Goal of the Day: S is for… Scholes

REDS SPELL

Paul made his first-team breakthrough in the 1994/95 campaign, adding a further three goals in 16 appearances to that debut brace against Port Vale in the League Cup. Originally a centre-forward, Scholes filled in alongside Andy Cole the following season, when Eric Cantona was still suspended, and didn’t move into a full-time central midfield role until 1997/98, due to injury to Roy Keane. It was in the middle of the park where Scholesy became a true United legend, helping United to the Treble in 1999 and notching double figures in terms of goals in seven seasons out of eight up until 2005.

In his latter years, Scholes adopted a more withdrawn position, dictating the tempo as part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s final great side, which claimed four Premier League trophies in five years and reached the Champions League finals in 2008, 2009 and 2011. After the latter, Scholes announced his retirement. But he wasn’t finished yet…

POST-RETIREMENT

Just six months after seemingly walking out on football forever, Scholesy was back – as a substitute, wearing the unfamiliar no.22 – as United prepared for an FA Cup third-round tie at Manchester City. Although he’d gone over half a year without pulling on his boots, Paul came on in the second half and looked like he’d never been away, helping the Reds hold on to a narrow 3-2 advantage. Although United were dramatically denied the title by City’s last-day exploits, Scholesy’s 11th and final league crown did arrive in 2013. After lifting the trophy, the 38-year-old opted to retire for good this time. He has since become a familiar face on our screens, as part of BT Sport’s Premier League and Champions League coverage.