United Icons | Paul Scholes

"He scores goals galore..."

A player that doesn't really need an introduction

Author | Lee Francis

Paul Scholes first team debut came in September 1994, where he scored both goals in a 2–1 win away at Port Vale in the League Cup. The strange thing about that match was that United and Sir Alex Ferguson were heavily criticised for playing a weakened team. The debate even reached MPs. Who would have known that one of the best ever English midfielders was making his debut that day?

His league debut came three days later against Ipswich Town at Portman Road, a game in which United lost 3-2 but Scholes scored a consolation goal. The rest of the 1994/1995 season was a good debut campaign for Scholes, but we finished the season without a trophy. 

The 1995/1996 season was then a huge success for the club as won the double with Scholes scoring 14 goals in 31 appearances. It was in this season that fellow Class of 1992 members David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt became key members of the team.

Scoring key goals in The Treble campaign

Scholes was a key player in 98/99. He scored one of Manchester United's two goals against Newcastle in the FA Cup final. He also scored a crucial away goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-final. There was some disappointment for him. A yellow card in the Champions League Semi-final second leg ruled him out of the eventual victory over Bayern Munich. 

Becoming an experienced player

Scholes netted a career-high 20 goals in all competitions in the 2002–03 season, including a hat-trick in a 6–2 win against Newcastle. He played a part in United regaining the Premier League after losing 'their trophy' to Arsenal in the previous season.

The following season saw United lose the title again but win the FA Cup. Scholes scored the winning goal in the 2003–04 FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal and played in the final that United won 3–0 against Millwall, his last FA Cup winners medal. He also played in the 2005 FA Cup Final but United lost. He saw his penalty saved by Jens Lehmann as they lost to Arsenal in a penalty shootout.

The final years as a player

Over the final few seasons of his career, Scholes scored less goals, but United were still successful. They won the Premier League in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. They also won the Champions League in 2008. Scholes scored a wonder goal in a memorable semi-final win over Barcelona at Old Trafford.

In 2011, Scholes actually announced his retirement. United played a testimonial match against New York Cosmos (pictured above) where the club honoured a remarkable career. 

Scholes shocked the footballing world by returning in January 2012 on the morning of an FA Cup game against city. He played a small part in his boyhood club reclaiming the Premier League in 2013 and then retired for the second and final time a few days later.