texas_oldham Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Despite the sub-heading he doesn't mention oldham, although he does say if he leaves man u he wont move far from oldham. Thought it would be worth a post. Paul Scholes: 'I know there isn't much time left so I have to enjoy it' In an exclusive interview, the Manchester United midfielder reveals why he turned his back on England, life with Sir Alex and the possibility of leaving Old Trafford for Oldham The table in reception at Manchester United's training ground is festooned with copies of the official players' union magazine, full of glossy advertisements for Aston Martin, £5,000 Swiss watches and "the most exclusive penthouses the world has ever seen" in Dubai Marina. The advertisers clearly feel they know their market. Paul Scholes – family man, drives an Audi, lives on Saddleworth Moor and dislikes the sun – must cause a certain scratching of heads. In a rare interview before Euro 2004 – all Scholes interviews have rarity value – he was asked what constituted an ideal day for him. The answer, in a matter-of-fact Oldham drawl, was: "Train in the morning, pick up the kids from school, play with them, have tea, get them to bed and then watch a bit of TV." The only thing that has changed in the subsequent four years is that there is now an extra little boy to amuse and, professionally, he is no longer available to England. He made that decision in the wake of the Portugal tournament, when a beating sun on ginger hair aggravated his asthma and he was substituted in every game. "England have lost their best player," George Best said at the time. So once this afternoon's key Premier League game at home to Liverpool is over, he can be first out of the door and home for tea and bathtime instead of rushing south to join up with Fabio Capello's squad. "I've felt the benefit the last couple of years," Scholes says of his self-imposed international exile. "I can spend more time at home, which helps. When England play, you get a couple of days off and it's always nice to get that bit of relaxation. At some stage you have to put your feet up. When you're with England you maybe don't get as much chance as I do now." Whether Capello would have been any more successful than Sven Goran Eriksson in integrating him into the midfield with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole is a moot point, but a 20-minute cameo against Bolton last Wednesday reminded everyone why the manager might have liked the chance. Brought on with Wayne Rooney in a double substitution designed to demoralise any opposition, Scholes gave a classic display of passing and moving, collecting the ball off United's back four, controlling it and then spreading it either far and wide or short and simple, but always to a red shirt. The comfortable 2-0 victory enabled United to establish a stretch of clear blue water at the head of the Premier League for the first time since Boxing Day. Not that anyone at the club regards a three-point advantage over Arsenal as more than a pleasant bonus. "It is definitely a three-horse race, and there's a question of whether it could be four," Scholes says, adding today's opponents into the equation. "Liverpool haven't had a great Premiership season so you haven't really looked at them. They might be 11 points behind us but if they could beat us, they could be right back in it. Three weeks ago, Arsenal were five points clear, so it shows how quickly it can turn around." Familiar names, familiar foes. Since the season of his first-team debut in 1994, the Blackburns and Newcastles have had little more than a year or two in the limelight while the fab four have fought for the title, and one fixture has stuck out: "Maybe over the past few years, Arsenal and Chelsea have been bigger in terms of going for the League, but overall through history, Liverpool is definitely the biggest game. It always was, right down to when you were playing on Saturday morning in the B team or the Under-16s; it was always special playing Liverpool and trying to beat them." Gerrard also makes reference to those youth games in his autobiography (as well as "some right kicking matches with Wes Brown") and speaks of the "vitriol" and "poison" from United fans these days. Yet he admits to being disarmed when introduced to United players on his first England call-up: "Almost 20 years of being conditioned to hate Man U went up in smoke. There I was shaking hands with Beckham and Scholes. They were brilliant at putting the new boy at ease." Gerrard might even have blushed at hearing Scholes' comments about his new role as second striker just behind Fernando Torres: "Playing a bit further forward, he's made a big difference. I think it makes good use of his strengths, he's a strong runner and good passer of the ball so they seem to have settled on that, playing two holding midfielders and let Steven get on with it. "Probably for the last few years, since Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler, they'd lacked a goalscorer. But Torres has scored goals, in his first season as well. Foreigners have struggled to adapt but he hasn't at all, with Steven helping him." So any hack across the shins from Scholes this afternoon will be entirely due to his famed lack of timing in the tackle. Probably. Mention his tackling – he is the only England player to be sent off at Wembley, for two lunges against Sweden in 1999 – and he becomes a little defensive for the first time. "I'm trying to remember the last time I got booked. I noticed in the programme I've only been booked twice this season. So it's probably that I'm not tackling enough! I wouldn't call it a problem. I've never particularly worked on it. Sometimes you mistime them, sometimes you don't." Perhaps English referees know the essential nature of the man and make occasional allowance. Steve Bennett certainly did in sparing him a second yellow card that would have meant suspension from the 2004 FA Cup final against Millwall (to the London club's fury). In Europe, he has been less fortunate. Another piece of "mistiming" led to dismissal in the Champions' League quarter-final away to Roma last season, thereby sitting out one of the very best United performances in his 17 years at the club, the 7-1 victory in the second leg. Previously, of course, therewas a ban along with Roy Keane from the greatest day inUnited's recent history, the 1999 Champions' League final. Now Roma, though already beaten at Old Trafford in the group stage this season, stand in the way again. Most players would be bursting to go all the way and make up for the frustration of missing out nine years ago. Characteristically, Scholes – and it could be Keane speaking – sees the challenge only in terms of the team, not himself: "I think whether you've missed a chance or not, it's a massive tournament for everybody involved, even players like Paolo Maldini who've won it five or six times. You'd like to think you'd score seven again – to beat a top Italian team by that score was amazing – but it's probably not going to happen. If we can get something out there and have something to come back here to, it'll be great." Remind him that Sir Alex Ferguson has effectively promised him a place in the final if United make it to Moscow, and the reaction is equally typical: "If we get there, I want to be there on merit. I don't want no sympathy vote. If I'm not playing well, the manag-er's not going to say, 'You missed the final 10 years ago, go and play for 10 minutes'. I wouldn't read too much into that one." On that subject, how does he read the manager, the only one he has known at club level? "It's just his presence, I think, that gives you a lift itself. Although he's never really been one for playing people on their training performances, when he comes out to training everybody tries that little bit harder." Ferguson is a huge admirer still, but in the emerging young Brazilian Anderson, United have for the first time a player identified as Scholes' successor in central midfield. At 33, how does that make him feel? "There was always going to be a time when someone came in who's young and sprightly, with a lot of ability and will keep you out of the team. I know there probably isn't that much time left, so you have to try to enjoy it as much as you can, coming to training, playing games. I hope it's a long time away. I just want to concentrate on playing for as long as possible." If that eventually means moving on from United, so be it. "It won't be far, I'm very much a home person," he says. His first love, Oldham Athletic, might be in with a shout. But Barcelona and Milan, like the Dubai Marina developers, should prepare for disappointment. As Keane once said of his erstwhile team-mate: "No celebrity bull:censored:... just an amazingly gifted player who has remained an unaffected human being." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philliggi Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 a mate of mine, who is a season ticket holder at old trafford, reckons we might see Scholes aat boundary park sooner rather than later. as the artical mentions, Anderson is coming to the fore now, and In his opinion, Scholes' best days are well and trully behind him. apparently Paul has another year after this season left on his contract, but the feeling amongst most red fans is that he could go in summer. he has only been a bit part player this year, and they dont want him to end up playing reserve team footbal at the end of his career. The only thing standing in the way of Scholes becoming a latics player in the summer is the fact Fergie wants to keep him as a coach. As I say, this is just the opinion of one United fan, but he reckons he talks for the Majority at Old Trafford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankly Mr Shankly Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 (edited) The only thing standing in the way of Scholes becoming a latics player in the summer is the fact Fergie wants to keep him as a coach. He still could, but after a season or so with us. I'd love to see him in a Latics shirt for a final season but ain't getting any hopes up about it. He'd absolutely murder this division. Edited March 23, 2008 by Frankly Mr Shankly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edhunteruk Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 He still could, but after a season or so with us. I'd love to see him in a Latics shirt for a final season but ain't getting any hopes up about it. He'd absolutely murder this division. i too would love to see him in a latics shirt,but next season??? if he came here we could offer him a playing contract then when that finishes offer him a coaching role. i think its a season too early myself,but you never know,and he is definately one name that would increase season ticket sales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardlelatic Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Maybe he'll come after this Xmas on an 18 mths contract after only playing one game for the Scum next season ! Think its a possibility that he will play for us but we have no chance what so ever of having him as a coach after he finishes playing ! He will take on the TP role at Maun Ure and look after their kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc1955 Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 He still could, but after a season or so with us. I'd love to see him in a Latics shirt for a final season but ain't getting any hopes up about it. He'd absolutely murder this division. Yes, your'e right, he would murder this division, but he'd need good players around him. Would he have made that much difference to the team who played on Saturday? He's a great player but he's played with great players all his career and somehow coming to Oldham might not be such a good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetramfixer Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 only way he'd come here is if he needs time whilst doing his coaching badges.... and keeping his hand in sort of thing... but alas me thinks the only time we'll see him at BP is to watch the Latics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philliggi Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 only way he'd come here is if he needs time whilst doing his coaching badges.... and keeping his hand in sort of thing... but alas me thinks the only time we'll see him at BP is to watch the Latics scholes would be a replacement for wellens, the creative midfielder we have lacked this year, so yes, i honestly think he would make a difference. if he came i think all we are lacking then is a winger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouldy_old_maki Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 I spose he would be an able replacement for Wellens, knowing Shez he'd end up being played at left back lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corporal_Jones Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 It wont happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_mighty_bosh Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 I wonder if my FM2007 game will become reality. After three seasons of trying I took Latics up to the Championship (1st season 6th lost in playoff semi's, 2nd season 11th, third season 2nd). Scholesy's £100,000 a week contract at United had just run out so I beat off bigger clubs and made him my highest earner despite him having to take a £94,500 a week pay cut to play for Latics (no cheats I might add)! He controlled the midfield for two years with us before retiring and helped us stay in a comfortable mid-table position, but the scary realism of the story is that by the time Scholes left the club, our gates were down to 3,500! Video games are becoming way too realistic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigfinLatic Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 scholes would be a replacement for wellens, the creative midfielder we have lacked this year, so yes, i honestly think he would make a difference. if he came i think all we are lacking then is a winger Scholes as a replacement for..... wellens...???? My god Phil.... Richie Wellens isnt even fit to walk on the same pitch as the mighty ginger one.... Wellens is a great lower division player, Paul Scholes is a world class midfielder.... 'make a difference' - my god he would outclass evryone on the pitch X100!!! I spose he would be an able replacement for Wellens, Again... .... its like comparing a fiat to a ferrari... no matter even if scholes is 72 when he plays for us... to even mutter that he is a replacement for wellens is just rediculous - its sodding Paul Scholes - it would be an honor if he ever pulled on a latics shirt! Next you will be saying we will be signing Ronaldo to replace Porter.... Terry to replace Trotman.... Cech to replace Pogs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philliggi Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Scholes as a replacement for..... wellens...???? My god Phil.... Richie Wellens isnt even fit to walk on the same pitch as the mighty ginger one.... Wellens is a great lower division player, Paul Scholes is a world class midfielder.... 'make a difference' - my god he would outclass evryone on the pitch X100!!! Again... .... its like comparing a fiat to a ferrari... no matter even if scholes is 72 when he plays for us... to even mutter that he is a replacement for wellens is just rediculous - its sodding Paul Scholes - it would be an honor if he ever pulled on a latics shirt! Next you will be saying we will be signing Ronaldo to replace Porter.... Terry to replace Trotman.... Cech to replace Pogs! lol you had me laughing to myself with that post, but it wasnt me who said would he make a difference to what we saw on the pitch yesterday. i totally agree with your sentiment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seasidelatic Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 rediculous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Scholes is still absolutely class, even at the top level of the game. If he were to come to Latics next season, which I don't think will happen, I think he could almost single-handedly get us promotion. Not to mention, an awful lot of season tickets sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AMO Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Scholes is still absolutely class, even at the top level of the game. If he were to come to Latics next season, which I don't think will happen, I think he could almost single-handedly get us promotion. Not to mention, an awful lot of season tickets sold. I am not convinced that we will ever see him in a Latics shirt, would be nice to see him but I don't think it will ever happen. He has far to much class and if and when he leaves Utd then there would be a Queue of Championship and Premier League clubs lining up to sign him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_bro Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 I am not convinced that we will ever see him in a Latics shirt, would be nice to see him but I don't think it will ever happen. He has far to much class and if and when he leaves Utd then there would be a Queue of Championship and Premier League clubs lining up to sign him. I doubt that he would play for us, but if he did it would be magic Obviously the money wouldn't matter to him, but the frustration of playing with inferior players may get to him. At Utd the other players are on the same wave length and make runs he expects them to make, and don't waste the ball when it's passed to them. That wouldn't happed with us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigfinLatic Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 I doubt that he would play for us, but if he did it would be magic Obviously the money wouldn't matter to him, but the frustration of playing with inferior players may get to him. At Utd the other players are on the same wave length and make runs he expects them to make, and don't waste the ball when it's passed to them. That wouldn't happed with us How very dare you.... ... are you trying to imply that Craig Davies does not have the football brain that paul scholes is used to??? Rediculous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seasidelatic Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 (edited) are you trying to imply that Craig Davies does not have the football brain that paul scholes is used to??? Davies and Eardley are internationals, dontchaknow Keep the Faith Edited March 24, 2008 by seasidelatic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc2002 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Can I be the first to say, that if Scholes does sign for us he will be cast aside as not good enough after his first misplaced pass, and there will be outcry amongst the "die hard fans" that Shezz is wasting his budget on a ex utd has been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corporal_Jones Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Can I be the first to say, that if Scholes does sign for us he will be cast aside as not good enough after his first misplaced pass, and there will be outcry amongst the "die hard fans" that Shezz is wasting his budget on a ex utd has been. We have as much chance of seeing Scholes in an Oldham shirt (unless he wears one when he attends a game as a punter) as we have of seeing George Best in one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavin Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 a few of my red scum m8s have said that if we ever sign scholes they'll be coming down regularly as they think hes one of the best players have seen in a long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 We have as much chance of seeing Scholes in an Oldham shirt (unless he wears one when he attends a game as a punter) as we have of seeing George Best in one. That's not quite true, is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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