Man Utd midfielder Paul Scholes retires aged 36

[Afridi_Fan]

Manchester United's Paul Scholes has announced his retirement aged 36. Midfielder Scholes made his United debut in 1994, making 676 appearances, and will now join the coaching staff. The news came after he helped the club win a record 19th league title, the 10th of his career, and his last game was Saturday's Champions League final loss to Barcelona. "This was not a decision I've taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing," he said. The famously low key Scholes stated: "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. "To have been part of the team that helped the club reach that 19th title is a great privilege." Manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute, calling him "a truly unbelievable player. "Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role," he added. Scholes was also held in high esteem by his fellow professionals - former world player of the year Zinedine Zidane called him "the complete midfielder" and "my toughest opponent. "Scholes is undoubtedly the greatest of his generation," added the former France international. Sir Bobby Charlton was also a huge admirer. "Many great players have worn the shirt of Manchester United. Players I worshipped, then lost with my youth in Munich. Players like Denis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Ferguson era - and in so many ways Scholes is my favourite," he said. United team-mate Rio Ferdinand said Scholes had gone "from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game" and "changed his game while still at top of the game", while Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere described him as "top class" and "a great role model for any young English midfielder." Scholes was part of United's Class of 92, which also produced David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville - another player who ended his United career this season. United chief executive David Gill said Scholes had "established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the United shirt". In addition to winning 10 Premier League titles, Scholes was a member of the team that triumphed in the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea, but was suspended for the 1999 final win over Bayern Munich. He also won 66 England caps before retiring from international football following the Euro 2004 tournament, aged only 29, but coach Fabio Capello tried to tempt him to change his mind for last summer's World Cup. Scholes said he would have considered a U-turn but was not given enough time to make up his mind.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13600395.stm