - "Man Utd." Playing for the team since 1993, the 31-year-old player defended the team's honor in 490 matches and scored 131 goals.
Paul Scholes's career is coming to an end, and while I can still enjoy his excellent performance, I wish him and his family the greatest success and happiness. He will never be forgotten in the "Man Utd" team; he will always remain in the hearts of loyal "United" fans, he will always be a "Red Devil"!
