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{{Short description|English footballer (born 1974)}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Paul Scholes
| image = P Scholes.jpg
| caption = Scholes playing for [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 2008
| full_name = Paul Scholes
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|11|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Salford]], England
| height = {{convert|1.68|m|order=flip}}<ref name="PremProfile"/>
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = Langley Furrow
| youthyears2 = 1991–1993
| youthclubs2 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| years1 = 1993–2011
| clubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| caps1 = 466
| goals1 = 102
| years2 = 2012–2013
| clubs2 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| caps2 = 33
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2018
| clubs3 = Royton Town
| caps3 = 2
| goals3 = 0
| totalcaps = 501
| totalgoals = 107
| nationalyears1 = 1993
| nationalteam1 = [[England national under-18 football team|England U18]]
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 1997–2004
| nationalteam2 = [[England national football team|England]]
| nationalcaps2 = 66
| nationalgoals2 = 14
| manageryears1 = 2015
| managerclubs1 = [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]] (caretaker)
| manageryears2 = 2019
| managerclubs2 = [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]]
| manageryears3 = 2020
| managerclubs3 = [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]] (interim)
}}
'''Paul Scholes''' (born 16 November 1974) is an English former [[association football|football]] pundit, coach and player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Scholes spent his [[List of one-club men in association football|entire professional playing career]] with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], for whom he scored over 150 goals in more than 700 appearances between 1993 and 2013. Scholes won 25 trophies, including 11 [[Premier League]] titles (more than any other English player), three [[FA Cup]]s and two [[UEFA Champions League]] titles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/paul-scholes-one-one#:YUlCPmEN3fJzpA |title=The big interview: Paul Scholes – "People blamed Sven for me quitting England, but I'd played on the wing for Man United and scored a lot of goals" |date=19 April 2017 |website=FourFourTwo}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/0/francesco-totti-turns-40-footballs-greatest-one-club-men/paul-scholes/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/0/francesco-totti-turns-40-footballs-greatest-one-club-men/paul-scholes/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Francesco Totti turns 40: Football's greatest one-club men |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 September 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He is renowned for his technical skills, accurate passing, intelligent movement, powerful shooting from long range and goal-scoring ability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farah |first=Yoosof |title=Paul Scholes: Why United Legend Is Best Midfielder of the Premier League Era |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1150119-paul-scholes-why-united-legend-is-best-midfielder-of-the-premier-league-era|access-date=1 July 2020 |website=Bleacher Report}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tighe |first=Sam |title=50 Greatest Midfielders in the History of World Football |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1572011-50-greatest-midfielders-in-the-history-of-world-football|access-date=1 July 2020 |website=Bleacher Report}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Callum |date=8 October 2024 |title=The 20 greatest midfielders in football history have been ranked – Iniesta 6th |url=https://www.givemesport.com/greatest-midfielders-in-football-history/ |access-date=30 November 2024 |website=GiveMeSport |language=en}}</ref>

Scholes came through the Manchester United academy as one of [[Fergie's Fledglings]], a group of players recruited by the club under the management of [[Alex Ferguson]]. He made his full debut in the [[1994–95 Manchester United F.C. season|1994–95 season]]. He went on to make 718 appearances for the club, the [[List of Manchester United F.C. records and statistics#Most appearances|third-highest number of appearances]] by any player. He announced his retirement from playing in May 2011 and was appointed as a coach at Manchester United. He returned to playing in January 2012, and played one more season for the club before retiring again in May 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22501180 |title=Sir Alex Ferguson's Old Trafford farewell in pictures |date=12 May 2013 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22499705 |title=Paul Scholes: Manchester United midfielder's career in pictures |date=12 May 2013 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

Scholes represented the [[England national football team|England national team]] from 1997 to 2004, gaining 66 [[Cap (association football)|cap]]s and participating in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]] and [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]] [[FIFA World Cup]]s, as well as the 2000 and [[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]] [[UEFA European Championship]]s. He announced his retirement from international football in August 2004, citing his family life and his club career with Manchester United as being more important.<ref name=":0" />

Scholes' first managerial position was at [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]], for 31 days in February and March 2019. In 2020, he had a short spell as interim manager of Salford City.

==Early life==
Scholes was born on 16 November 1974 in [[Salford]], Greater Manchester.<ref>{{Hugman|17558|access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> He is of Irish and Northern Irish descent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.balls.ie/football/13-players-eligible-for-ireland-461530 |title=13 Big Name Players That Were Eligible To Play For Ireland |first=Gary |last=Connaughton |website=Balls.ie|date=7 November 2023 }}</ref> On his mother's side, his grandmother came from Ireland, while his grandfather was from Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paul Scholes: I really like the look of Jack Grealish. He has promise. I just hope he chooses England! |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/paul-scholes-i-really-like-the-look-of-jack-grealish-he-has-promise-i-just-hope-he-chooses-england-10199718.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/paul-scholes-i-really-like-the-look-of-jack-grealish-he-has-promise-i-just-hope-he-chooses-england-10199718.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent|access-date=24 April 2015}}</ref> The family moved to [[Langley, Greater Manchester]], when he was 18 months old, where he lived on Bowness Road and Talkin Drive.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web |title=Manchester – BBC Radio Manchester – Paul Scholes on Langley |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2007/04/02/020407_langley_scholes_feature.shtml |website=BBC Manchester |access-date=8 April 2012}}</ref> He attended the St Mary's RC Primary School in Langley. The first team he played for was Langley Furrow. Scholes also excelled at cricket. At age 14, he began training with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref name="observer best">{{cite news |title=Simply the best |newspaper=The Observer |last=Jackson |first=Jamie |date=18 May 2008 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/18/manchesterunited.championsleague1 |access-date=19 December 2008 |location=London}}</ref> He later joined as a trainee upon leaving the [[Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School]] in [[Middleton, Greater Manchester|Middleton]] during the summer of 1991.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> In his final term at school, he was selected to represent Great Britain National Schools in football.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

==Club career==
===1993–1999===
[[File:1999 FA Cup Final Scholes goal celeb (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] players celebrate their second goal by Scholes in the [[1999 FA Cup final]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]]]]

Scholes was a member of the Manchester United youth team that reached the final of the [[FA Youth Cup]] in the 1992–93 season, alongside [[Phil Neville]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.scotsman.com/davidbeckham/Old-Trafford-band-of-brothers.2435209.jp |title=Old Trafford band of brothers prepare for split |date=12 June 2003 |first=Pete |last=Oliver |newspaper=The Scotsman |access-date=19 December 2008 |location=Edinburgh}}</ref> Scholes turned professional on 23 July 1993 but did not make his breakthrough into the senior squad until the [[1994–95 Manchester United F.C. season|1994–95 season]], when he made seventeen league appearances and scored five goals.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

His debut came on 21 September 1994, where he scored both goals in a 2–1 victory over [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]]. His league debut came three days later against [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] at [[Portman Road]], a game which United lost 3–2 and Scholes scored a consolation goal. He scored two league goals when he came on 10 December when United beat [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] 3–2 at [[Loftus Road]]. On 3 January 1995, he got onto the scoresheet at [[Old Trafford]] for the first time with the opener in a 2–0 league win over [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]. He scored once more that season, in a 3–2 away win over Coventry City on 1 May.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/1353 |title=Coventry City 2–3 Manchester United |publisher=Premier League|access-date=11 December 2017}}</ref> Scholes came on as a substitute in the [[1995 FA Cup final]] against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], which United lost 1–0.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

In the [[1995–96 Manchester United F.C. season|1995–96 season]], after [[Mark Hughes]] moved to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], Scholes had more first-team opportunities, standing in for the suspended [[Eric Cantona]] as [[Andy Cole]]'s strike partner for the first two months of the season. Scholes scored 14 goals in all competitions as United became the first English team to win the double twice. He picked up another Premier League medal in the [[1996–97 Manchester United F.C. season|1996–97 season]].{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

After [[Roy Keane]] suffered a knee injury in late September 1997 and was ruled out for the rest of the season, Scholes was made a central midfielder in the [[1997–98 Manchester United F.C. season|1997–98 season]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Names of the Nineties: Paul Scholes |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/09/12/names-of-the-nineties-paul-scholes/ |website=These Football Times |date=12 September 2019}}</ref> United finished the season without a major trophy, only the second time in the 1990s that this happened.<ref>{{cite web |title=Club Trophy Room |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Club/Trophy-Room.aspx |access-date=16 April 2009}}</ref>

In the [[1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season|1998–99 season]], Scholes was a key player in Manchester United's [[Premier League]] title, [[FA Cup]], and [[UEFA Champions League]] [[treble (association football)|treble]] success. He scored one of Manchester United's two goals against Newcastle in the FA Cup final. He also scored an away goal against [[Inter Milan]] in the Champions League [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League#Quarter-finals|quarter-final]]. He came on as a substitute in the second leg of the semi-final against [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]<ref>{{cite news |title=United's glorious comeback |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/325389.stm |website=BBC News |date=21 April 1999 |access-date=23 August 2012}}</ref> as [[Alex Ferguson]] opted for Nicky Butt in the starting line-up. He picked up a yellow card which ruled him out of the final victory over [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] through suspension.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hodges |first=Vicki |title=Champions League final: Paul Scholes deserves European Cup success, says David Beckham |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=21 May 2008 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2301091/Champions-League-final-Paul-Scholes-deserves-European-Cup-success,-says-David-Beckham.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208111811/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2301091/Champions-League-final-Paul-Scholes-deserves-European-Cup-success,-says-David-Beckham.html |archive-date=8 December 2008}}</ref>

===1999–2007===
[[File:Paul Scholes.jpg|thumb|upright|Scholes playing for [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 2006]]

During the 1999–2000 season, Scholes scored one of the finest goals of his career against [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] on 25 March 2000. David Beckham took a corner directly to Scholes, who was standing on the edge of the area, who volleyed it in over [[Dwight Yorke]], who was forced to duck.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/690380.stm |title=Man Utd surge clear |website=BBC News |date=25 March 2000 |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> A week later, Scholes scored the first [[Hat-trick (association football)|hat-trick]] of his United career against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in a 7–1 victory that put United ten points clear.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/697995.stm |title=Scholes inspires rout of Hammers |website=BBC News |date=1 April 2000 |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref>

During the [[2001–02 Manchester United F.C. season|2001–02]] transfer window, United completed the signing of Argentine international [[Juan Sebastián Verón]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Veron seals £28.1m Man Utd move |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/1423604.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=12 July 2001 |access-date=23 August 2012}}</ref> To accommodate Scholes and Verón, Ferguson persisted with the 4–4–1–1 formation, with Scholes playing at the withdrawn striker role behind [[Ruud van Nistelrooy]], as Roy Keane and Verón played in central midfield.<ref name="two minds">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/1642978.stm |website=BBC Sport |title=Scholes caught in two minds |date=7 November 2001 |access-date=23 August 2012}}</ref> In European away fixtures, Scholes was often played in central midfield alongside Verón as Keane anchored.<ref>{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=United aim for right balance |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3015293/United-aim-for-right-balance.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3015293/United-aim-for-right-balance.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=22 October 2001 |access-date=23 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2917307.stm |title=Man Utd rout Newcastle |website=BBC Sport |date=12 April 2003 |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> a number that dipped to fourteen the next year. This was despite a career-best four FA Cup goals, in comparison to his total of five FA Cup goals scored in his first nine seasons.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

Scholes scored the winning goal in the [[2003–04 FA Cup]] semi-final against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]],<ref>{{cite news |last=McCarra |first=Kevin |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/apr/05/match.arsenal |title=Scholes shows United's fight and Arsenal's fallibility |date=5 April 2004 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> and played in the final which United won 3–0 against [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]],<ref name="2004FACupFinal">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3725063.stm |title=Man Utd win FA Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2004 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> his last FA Cup medal.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} He also played in the [[2005 FA Cup final]], but saw his [[penalty kick]] saved by [[Jens Lehmann]] as they lost to Arsenal in a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Amy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/may/22/match.sport1 |title=Vieira holds his nerve to claim historic penalty prize for Arsenal |date=22 May 2005 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

Scholes was ruled out for the second half of the [[2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season|2005–06 season]] with blurred vision.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Andy |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/eye-problem-robs-united-of-scholes-for-season-524402.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/eye-problem-robs-united-of-scholes-for-season-524402.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Eye problem robs United of Scholes for season |date=25 January 2006 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Independent}}</ref> The cause of this was initially uncertain, sparking fears that it could end his career.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4604158.stm |title=Scholes blindness claims rejected |website=BBC Sport |date=11 January 2006 |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> He overcame this problem through the beginning of the year and he appeared in United's final game of the season against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4957458.stm |title=Man Utd 4–0 Charlton |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2006 |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref>

Scholes and [[Wayne Rooney]] were sent off on 4 August 2006 in a pre-season friendly against [[FC Porto|Porto]] in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rooney & Scholes off in friendly |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/5247208.stm |access-date=31 October 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 August 2006}}</ref> England's [[The Football Association|Football Association]] suspended the pair for three games, which United appealed due to the non-competitive nature of the fixture; Ferguson conceded that Scholes should have been sent off for his tackle from behind on [[Ricardo Quaresma]], while defending Rooney.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ogden |first1=Mark |title=United to appeal against Rooney and Scholes bans |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/united-to-appeal-against-rooney-and-scholes-bans-411209.html |access-date=31 October 2025 |work=The Independent |date=10 August 2006}}</ref> An independent panel upheld the suspensions of both players.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=United furious as Rooney and Scholes have to serve bans |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/aug/16/newsstory.sport2 |access-date=31 October 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=16 August 2006}}</ref>

On 22 October 2006, in the 2–0 victory over [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], Scholes became the ninth United player to play in 500 matches, joining [[Bobby Charlton]], [[Bill Foulkes]] and Ryan Giggs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cheese |first=Caroline |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6050692.stm |title=Man Utd 2–0 Liverpool |website=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2006 |access-date=22 October 2006}}</ref> Scholes experienced one of his finest seasons in 2006–07,<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/may/19/newsstory.sport1 |title=Scholes sees how blurred vision improved his focus |date=19 May 2007 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> and was included in the [[PFA Team of the Year]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/23/newsstory.sport5 |title=The PFA teams of the year: from Premier League to League Two |date=23 April 2007 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> and was shortlisted for the [[PFA Players' Player of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/16/newsstory.sport4 |title=United dominate PFA award shortlist |date=16 April 2007 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> One of his finest performances of the season came in a 4–1 win against Blackburn Rovers, where United were 1–0 down but Scholes "got hold of the game by the scruff of the neck" and scored the equalising goal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Whittell |first=Ian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/01/match.sport5 |title=No need for Wayne as United roar back |date=1 April 2007 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/02/match.sport8 |title=Scholes keeps United hurtling on title tracks |date=2 April 2007 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> On 3 March 2007, in a 1–0 victory over Liverpool at [[Anfield]], Scholes was dismissed for swinging an arm at [[Xabi Alonso]]; [[John O'Shea]] scored the winning goal in injury time.<ref>{{cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6392443.stm |title=Liverpool 0–1 Man Utd |website=BBC Sport |date=3 March 2007 |access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref> It marked his first league sending off since April 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=199371 |title=O'Shea stuns Anfield |website=ESPNsoccernet |date=3 March 2007 |accessdate=19 December 2008 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629031310/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=199371 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A month later, he was sent off in the first leg of United's Champions League quarter-final at [[AS Roma|Roma]].{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===2007–2011===
[[File:Paul Scholes vs Man City.jpg|thumb|Scholes (left) playing for [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 2008]]

Scholes suffered knee ligament damage during a training session the night before United's Champions League Group F match with [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]] on 23 October 2007, and was out of action until the end of January 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/oct/29/newsstory.manchesterunited |title=Knee injury to keep Scholes out for three months |date=29 October 2007 |access-date=8 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> He returned as a substitute in United's 3–1 win over [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in the fourth round of the [[FA Cup]]. On 23 April 2008, Scholes made his 100th Champions League appearance in a 0–0 draw away to [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in the semi-final first leg, and scored the only goal from 25 yards in a 1–0 victory in the second leg that sent United into the [[2008 UEFA Champions League final|final]].<ref>{{cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |title=Man Utd 1–0 Barcelona (agg 1–0) |website=BBC Sport |date=18 September 2008 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7368730.stm |access-date=15 April 2009}}</ref> During the final against Chelsea, he suffered an injury and received a [[Yellow card (association football)|yellow card]] after a clash with [[Claude Makélélé]]. He was substituted in the 87th minute and did not take part in the penalty shoot-out, which United won 6–5 after drawing 1–1 after extra time.<ref name="2008ChampionsLeagueFinal">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7406252.stm |title=Man Utd earn dramatic Euro glory |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2008 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> In the [[2008 UEFA Super Cup]] against [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit Saint Petersburg]], Scholes was sent off after he received a second yellow card for a deliberate handball.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wallace |first=Sam |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/man-utd-1-zenit-st-petersburg-2-scholes-sees-red-as-united-fall-to-zenits-superior-style-913381.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/man-utd-1-zenit-st-petersburg-2-scholes-sees-red-as-united-fall-to-zenits-superior-style-913381.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Scholes sees red as United fall to Zenit's superior style |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 August 2008 |access-date=17 August 2014}}</ref>

Scholes was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |last=Galvin |first=Robert |title=Paul Scholes Hall of Fame Profile |publisher=Football Hall of Fame |date=18 September 2008 |url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/pages/fame/Inductees/paulscholes.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208121833/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/pages/fame/Inductees/paulscholes.htm |archive-date=8 December 2008}}</ref> On 22 April 2009, he made his 600th appearance for United in a 2–0 win over [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=McNulty |title=Man Utd 2–0 Portsmouth |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8000560.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=22 April 2009}}</ref>

On 16 February 2010, Scholes scored his third Champions League goal of the season against [[AC Milan]] in a 3–2 win, which was also United's first away goal against Milan. This gave United their first away win over Milan and also made Scholes the first player to score against both Inter Milan and AC Milan at the [[San Siro]] in the Champions League.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sam |last=Lyon |title=AC Milan 2–3 Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8515983.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=16 February 2010 |access-date=16 February 2010}}</ref> The goal against Milan was Scholes' 25th Champions League goal in total, and, with 25 goals to his name, Scholes is the highest goal-scoring central midfielder in Champions League history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/10-best-goal-scoring-midfielders-champions-league-era/10 |title=10 best goal scoring midfielders of the Champions League era |date=6 April 2016 |website=Sportskeeda}}</ref> 

On 6 March 2010, Scholes became the 19th player in Premier League history to score 100 goals, and also the third United player after Ryan Giggs and [[Wayne Rooney]] to do so, in the [[2009–10 Premier League]] season, with the only goal in a 1–0 away win over [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Paul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/mar/06/wolves-manchester-united-premier-league |title=Paul Scholes's 100th Premier League goal gives Manchester United a scruffy win over Wolves |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 March 2010 |access-date=17 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lyon |first=Sam |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8549642.stm |title=Wolves 0–1 Man Utd |website=BBC Sport |date=6 March 2010 |access-date=6 March 2010}}</ref> On 16 April 2010, Scholes signed a new one-year contract with United, keeping him at the club until the end of the [[2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season|2010–11 season]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Paul Scholes signs new one-year contract with Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8625068.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2010 |access-date=16 April 2010}}</ref>

Scholes began the 2010–11 season strongly, displaying [[man of the match]] performances against Chelsea in the [[2010 FA Community Shield|2010 Community Shield]] on 8 August<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd boss Alex Ferguson praises Paul Scholes display |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8895987.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2010 |access-date=8 August 2010}}</ref> and eight days later in the opening fixture of the [[2010–11 Premier League|new league campaign]] against Newcastle United as he assisted two goals in a 3–0 home victory.<ref>{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdury |title=Man Utd 3–0 Newcastle |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8906329.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2010 |access-date=16 August 2010}}</ref> Scholes scored his 150th goal for United in a 2–2 away draw against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on 22 August,<ref>{{cite news |first=Phil |last=Dawkes |title=Fulham 2–2 Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8927954.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2010 |access-date=22 August 2010}}</ref> and was also awarded the [[Premier League Player of the Month]] for August 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2150165,00.html |title=Scholes is Barclays Player of the Month |date=10 September 2010 |publisher=Premier League |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=18 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118040109/http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2150165,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In April 2011, Scholes was sent off for a high challenge on [[Pablo Zabaleta]] in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, which United went on to lose 1–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/9457489.stm |title=Man City 1–0 Man Utd |last=McNulty |first=Phil |website=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2011 |access-date=17 April 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Scholes testimonial.jpg|thumb|Scholes' testimonial match at [[Old Trafford]] in 2011]]

On 28 May 2011, Scholes came on as a substitute during United's 3–1 defeat to Barcelona in the [[2011 UEFA Champions League final|Champions League final]]. Three days later, he announced his retirement with immediate effect, and joined the club's coaching staff.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13600395.stm |title=Man Utd midfielder Paul Scholes retires aged 36 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715034057/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13600395.stm |archivedate=15 July 2011 |website=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2011}}</ref> On 5 August, United held a [[testimonial match]] to honour his 17 years of service to the club. The match was played at Old Trafford against [[New York Cosmos (2013–2020)|New York Cosmos]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Scholes retires – but stays at OT |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/May/scholes-retires.aspx |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |date=31 May 2011 |access-date=31 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Scholes match announced |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Jun/scholes-testimonial-announced.aspx |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |date=10 June 2011 |access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref> United won the match 6–0, with Scholes opening the scoring with a shot from 25 yards, in front of a sell out 74,731 crowd.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===2012–2013===
Having been training with United's reserve team, Scholes' desire to play football returned and he approached Alex Ferguson and assistant manager [[Mike Phelan]] with a view to coming out of retirement, possibly for another club if they declined to have him back at United. However, the club had been going through an injury crisis in midfield, and, on 8 January 2012, Scholes made his comeback as a substitute in a 3–2 win over [[Manchester derby|neighbours]] Manchester City in the [[2011–12 FA Cup]].<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite news |first=Jacob |last=Steinberg |title=Manchester City v Manchester United – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jan/08/manchester-city-manchester-united-live |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 January 2012}}</ref> 

Scholes made his first start in the next game against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], where he scored his first goal since returning in a 3–0 victory at Old Trafford, converting a Wayne Rooney pass. This meant he had scored at least one goal in every season in the Premier League since [[1994–95 FA Premier League|1994–95]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Alistair |last=Magowan |title=Man Utd 3–0 Bolton |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/16453161.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2012 |access-date=14 January 2012}}</ref> He scored his second goal since coming back in a 2–1 away win against [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] on 26 February, heading home a cross from [[Nani (footballer)|Nani]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Rostance |title=Norwich 1–2 Man Utd |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17093446 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=26 February 2012}}</ref> On 8 April, he scored in a 2–0 win against Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford, helping United to go eight points clear of rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news |first=Neil |last=Johnston |title=Man Utd 2–0 QPR |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17576394 |website=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2012 |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref>

On 30 May, Scholes signed a one-year extension with Manchester United, keeping him at the club until summer 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 May 2012 |title=Paul Scholes signs new one-year Manchester United contract |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18066863 |access-date=30 July 2012 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Scholes will play on for Man Utd |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/scholes-will-play-on-for-man-utd.html |publisher=Premier League |date=15 May 2012 |access-date=14 July 2012 |archive-date=2 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702203611/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/scholes-will-play-on-for-man-utd.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He marked his 700th appearance for Manchester United by scoring in a 4–0 win at home to [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] on 15 September 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19528266 |title=Man Utd 4–0 Wigan |website=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2012 |access-date=15 September 2012}}</ref> This goal meant that he had scored in his 19th consecutive Premier League season, a feat only surpassed by teammate Ryan Giggs, who holds the record of 21 consecutive seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul Scholes {{!}} Man Utd Legends Profile |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/paul-scholes |access-date=17 June 2024 |website=manutd.com |language=en}}</ref>

On 11 May 2013, Scholes announced that he would make his second and final retirement from football at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scholes set to retire |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/May/paul-scholes-retires-from-football.aspx |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |date=11 May 2013 |access-date=11 May 2013}}</ref> Scholes made his 499th and final professional league appearance on 19 May 2013 against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] as a substitute. During the game, Scholes earned his 97th Premier League yellow card, at the time the third most in the history of the Premier League behind [[Lee Bowyer]] (102) and [[Kevin Davies]] (101).<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2020 |title=Premier League Hall of Fame Series: Meet Paul Scholes, the Red hair genius |url=https://plustvafrica.com/premier-league-hall-of-fame-series-meet-paul-scholes-the-red-hair-genius/ |access-date=17 June 2024 |website=Plus TV Africa |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Royton Town===
In August 2018, Scholes briefly came out of retirement from football at the age of 43 and played a match for his son Arron's team, Royton Town of the [[Manchester Football League]] Premier Division, against [[Stockport Georgians A.F.C.|Stockport Georgians]]. Royton lost the fixture 1–0.<ref name=Royton>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45385162 |title=Paul Scholes: Man Utd great plays for Royton Town in Manchester Premier League |website=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2018 |access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> Scholes made two further appearances for Royton Town, once against Poulton in the [[Lancashire County Football Association#County Cups|Lancashire FA Amateur Shield]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sep 8, Royton Town 1 Poulton 1 {{!}} Manchester Football League Limited |url=https://fulltime.thefa.com/displayFixture.html?id=18697522 |access-date=16 February 2024 |website=fulltime.thefa.com}}</ref> and in the reverse league fixture against Stockport Georgians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nov 24, Royton Town 4 Stockport Georgians 3 {{!}} Manchester Football League Limited |url=https://fulltime.thefa.com/displayFixture.html?id=18388138 |access-date=16 February 2024 |website=fulltime.thefa.com}}</ref>

==International career==
Scholes made four appearances for the [[England national under-18 football team|England national under-18 team]], scoring one goal, all of which came in 1993.<ref name="EnglandUnder18">{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU18pg5.html |title=Match Results Under 18: 1990–2000 |website=England Football Online |date=28 February 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref> He scored from a penalty kick on his debut for the team on 30 March 1993 in a 4–2 win over [[Denmark national under-18 football team|Denmark]] in a [[Friendly (association football)|friendly]] at the [[Victoria Ground]].<ref name="EnglandUnder18"/> He was part of the England team that won the [[1993 UEFA European Under-18 Championship]], which was hosted in England.<ref name="EnglandUnder18"/> Scholes played in three of England's four matches at the tournament, including the final on 25 July in which England beat [[Turkey national under-18 football team|Turkey]] 1–0 at the [[City Ground]].<ref name="EnglandUnder18"/>

Scholes made his debut for the [[England national football team|England senior team]] on 24 May 1997 as a 63rd-minute substitute against [[South Africa national soccer team|South Africa]] in a 2–1 win at [[Old Trafford]] in a [[Friendly (association football)|friendly]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/hoddle-thwarted-at-every-turn-1263535.html |title=Hoddle thwarted at every turn |first=Glenn |last=Moore |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=25 May 1997 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref> He scored his first goal for England on his full debut on his second appearance, in a 2–0 win over [[Italy national football team|Italy]] on 4 June at the [[Stade de la Beaujoire]] in the [[1997 Tournoi de France]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/mar/27/england-italy-1997-match-report-270320 |title=Goals from Ian Wright and Paul Scholes helped England beat Italy at 'Le Tournoi' |first=Tom |last=Dean |publisher=The Football Association |date=27 March 2020 |access-date=17 November 2023}}<br />{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-scholes-and-wright-put-italy-in-shade-1254306.html |title=Scholes and Wright put Italy in shade |first=Glenn |last=Moore |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=4 June 1997 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref> He was included in the England squad for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]. England were grouped with [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]], [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]] and [[Romania national football team|Romania]]. During England's first World Cup group match against Tunisia, Scholes sealed a 2–0 victory with a goal late in the game.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

His international career continued after England's elimination from the World Cup by [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] after a penalty shoot-out in the first knock-out round. On 27 March 1999, Scholes managed a hat-trick for England in a game against [[Poland national football team|Poland]]. In addition, Scholes scored both goals in England's 2–0 win at [[Hampden Park]] over [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] in the [[UEFA Euro 2000]] play-off first leg, sealing a 2–1 aggregate win and qualification for the finals tournament. In a qualifier against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] that June, Scholes became the first and last England player to be sent off in an international match at the old [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].<ref name="observer best"/>

With the turn of the century, Scholes became a prominent player in England's midfield, becoming a first-choice selection for the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]]. Immediately prior to Euro 2004, however, Scholes was played out of position on the left midfield to accommodate the pairing of [[Steven Gerrard]] and [[Frank Lampard]] in central midfield, starting on the left for the last five matches of his international career.<ref name="woe">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article465382.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629125454/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article465382.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |title=Retirement of Scholes adds to England woe |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=4 August 2004 |access-date=19 February 2009 |location=London |first=Matt |last=Dickinson}}</ref> Scholes announced his retirement from international football in August 2004, citing his family life and his club career with Manchester United as being more important.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Dickinson |title=Scholes quits England |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/3531982.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2004 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref>

Following the departure of England manager [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]] in 2006, there was speculation regarding Scholes making himself available for international duty again under new manager [[Steve McClaren]]. In October 2006, McClaren said that he had personally asked Scholes twice to rejoin England, but Scholes declined.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/oct/02/newsstory.sport5 |title=Scholes' no to England |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 October 2006 |access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref> In May 2010, McClaren's successor [[Fabio Capello]] approached Scholes about a return to international football in the run-up to the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]], but Scholes again rejected the offer, saying he would prefer to spend time with his family.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fabio Capello makes surprise England World Cup choices |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8673706.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2010 |access-date=11 May 2010}}</ref> On 7 June 2010, Scholes stated that if Capello had given him more time and asked earlier, he would have probably taken the opportunity.<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup 2010: Timing wrong for Scholes England return |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8726935.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2010 |access-date=7 June 2010}}</ref> On 27 July, Scholes expressed his disappointment in not taking the opportunity to play at another World Cup, saying he may have made a mistake.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paul Scholes hints at England World Cup regret |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8858276.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=27 July 2010 |access-date=27 July 2010}}</ref>

==Player profile==
===Style of play===
Scholes was highly regarded for his technical skills, and renowned for his accurate passing, intelligent movement and powerful shooting from long range. Though he played mostly as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]] in his youth and early professional career, Scholes matured into a well-rounded, tenacious, and versatile [[playmaker]] capable of playing in any [[Midfielder|midfield]] position, often alternating between [[Defensive midfielder|defensive]], [[Attacking midfielder|offensive]], [[Wide midfielder|wide]] and playmaking roles, due to his stamina, vision, work-rate, and positional sense. Scholes was renowned for his late attacking runs and ability to combine with teammates, as well as an excellent capacity to read the game and control the tempo of play, which enabled him to function in a [[Deep-lying playmaker|deep-seated creative]] role as well as in a [[Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box]] role in the [[Central midfielder|centre]] of the pitch. He played in the centre for much of the earlier part of his career, while he was instead deployed in a deeper role in the later part of his career. Scholes possessed an extraordinary range of passing and frequently initiated dangerous attacking plays after winning back possession.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-scholes-steven-gerrard-who-7001944 |title=Who is better: Scholes or Gerrard? |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |access-date=18 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11966866/paul-scholes-myth-england-career-not-wasted-by-sven-goran-eriksson |title=Paul Scholes' myth: England career not wasted by Sven Goran Eriksson |website=Sky Sports |last1=Bate |first1=Adam |date=4 April 2020 |access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref>

In an interview with ''[[FourFourTwo]]'', Scholes admitted to not being blessed with notable pace or dribbling skills, and attributed his calmness and ability to retain possession under pressure to having a sharp brain, excellent awareness, and good link-up play.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/training/paul-scholes-passing-playmakers-and-scoring-goals |title=Paul Scholes: Passing, playmakers and scoring goals |magazine=FourFourTwo |first=Alec |last=Fenn|access-date=6 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/7957851/Manchester-United-pass-master-Paul-Scholes-finds-a-deeper-lying-freshness.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/7957851/Manchester-United-pass-master-Paul-Scholes-finds-a-deeper-lying-freshness.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Manchester United pass-master Paul Scholes finds a deeper-lying freshness |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Duncan |last=White |date=21 August 2010 |access-date=15 October 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/marcottis-musings/62/post/3666864/its-time-for-fifa-to-fix-the-international-calendar-and-reduce-player-fatigue |title=Paul Pogba's record transfer to Man United has risk but is smart business |publisher=ESPN |first=Gabriele |last=Marcotti |date=9 August 2016 |access-date=15 October 2018}}</ref> He was also used in a more [[Playmaker#Advanced playmakers|advanced creative]] role on occasion, as a [[Second striker|deep-lying forward]] behind an out-and-out striker.<ref name="two minds"/> At international level, he was also occasionally used out of position on the [[Midfielder#Wide midfielder|left flank]].<ref name="woe"/>

Scholes received criticism for his discipline, particularly regarding his tackling, which was questioned as frequently inept by multiple pundits, fans and Scholes himself.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/hit-or-miss-paul-scholes-0gffkrg9pwz |title=Hit or miss: Paul Scholes |newspaper=[[The Times]] |access-date=14 June 2011 |date=24 October 2006 |location=London |first=Fiona |last=Hamilton}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/2011-04-18/paul-scholes-most-awful-challenges-and-cards-his-career |title=Paul Scholes – the most awful challenges and cards of his career |publisher=TalkSport |date=18 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725162519/http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/2011-04-18/paul-scholes-most-awful-challenges-and-cards-his-career |archive-date=25 July 2011}}</ref> In addition, the potential for malicious intent in some of his tackles was raised,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/aug/21/paul-scholes-unfair-arsene-wenger |title=Paul Scholes's tackles are 'unfair' not clumsy, says Arsène Wenger |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=14 June 2011 |date=21 August 2010 |location=London |first=David |last=Hytner}}</ref> and it has been suggested that he escaped greater censure due to the admiration that many have for the rest of his game.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/2011-06-01/paul-scholes-tackling-michael-owens-diving-kevin-davies-fouls-players-pundits-allow-get-away-it |title=PAUL SCHOLES' TACKLING, MICHAEL OWEN'S DIVING, KEVIN DAVIES' FOULS: PLAYERS THE PUNDITS ALLOW TO GET AWAY WITH IT |publisher=TalkSport |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref> Arsenal manager [[Arsène Wenger]] criticised Scholes' tackling, stating, "For me he was not a fair player. There's a little bit of a darker side in him, sometimes, that I did not like. I respect him highly as a quality player but I did not like some things he did on the football pitch."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/7957227/Manchester-Uniteds-Paul-Scholes-not-a-fair-player-says-Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/7957227/Manchester-Uniteds-Paul-Scholes-not-a-fair-player-says-Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Manchester United's Paul Scholes not a fair player, says Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |date=20 August 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Scholes said in an interview that he was not a bad tackler, but that, "If someone got me early in the game, it was always in the back of my mind that I needed to get them back", and suggested that the bookings he received towards the end of his career were influenced by his reputation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scholes defends tackling |url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/965784/man-united%27s-paul-scholes-defends-bad-tackling,-blames-revenge?cc=5901 |website=ESPN FC |date=4 October 2011 |access-date=19 December 2013}}</ref>

===Reception===
Many of Scholes' peers,<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |last=Austin|first=Simon|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7408010.stm|title=Why Scholes is United's talisman|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=20 May 2008|access-date=13 October 2008}}</ref><ref name="theguardian">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/22/paul-scholes-tributes-600-games-manchester-united|title=Paul Scholes earns plaudits from football's elite|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=22 April 2009|accessdate=24 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Ogden|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/5198755/Paul-Scholes...-What-they-say.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/5198755/Paul-Scholes...-What-they-say.html |archive-date=11 January 2022|url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Paul Scholes... What they say|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=22 December 2009|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> including [[Ronaldinho]],<ref name="telegraph2">{{cite news |last=Ogden|first=Mark|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8547825/Manchester-Uniteds-Paul-Scholes-lauded-by-players-and-coaches-around-the-world-after-announcing-retirement.html|title=Manchester United's Paul Scholes lauded by players and coaches around the world after announcing retirement|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=31 May 2011|accessdate=25 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="independent">{{cite news |last=Lawton|first=James|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/james-lawton-farewell-glorious-scholes-but-isn-t-it-time-for-giggs-to-bow-out-as-well-2291420.html|title=Farewell glorious Scholes. But isn't it time for Giggs to bow out as well?|work=[[The Independent]]|date=1 June 2011|accessdate=24 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="huffingtonpost">{{cite news |last=Luckhurst|first=Samuel|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/12/paul-scholes-retires-praise_n_3262148.html|title=Paul Scholes Retires: Manchester United Maestro Praised By Footballing Greats|work=[[HuffPost|The Huffington Post]]|date=12 May 2013|accessdate=24 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="essentiallysports">{{cite news |last=George|first=Dhruv|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/best-quotes-ginger-prince-paul-scholes/|title=Best Quotes on The Ginger Prince- Paul Scholes|work=EssentiallySports |date=31 July 2015|accessdate=18 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="tribuna">{{cite news |last=Luckhurst|first=Samuel|url=https://tribuna.com/en/news/manutd-2020-03-06-he-is-the-phenomenon-paul-scholes-turns-45-here-are-nine-quotes-celebrating-his-legacy/|title='He is the phenomenon': Paul Scholes turns 45, here are nine quotes celebrating his legacy|work=Tribuna.com|date=19 November 2019|accessdate=20 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="talksport">{{cite news |last=Fordham|first=Josh|url=https://talksport.com/football/820556/paul-scholes-england-man-utd-highlights-zidane-ronaldinho-guardiola/|title=legend Manchester United icon Paul Scholes was hailed by Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho envied him, and Pep Guardiola wished he was a teammate of his|work=talkSPORT|date=16 November 2021|accessdate=25 September 2023}}</ref> [[Andrés Iniesta]],<ref name="Iniesta">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2011-05-21-iniesta-praises-living-legends-giggs-and-scholes/|title=Iniesta praises 'living legends' Giggs and Scholes|work=[[TimesLIVE]]|date=21 May 2011|accessdate=24 September 2023}}</ref> [[Luís Figo]], [[Edgar Davids]],<ref name="telegraph2"/><ref name="independent"/><ref name="huffingtonpost"/><ref name="tribuna"/><ref name="talksport"/> [[Arjen Robben]],<ref name="Robben">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/paul-scholes-undecided-on-manchester-united-future-2194910.html|title=Manchester United deny making Sneijder bid|work=[[The Independent]]|date=11 July 2010|accessdate=30 September 2023}}</ref> [[Patrick Vieira]], [[Juan Sebastián Verón]],<ref name="telegraph2"/><ref name="independent"/><ref name="huffingtonpost"/><ref name="tribuna"/><ref name="talksport"/> [[Deco]]<ref name="Deco">{{cite news |last=Gallagher|first=Joe|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2619580-deco-says-paul-scholes-was-better-than-frank-lampard-and-steven-gerrard|title=Deco Says Paul Scholes Was Better Than Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=25 February 2016|accessdate=9 October 2023}}</ref> and [[Xabi Alonso]],<ref name="Alonso">{{cite news |last=Davies|first=Gregg|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/alonso-hails-united-veteran-scholes|title=Alonso hails United veteran Scholes|work=[[FourFourTwo]]|date=10 January 2023|accessdate=27 September 2023}}</ref> have spoken about their admiration for his talent. Some of his former teammates, including [[Cristiano Ronaldo]],<ref name="huffingtonpost"/> [[Wayne Rooney]]<ref name="Rooney1">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/paul-scholes-is-best-ive-played-with-says-wayne-rooney-ltzjlv85vhq|title=Paul Scholes is 'best I've played with', says Wayne Rooney|work=[[The Times]]|date=31 May 2011|access-date=24 September 2023}}</ref> and [[Alan Shearer]],<ref name="Shearer">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/newcastle-legend-shearer-says-man-utds-scholes-best-premier-league-has-seen-3124641|title=Newcastle legend Shearer says Man Utd's Scholes best Premier League has seen|work=Tribal Football|date=27 April 2012|accessdate=24 September 2023}}</ref> have rated him as the best player they have played with. His former managers, [[Glenn Hoddle]]<ref name="Hoddle">{{cite news |last=O'Callaghan|first=Rory|url=https://www.sportbible.com/football/england-world-cup-paul-scholes-manchester-united-news-685285-20221202|title=Former England Manager Glenn Hoddle Says Paul Scholes Was The Best Player He Ever Coached|work=[[SPORTbible]]|date=22 February 2022|accessdate=16 October 2023}}</ref> and [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]],<ref name="Eriksson">{{cite news |last=Cox|first=Brad|url=https://www.sportbible.com/football/england-world-cup-paul-scholes-manchester-united-news-685285-20221202|title="He had everything..." – Sven-Goran Eriksson names the most talented player of England's 'Golden Generation'|work=[[SPORTbible]]|date=2 December 2022|accessdate=9 October 2023}}</ref> have named him as the best or most talented player they coached.

In November 2004,<ref name="Sócrates2">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16028602|title=Socrates stories: BBC Brasil recalls footballing great|work=[[BBC News]]|date=5 December 2011|accessdate= }}</ref> when former Brazil midfielder and captain [[Sócrates]] was asked for his views on the English game he replied, "...I think of Paul Scholes. He's good enough to play for Brazil. I love to watch Scholes, to see him pass..."<ref name="Sócrates1">{{cite news |last=Ponting|first=Ivan|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/socrates-footballer-who-led-one-of-brazil-s-greatest-sides-6272656.html|title=Socrates: Footballer who led one of Brazil's greatest sides|work=[[The Independent]]|date=6 November 2011|accessdate=24 September 2023}}</ref> Former England midfielder and Manchester United captain Sir [[Bobby Charlton]] commented, "Paul is always so in control and pin-point accurate with his passing – a beautiful player to watch."<ref name="James">{{cite news |last=James|first=Stuart|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/22/paul-scholes-manchester-united-alex-ferguson|title=Sir Alex Ferguson hails Paul Scholes as he approaches 600-game for Manchester United|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=22 April 2009|accessdate=26 September 2023}}</ref>

When former Real Madrid midfielder and France captain [[Zinedine Zidane]] was asked who was his toughest opponent, he replied, "Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the greatest midfielder of his generation."<ref name="theguardian"/> In 2009, Barcelona forward and France captain, and former Arsenal captain [[Thierry Henry]] said, "Without any doubt the best player in the Premiership has to be Paul Scholes. He knows how to do everything, and he is the one who directs the way his team plays. On top of that, he has indestructible mental strength, and he is a genuine competitor."<ref name="theguardian"/>

Several former teammates including Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney have revealed his nickname in the Manchester United dressing room was '[[SatNav]]' (an abbreviation of Satellite Navigation) due to the accuracy of his long-range passing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Innes |first=Richard |date=4 March 2015 |title=Paul Scholes hit by a ball on live TV – and takes it remarkably well |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/paul-scholes-hit-ball-live-5274309 |access-date=24 November 2024 |website=Mirror}}</ref> 

In February 2011, Barcelona and Spain midfielder [[Xavi (footballer, born 1980)|Xavi]] rated him as the best player in his position in the past two decades commenting, "A role model. For me – and I really mean this – he's the best central midfielder I've seen in the last 15, 20 years... He's spectacular, he has it all: the last pass, goals, he's strong, he doesn't lose the ball, vision. If he'd been Spanish he might have been rated more highly."<ref name="Xavi">{{cite news |last=Lowe|first=Sid|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/feb/11/xavi-barcelona-spain-interview|title=I'm a romantic, says Xavi, heartbeat of Barcelona and Spain|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=6 January 2014|accessdate=6 January 2014}}</ref> Former Juventus midfielder and Italy captain [[Andrea Pirlo]] selected him as the only English player in his dream Champions League XI and commented, "You could see every pass, every decision, was based on his intelligence and understanding."<ref name="Pirlo">{{cite news |last=Sheen|first=Tom|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/andrea-pirlo-dream-xi-paul-scholes-the-only-englishman-as-juventus-star-leaves-out-cristiano-ronaldo-in-favour-of-pippo-inzaghi-9992885.html|title=Andrea Pirlo dream XI: Paul Scholes the only Englishman as Juventus star leaves out Cristiano Ronaldo in favour of Pippo Inzaghi|work=[[The Independent]]|date=21 January 2015|accessdate=27 September 2023}}</ref>

In February 2011, Manchester United teammate [[Ryan Giggs]] hailed him Manchester United's greatest ever player and commented, "The way he can control the tempo of games, and his range of passing, are both incredible."<ref name="Giggs">{{cite news |last=Mannion|first=Damian|url=https://talksport.com/uncategorized/99712/cantona-scholes-beckham-and-keane-ryan-giggs-picks-his-greatest-ever-man-united-players/|title=Cantona, Scholes, Beckham and Keane: Ryan Giggs picks his greatest ever Man United players!|work=talkSPORT|date=1 February 2011|accessdate=24 September 2023}}</ref> Former Manchester United teammate [[Carlos Tevez]] described Scholes as the best passer whom he had ever played alongside,<ref name="Tevez">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/league-name/story/2314969/headline|title=Carlos Tevez denies Lionel Messi feud, hails Paul Scholes as best passer|publisher=ESPN FC|date=24 February 2015|accessdate=12 September 2019}}</ref> and former England and United striker [[Michael Owen]] remarked "Nobody on this planet had a range of passing like Paul Scholes."<ref name="essentiallysports"/> Former Denmark goalkeeper and another former United teammate [[Peter Schmeichel]] commented, "His reading of the game is unsurpassed."<ref name="telegraph1"/><ref name="bbc"/>

In May 2008, Italy and former Juventus manager [[Marcello Lippi]] commented, "he combines great talent and technical ability with mobility, determination and a superb shot. He is an all-round midfielder who possesses character and quality in abundance."<ref name="bbc"/> In August 2010, BBC football pundit and former Liverpool defender [[Alan Hansen]] described him as "one of the top three to five players to have ever played in the Premier League", and commented, "His passing, movement and technique set examples to everyone."<ref name="Hansen">{{cite news |last=Hansen|first=Alan|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8922460.stm|title=Alan Hansen's column|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=17 August 2010|access-date= }}</ref> In May 2011, Barcelona manager [[Pep Guardiola]] described him as "the best midfielder of his generation".<ref name="Guardiola">{{cite news |last=Landolina|first=Salvatore|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2011/05/20/2495489/pep-guardiola-manchester-uniteds-paul-scholes-is-the-best-of-his-|title=Pep Guardiola: Manchester United's Paul Scholes is the best of his generation|location=Barcelona|work=goal.com|date=20 May 2011|accessdate=20 May 2011}}</ref> In August 2017, England manager and Scholes' former England teammate [[Gareth Southgate]] said, "You've got very good players and then there are top players. In my time in the England setup, [[Paul Gascoigne]], Paul Scholes and [Wayne] Rooney just had that little bit more than all the others. And we are talking high‑level people there, players like [[Steven Gerrard]], [[Frank Lampard]] and [[David Beckham]]."<ref name="Southgate">{{cite news |last=Wilson|first=Paul|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/26/gareth-southgate-wayne-rooney-england|title=Gareth Southgate: Wayne Rooney stood out even among golden generation|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=26 August 2017|accessdate=14 March 2019}}</ref>

The former head of Manchester United's youth team [[Eric Harrison (footballer)|Eric Harrison]] commented, "his positional sense is second to none and he knows what's around him before he receives the ball. Paul has no great pace or power, but he makes up for that with his reading of the game, his awareness and his superb touch."<ref name="bbc"/> Former Manchester United manager Sir [[Alex Ferguson]] called him "one of the greatest football brains Manchester United has ever had".<ref name="telegraph1"/><ref name="Scholesreaction">{{cite news |last=Swan|first=Rob|url=https://www.givemesport.com/1785980-paul-scholess-reaction-to-praise-from-messi-ronaldo-zidane-and-other-football-greats/|title=Paul Scholes's reaction to praise from Messi, Ronaldo, Zidane and other football greats|work=GiveMeSport|date=16 November 2021|accessdate=25 September 2023}}</ref>

Many, including Scholes' national teammates, have said that he was one of the few English players capable of "pulling the strings" in midfield, controlling the tempo, reading and dictating the flow of the game, and distributing the play where England often have been criticized for being nervous on the ball and giving away possession.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/inclusion-of-paul-scholes-could-have-made-difference--reaction-to-england-exit-7880279.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/inclusion-of-paul-scholes-could-have-made-difference--reaction-to-england-exit-7880279.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Inclusion of Paul Scholes could have made difference – reaction to England exit |newspaper=The Independent|date=25 June 2012 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/euro-2012/england/120628/exclusive-wilkins-scholes-could-have-been-englands-pirlo-euro-2012-175396 |title=Exclusive – Wilkins: Scholes could have been England's Pirlo at Euro 2012 |publisher=Talksport|date=28 June 2012}}</ref>

==Football ownership and coaching career==
[[File:ScholesyCO92.jpg|thumb|upright|Scholes in 2015]]

In 2014, it was announced that Scholes, along with fellow Manchester United legends [[Gary Neville]], [[Ryan Giggs]], [[Nicky Butt]], and [[Phil Neville]], had agreed a deal to purchase [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]] ahead of the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keegan |first=Mike |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/class-92-buy-salford-city-6887407 |title=Class of '92 stars agree deal to buy Salford City FC |date=27 March 2014 |access-date=27 March 2014 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/9235598/gary-neville-phil-neville-ryan-giggs-paul-scholes-and-nicky-butt-agree-deal-for-salford-city-fc |title=Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt agree deal for Salford City FC |date=27 March 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |website=Sky Sports}}</ref> with plans to get the club to the [[Football League]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Robson |first=James |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/class-92-big-plans-salford-7576928 |title=Class of 92 have big plans for Salford City |date=7 August 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> The group announced they would take part in a special friendly, with Salford facing a [[The Class of '92|Class of '92]] team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keegan |first=Mike |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-class-92-play-7094821 |title=Class of 92 to play in Salford City friendly |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/09/class-of-92-ryan-giggs-salford-city-paul-scholes |title=Manchester United's Class of 92 set to face Salford City in friendly |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ryan-giggs-and-his-class-of-92-teammates-to-face-salford-fc-in-preseason-friendly-as-manchester-uniteds-interim-manager-ponders-his-future-9342530.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ryan-giggs-and-his-class-of-92-teammates-to-face-salford-fc-in-preseason-friendly-as-manchester-uniteds-interim-manager-ponders-his-future-9342530.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Ryan Giggs and Manchester United 'Class of 92' team-mates to face Salford FC |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |newspaper=The Independent}}</ref> On 22 September, the group agreed to sell a 50% stake in the club to billionaire [[Peter Lim]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Jamie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/22/salford-city-peter-lim-class-of-92 |title=Peter Lim to buy 50% stake in Salford City from Class of '92 |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11113782/Singapore-businessman-Peter-Lim-joins-forces-with-ex-Manchester-United-players-and-invests-in-Salford-City-FC.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11113782/Singapore-businessman-Peter-Lim-joins-forces-with-ex-Manchester-United-players-and-invests-in-Salford-City-FC.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Singapore businessman Peter Lim joins forces with ex-Manchester United players and invests in Salford City FC |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Having previously informally helped out Nicky Butt with the Manchester United under-19 team during the first half of the 2013–14 season, Scholes agreed to join the United first-team coaching staff on a temporary basis after the dismissal of [[David Moyes]] until the end of the season as a favour to friend and former teammate Ryan Giggs,<ref>{{cite news |last=Ogden |first=Mark |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/11255799/Ryan-Giggs-I-knew-I-was-ready-to-coach-Manchester-United-because-I-didnt-miss-playing-that-much.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/11255799/Ryan-Giggs-I-knew-I-was-ready-to-coach-Manchester-United-because-I-didnt-miss-playing-that-much.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Interview with Ryan Giggs |date=27 November 2014 |access-date=7 December 2014 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> following the latter's appointment as interim player-manager on 23 April 2014.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

In January 2015, Scholes and Phil Neville were [[caretaker manager]]s of Salford for a 2–1 win over [[Kendal Town F.C.|Kendal Town]], between the dismissal of [[Phil Power]] and appointment of Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scholes and Neville step in as Salford City caretakers |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/blogs/sport/story/386039.html |access-date=23 October 2019 |website=ESPN FC |date=4 January 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023165031/http://en.espn.co.uk/blogs/sport/story/386039.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 19 November 2017, Scholes and his old teammate, Ryan Giggs, were invited to join in training works for [[PVF Football Academy]] in Vietnam. With [[Ryan Giggs]], who was chosen to be a development director, Scholes worked as a technical advisor.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

On 11 February 2019, Scholes was appointed as manager of [[EFL League Two|League Two]] club [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Latics Appoint Paul Scholes As New Manager |url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2019/february/11022019-paul-scholes/ |publisher=Oldham Athletic A.F.C. |date=11 February 2019 |access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref> having been cleared to take the position by the [[English Football League]] in light of his ownership of Salford City.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paul Scholes: Oldham Athletic set to name ex-Man Utd midfielder as manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47176079 |website=BBC Sport |date=10 February 2019 |access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref> On 14 March, Scholes resigned as manager, having won one of his seven games in charge,<ref name="OldhamEnd">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47570578 |title=Paul Scholes leaves role as Oldham Athletic manager |website=BBC Sport |date=14 March 2019 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref> following interference from club owner Abdallah Lemsagam in first-team affairs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Simon |title=Paul Scholes quits Oldham: 'Sadness at what might have been' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47578195 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=15 March 2019 |date=15 March 2019 |quote=Unfortunately it became clear that I would not be able to operate as intended and was led to believe prior to taking on the role.}}</ref>

On 12 October 2020, Scholes was appointed interim head coach of Salford City, following the departure of [[Graham Alexander]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12102506/paul-scholes-named-salford-city-interim-head-coach-after-graham-alexander-sacking |title=Paul Scholes named Salford City interim head coach after Graham Alexander sacking |date=12 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=Sky Sports}}</ref> Scholes' first game in charge was a 1–0 defeat to Port Vale on 17 October,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/port-vale-vs-salford-city/report/430325 |title=Port Vale 1–0 Salford: Paul Scholes suffers defeat in first game in temporary charge of Ammies |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=31 October 2020 |website=Sky Sports}}</ref> and he quickly ruled out taking the position on a permanent basis, citing the need for a more experienced manager.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Regan |url=http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2020/10/19/we-need-to-find-an-experienced-manager-paul-scholes-rules-himself-out-of-job-as-salford-narrowly-lose-to-port-vale/ |title="We need to find an experienced manager" – Paul Scholes rules himself out of job as Salford narrowly lose to Port Vale |website=Salford Now |date=19 October 2020 |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> His first win came three days later with a 3–0 win against struggling [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54519218 |title=Salford City 3–0 Southend United |website=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> Scholes left the role on 4 November, following the permanent appointment of [[Richie Wellens]] to the post.<ref name="SalfordEnd">{{cite news |title=Richie Wellens: Salford City name Swindon Town boss as new manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54794975 |website=BBC Sport |date=4 November 2020 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>

==Outside football==
===Media career===
In July 2014, Scholes became a pundit after signing a four-year deal with [[BT Sport]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/manchester-united-legend-paul-scholes-signs-for-bt-sport-on-four-year-deal-9635554.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/manchester-united-legend-paul-scholes-signs-for-bt-sport-on-four-year-deal-9635554.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Paul Scholes signs for BT Sport on four-year-deal |date=29 July 2014 |newspaper=The Independent|access-date=27 May 2017}}</ref> He would also be featuring on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s coverage of Champions League and England internationals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/29/paul-scholes-manchester-united-bt-pundit |title=Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes signs for BT |date=29 July 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10997814/Former-Manchester-United-midfielder-Paul-Scholes-joins-BT-Sport-as-pundit.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10997814/Former-Manchester-United-midfielder-Paul-Scholes-joins-BT-Sport-as-pundit.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes joins BT Sport as pundit |date=29 July 2014 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=7 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Scholes previously made an appearance for [[Sky Sports]] as a pundit during the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-scholes-sky-sports-pundit-6914382 |title=Scholes the pundit was a revelation |last=Leigh |first=Neil |date=3 April 2014 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref> In August, he agreed to become a columnist for ''[[The Independent]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/manchester-united-legend-paul-scholes-signs-for-the-independent-to-write-exclusive-column-9654055.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/manchester-united-legend-paul-scholes-signs-for-the-independent-to-write-exclusive-column-9654055.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Manchester United legend Paul Scholes signs for The Independent to write exclusive column |date=7 August 2014 |newspaper=The Independent|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref> Scholes has been praised for his passionate and no nonsense style of punditry.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/11/how-paul-scholes-turned-himself-into-footballs-most-outspoken-pu/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/03/11/how-paul-scholes-turned-himself-into-footballs-most-outspoken-pu/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=How Paul Scholes turned himself into football's most outspoken pundit |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=27 May 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In October 2025, Scholes announced that he had left commentary, in order to accommodate the need for routine for his 20-year-old autistic son.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Bobbie |title=Scholes stopped commentary work to care for son |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5ylkrkle22o |access-date=30 October 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

===Endorsements===
Scholes featured in [[EA Sports]]' [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game series]]. He was on the cover for the international edition of ''[[FIFA 2001]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifauteam.com/international-fifa-13-covers/ |title=International FIFA 13 Covers |date=24 August 2012 |website=fifauteam.com|access-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> and was named in the Ultimate Team Legends for ''[[FIFA 17]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.easports.com/fifa/ultimate-team/features/new-fut-legends |title=New Legends in FUT 17 |publisher=EA Sports |access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>

Scholes has endorsed sportswear company [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] and appeared in Nike commercials. In a global Nike advertising campaign in the run-up to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, he starred in a "[[Secret Tournament]]" commercial (branded "Scorpion KO") directed by [[Terry Gilliam]], appearing alongside football players such as Thierry Henry, [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], Edgar Davids, [[Fabio Cannavaro]], [[Francesco Totti]], [[Ronaldinho]], [[Luís Figo]] and [[Hidetoshi Nakata]], with former player Eric Cantona the tournament "referee".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |title=A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts |publisher=Nike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602055510/http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |archive-date=2 June 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/03/advertising.worldcupfootball2002?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |title=Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference |last=Cozens |first=Claire |date=3 April 2002 |newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=21 July 2012}}</ref>

===University Academy 92===
Along with other United players who won the 1992 FA Youth Cup, Scholes has proposed a university in Greater Manchester, named [[University Academy 92]], which would offer "broader courses than traditional degrees" and attract students who "otherwise might not go on to higher education".<ref name="guardian2017">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/sep/20/manchester-uniteds-class-of-92-unveil-plans-to-open-university |title=Manchester United's 'class of 92' unveil plans to open university |last=Cooper |first=Imogen |date=20 September 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Paul Scholes 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Scholes in 2008]]

Scholes is [[asthma]]tic,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/treatment_room/newsid_2340000/2340911.stm |title=Athletes with asthma |access-date=13 October 2008 |website=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2002}}</ref> and suffered from [[Osgood–Schlatter disease]] (a knee condition that affects young athletes).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/sunderland-boss-bruce-man-utd-were-concerned-scholes-would-not-make-it-1059871 |title=Sunderland boss Bruce: Man Utd were concerned Scholes would not make it |website=Tribal Football |date=21 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824192843/http://www.tribalfootball.com/sunderland-boss-bruce-man-utd-were-concerned-scholes-would-not-make-it-1059871 |archive-date=24 August 2010}}</ref> He married his childhood sweetheart, Claire (née Froggatt),<ref name="nee">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/2963589.stm |title=Revitalised Scholes sorely missed |last=Fordyce |first=Tom |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2003 |access-date=3 August 2011}}</ref> in [[Wrexham]], Wales, in February 1999.<ref>{{cite news |last=Easton |first=Edward  |date=26 September 2024 |title=I played for Man Utd - Sir Alex Ferguson was 'very clever' with how he communicated with our partners |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-girlfriends-alex-ferguson-30012733|work=[[Manchester Evening News]]|access-date=31 October 2025}}</ref> They live in the village of [[Grasscroft]] in Greater Manchester,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-united-legend-paul-scholes-866712 |title=Manchester United legend Paul Scholes signs for Oldham ... Council |access-date=6 April 2016 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=13 January 2013 |first=Mike |last=Keegan}}</ref> and have a daughter and two sons, the younger of whom has [[autism]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-united-legend-paul-scholes-871962 |title=Manchester United legend Paul Scholes calls his children 'a new generation of Red Devils' |date=29 September 2011 |access-date=26 March 2014 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> His daughter [[Alicia Scholes]] is [[Netball Superleague]] player and member of the [[England national netball team]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alicia Scholes |url=https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/player/alicia-scholes/ |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=England Netball |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, Scholes and his wife separated, and shared custody of their disabled son.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brophy |first1=Joe |title='Everything is for him' – Paul Scholes quit job to devote life to autistic son |url=https://talksport.com/football/3690126/paul-scholes-quit-punditry-job-son-autism-man-united/ |access-date=30 October 2025 |work=Talksport |date=30 October 2025}}</ref>

His off-field personality is said by some to be in stark contrast to the attitude of the stereotypical professional footballer.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jamie |last=Jackson |title=Simply the best |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/18/manchesterunited.championsleague1 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 May 2008 |access-date=8 December 2010 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Ornstein |title=Paul Scholes still going strong at Manchester United |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8927818.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2010 |access-date=8 December 2010}}</ref> In an interview given before [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]], Scholes described his ideal day as "train in the morning, pick up my children from school, play with them, have tea, put them to bed and then watch a bit of TV".<ref name="not much time">{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Tongue |title=Paul Scholes: 'I know there isn't much time left so I have to enjoy it' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/paul-scholes-i-know-there-isnt-much-time-left-so-i-have-to-enjoy-it-799562.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/paul-scholes-i-know-there-isnt-much-time-left-so-i-have-to-enjoy-it-799562.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=23 March 2008 |access-date=13 October 2008}}</ref>

[[Roy Keane]] once highlighted that Scholes did not like the "celebrity bullshit" side of professional sports.<ref name=bsh/> With regard to his shunning of celebrity, and instead keeping to his intention to solely focus on doing his job ("a professional footballer"), Keane applauded Scholes after his retirement.<ref name=bsh>{{cite news |last=Ogden |first=Mark |title=Paul Scholes lauded by players and coaches around the world after announcing retirement |quote=No celebrity bulls**t, no self-promotion |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=31 May 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8547825/Manchester-Uniteds-Paul-Scholes-lauded-by-players-and-coaches-around-the-world-after-announcing-retirement.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8547825/Manchester-Uniteds-Paul-Scholes-lauded-by-players-and-coaches-around-the-world-after-announcing-retirement.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=26 August 2013 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Scholes is known to enjoy betting on football. In June 2019, he was fined and warned over his future conduct by [[The Football Association]] (FA) after placing bets worth £26,159 on matches during his time as a director of Salford City. At a tribunal, he was found to have placed 140 bets over three and a half years, in contravention of the FA's gambling rules. The FA fined Scholes £8,000 and asked him to contribute to the costs of the tribunal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/19/paul-scholes-fined-betting-fa-salford |title=Paul Scholes apologises after being fined £8,000 for breaking betting rules |website=The Guardian |date=19 June 2019}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable nowrap" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[EFL Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="20"|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[1994–95 Manchester United F.C. season|1994–95]]<ref name="ENFA">{{cite web |url=https://www.enfa.co.uk/ |title=Player Details: Paul Scholes |website=English National Football Archive |access-date=17 November 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|17||5||3||0||3||2||2{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||0||0||25||7
|-
|[[1995–96 Manchester United F.C. season|1995–96]]<ref name="ENFA"/>
|Premier League
|26||10||2||1||1||2||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||1||colspan="2"|—||31||14
|-
|[[1996–97 Manchester United F.C. season|1996–97]]<ref name="ENFA"/>
|Premier League
|24||3||2||2||2||1||4{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||0||1{{efn|name=CharityShield|Appearance in [[FA Charity Shield]]}}||0||33||6
|-
|[[1997–98 Manchester United F.C. season|1997–98]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|1997|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|31||8||2||0||1||0||7{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||2||1{{efn|name=CharityShield}}||0||42||10
|-
|[[1998–99 Manchester United F.C. season|1998–99]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|1998|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|31||6||6||1||1||0||12{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||4||1{{efn|name=CharityShield}}||0||51||11
|-
|[[1999–2000 Manchester United F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|1999|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|31||9||colspan="2"|—||0||0||11{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||3||3{{efn|One appearance in FA Charity Shield, one in [[European Super Cup]], one in [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]}}||0||45||12
|-
|[[2000–01 Manchester United F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2000|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|32||6||0||0||0||0||12{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||6||1{{efn|name=CharityShield}}||0||45||12
|-
|[[2001–02 Manchester United F.C. season|2001–02]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2001|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|35||8||2||0||0||0||13{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||1||1{{efn|name=CharityShield}}||0||51||9
|-
|[[2002–03 Manchester United F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2002|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|33||14||3||1||6||3||10{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||2||colspan="2"|—||52||20
|-
|[[2003–04 Manchester United F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2003|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|28||9||6||4||0||0||5{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||1||1{{efn|name=CommunityShield|Appearance in [[FA Community Shield]]}}||0||40||14
|-
|[[2004–05 Manchester United F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2004|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|33||9||6||3||2||0||7{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||0||1{{efn|name=CommunityShield}}||0||49||12
|-
|[[2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2005|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|20||2||0||0||0||0||7{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||1||colspan="2"|—||27||3
|-
|[[2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2006|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|30||6||4||0||0||0||11{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||1||colspan="2"|—||45||7
|-
|[[2007–08 Manchester United F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2007|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|24||1||3||0||0||0||7{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||1||0||0||34||2
|-
|[[2008–09 Manchester United F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name="ENFA"/>
|Premier League
|21||2||2||1||3||0||6{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||0||3{{efn|One appearance in FA Community Shield, one in [[UEFA Super Cup]], one in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||0||35||3
|-
|[[2009–10 Manchester United F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2009|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|28||3||0||0||2||1||7{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||3||1{{efn|name=CommunityShield}}||0||38||7
|-
|[[2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2010|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|22||1||3||0||0||0||7{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||0||1{{efn|name=CommunityShield}}||0||33||1
|-
|[[2011–12 Manchester United F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2011|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|17||4||2||0||0||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||0||0||21||4
|-
|[[2012–13 Manchester United F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|7091|2012|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|Premier League
|16||1||3||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=ChampionsLeague}}||0||colspan="2"|—||21||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!499!!107!!49!!13!!21!!9!!134!!26!!15!!0!!718!!155
|-
|Royton Town
|[[2018–19 in English football|2018–19]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fulltime.thefa.com/statsForPlayer.html?selectedSeasonID=721466926&personID=456195182&selectedStatisticDisplayMode=1&selectedOrgStatRecordingTypeID_ForSort=|title=Paul Scholes player stats|website=Full-Time |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=19 April 2025}}</ref>
|[[Manchester Football League|MFL]] Premier Division
|2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Lancashire County Football Association#County Cups|Lancashire FA Amateur Shield]]}}||0||3||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!501!!107!!49!!13!!21!!9!!134!!26!!16!!0!!721!!155
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="wfnat">{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe18622/paul-scholes/international-matches/ |title=Paul Scholes: Internationals |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |date=<!-- citation bot adds wrong date --> |access-date=19 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[England national football team|England]]
|1997||5||3
|-
|1998||9||1
|-
|1999||6||5
|-
|2000||10||1
|-
|2001||10||3
|-
|2002||11||0
|-
|2003||8||0
|-
|2004||7||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total||66||14
|}

:''England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Scholes goal''<ref name="wfnat"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Paul Scholes
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Cap
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|1||4 June 1997||[[Stade de la Beaujoire]], Nantes, France||style="text-align: center;"|2||{{fb|ITA}}||style="text-align: center;"|2–0||style="text-align: center;"|2–0||[[1997 Tournoi de France]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/italy-v-england-04-june-1997-247806/ |title=Italy v England, 04 June 1997 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|2||10 September 1997||[[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London, England||style="text-align: center;"|4||{{fb|MDA}}||style="text-align: center;"|1–0||style="text-align: center;"|4–0||[[1998 FIFA World Cup qualification]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/1997/09/10/europe/wc-qualifying-europe/england/moldova/630114/ |title=England vs. Moldova 4–0: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|3||15 November 1997||[[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London, England||style="text-align: center;"|5||{{fb|CMR}}||style="text-align: center;"|1–0||style="text-align: center;"|2–0||[[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/england-v-cameroon-15-november-1997-264576/ |title=England v Cameroon, 15 November 1997 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|4||15 June 1998||[[Stade Vélodrome]], Marseille, France||style="text-align: center;"|8||{{fb|TUN}}||style="text-align: center;"|2–0||style="text-align: center;"|2–0||[[1998 FIFA World Cup]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/1998/06/15/world/world-cup/england/tunisia/156509/ |title=England vs. Tunisia 2–0: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|5||rowspan="3"|27 March 1999||rowspan="3"|[[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London, England||rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;"|16||rowspan="3"|{{fb|POL}}||style="text-align: center;"|1–0||rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;"|3–1||rowspan="3"|[[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying]]||rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/1999/03/27/europe/european-championship-qualification/england/poland/629150/ |title=England vs. Poland 3–1: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|6||style="text-align: center;"|2–0
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|7||style="text-align: center;"|3–1
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|8||rowspan="2"|13 November 1999||rowspan="2"|[[Hampden Park]], Glasgow, Scotland||rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|19||rowspan="2"|{{fb|SCO}}||style="text-align: center;"|1–0||rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|2–0||rowspan="2"|[[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying]]||rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/1999/11/13/europe/european-championship-qualification/scotland/england/629270/ |title=Scotland vs. England 0–2: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|9||style="text-align: center;"|2–0
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|10||12 June 2000||[[Philips Stadion]], Eindhoven, Netherlands||style="text-align: center;"|25||{{fb|POR}}||style="text-align: center;"|1–0||style="text-align: center;"|2–3||[[UEFA Euro 2000]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2000/06/12/europe/european-championships/portugal/england/146527/ |title=Portugal vs. England 3–2: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|11||28 March 2001||[[Qemal Stafa Stadium]], Tirana, Albania||style="text-align: center;"|33||{{fb|ALB}}||style="text-align: center;"|2–0||style="text-align: center;"|3–1||[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/albania-v-england-28-march-2001-271075/ |title=Albania v England, 28 March 2001 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|12||25 May 2001||[[Pride Park Stadium]], Derby, England||style="text-align: center;"|34||{{fb|MEX}}||style="text-align: center;"|1–0||style="text-align: center;"|4–0||[[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2001/05/25/world/friendlies/england/mexico/633786/ |title=England vs. Mexico 4–0: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|13||6 June 2001||[[Olympic Stadium (Athens)|Olympic Stadium]], Athens, Greece||style="text-align: center;"|35||{{fb|GRE}}||style="text-align: center;"|1–0||style="text-align: center;"|2–0||[[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2001/06/06/europe/wc-qualifying-europe/greece/england/629621/ |title=Greece vs. England 0–2: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align: center;"|14||21 June 2004||[[Estádio da Luz]], Lisbon, Portugal||style="text-align: center;"|65||{{fb|CRO}}||style="text-align: center;"|1–1||style="text-align: center;"|4–2||[[UEFA Euro 2004]]||style="text-align: center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2004/06/21/europe/european-championships/croatia/england/49386/ |title=Croatia vs. England 2–4: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|4 November 2020}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"		
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure	
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="5"|Record	
!rowspan="2"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-	
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}	
|-
|align="left"|[[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]] (caretaker)
|align="left"|3 January 2015
|align="left"|3 January 2015
{{WDL|1|1|0|0}}
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30667649 |title=Phil Neville & Paul Scholes take charge of Salford City game |website=BBC Sport |date=3 January 2015 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]]
|align="left"|11 February 2019
|align="left"|14 March 2019
{{WDL|7|1|3|3}}
|<ref name="OldhamEnd"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46935128 |title=Paul Scholes: Oldham Athletic name ex-Man Utd midfielder as manager |website=BBC Sport |date=11 February 2019 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1924&teamTabs=results&season_id=151 |title=Oldham: Results: 2018/19 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Salford City (interim)
|align="left"|12 October 2020
|align="left"|4 November 2020
{{WDL|5|2|1|2}}
|<ref name="SalfordEnd"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54510150 |title=Graham Alexander: Salford City sack boss & put Paul Scholes in charge |website=BBC Sport |date=12 October 2020 |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=4880&teamTabs=results&season_id=153 |title=Salford: Results: 2020/21 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
{{WDLtot|13|4|4|5}}	
!		
|}

==Honours==
'''Manchester United'''
*[[Premier League]]: [[1995–96 FA Premier League|1995–96]], [[1996–97 FA Premier League|1996–97]], [[1998–99 FA Premier League|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 FA Premier League|1999–2000]], [[2000–01 FA Premier League|2000–01]], [[2002–03 FA Premier League|2002–03]], [[2006–07 FA Premier League|2006–07]], [[2007–08 Premier League|2007–08]], [[2008–09 Premier League|2008–09]], [[2010–11 Premier League|2010–11]], [[2012–13 Premier League|2012–13]]<ref name="PremProfile">{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/336/Paul-Scholes/overview |title=Paul Scholes: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]]: [[1995–96 FA Cup|1995–96]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-united-v-liverpool-11-may-1996-217210/ |title=Manchester United v Liverpool, 11 May 1996 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[1998–99 FA Cup|1998–99]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/may/22/newsstory.sport3 |title=Man Utd 2–0 Newcastle |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=22 May 1999 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[2003–04 FA Cup|2003–04]];<ref name="2004FACupFinal"/> runner-up: [[1994–95 FA Cup|1994–95]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/limpar-s-three-steps-to-heaven-1620671.html |title=Limpar's three steps to heaven |first=Glenn |last=Moore |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=21 May 1995 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[2004–05 FA Cup|2004–05]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4558271.stm |title=Arsenal 0–0 Man Utd (aet) |website=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[2006–07 FA Cup|2006–07]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/6649815.stm |title=FA Cup final – Chelsea 1–0 Man Utd: Match report |first=Andrew |last=McKenzie |website=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2007 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[2008–09 Football League Cup|2008–09]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7905889.stm |title=Man Utd 0–0 Tottenham (aet) |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[2009–10 Football League Cup|2009–10]];<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8531179.stm |title=Aston Villa 1–2 Man Utd |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=28 February 2010 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> runner-up: [[2002–03 Football League Cup|2002–03]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2811805.stm |title=Liverpool lift Worthington Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2003 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
*[[FA Community Shield|FA Charity Shield/FA Community Shield]]: [[1996 FA Charity Shield|1996]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-united-v-newcastle-united-11-august-1996-285943/ |title=Manchester United v Newcastle United, 11 August 1996 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[1997 FA Charity Shield|1997]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/charity-remains-at-home-1.93968 |title=Charity remains at home |newspaper=The Irish Times |location=Dublin |date=4 August 1997 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[2003 FA Community Shield|2003]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3125653.stm |title=Man Utd win Community Shield |website=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2003 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[2008 FA Community Shield|2008]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7549022.stm |title=Man Utd 0–0 Portsmouth |first=Chris |last=Bevan |website=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2008 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[2010 FA Community Shield|2010]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8893192.stm |title=Chelsea 1–3 Man Utd |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |website=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2010 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League|1998–99]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/353842.stm |title=United crowned kings of Europe |website=BBC News |date=26 May 1999 |access-date=23 March 2024}}<br />{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jul/24/manchesterunited.premierleague |title=Family guy Scholes set for two-year Old Trafford swansong |first=Mark |last=Ogden |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=24 July 2008 |access-date=23 March 2024 |quote=When Scholes does finally walk away from United, he will emerge with two Champions League winners' medals to his name – one from Barcelona, the other from Moscow. Scholes received the first while wearing his suit in the Nou Camp thanks to a suspension, however, so he admits that the second, won in the Russian capital in May, is the only one that matters.}}</ref> [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League|2007–08]];<ref name="2008ChampionsLeagueFinal"/> runner-up: [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8060878.stm |title=Barcelona 2–0 Man Utd |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2009 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|2010–11]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/13576522.stm |title=Barcelona 3–1 Man Utd |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2011 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1999 Intercontinental Cup|1999]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/543368.stm |title=Man Utd crowned world champions |website=BBC News |date=30 November 1999 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>
*[[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|2008]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=252219/match=300073127/report.html |title=Match report: Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito – Manchester United |publisher=FIFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205013246/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/matches/round=252219/match=300073127/report.html |archive-date=5 December 2019}}</ref>

'''England U18'''
*[[UEFA European Under-18 Championship]]: [[1993 UEFA European Under-18 Championship|1993]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/jun/29/forgotten-story-england-under-18-1993 |title=The forgotten story of... England's class of '93 |first=Rob |last=Smyth |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=29 June 2009 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year]]: [[1992–93 Manchester United F.C. season|1992–93]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Adam |last=Bostock |title=Tuanzebe is United's Young Player of the Year |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2015/May/Axel-Tuanzebe-wins-Jimmy-Murphy-Young-Player-of-the-Year-award.aspx |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |date=19 May 2015 |access-date=25 December 2016}}</ref>
*Manchester United Goal of the Season: [[2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carney |first=Sam |date=5 June 2022 |title=Every winner of the Man Utd Goal of the Season award |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/every-winner-of-the-man-utd-goal-of-the-season-award |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[2002–03 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|January 2003]], [[2003–04 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|December 2003]], [[2006–07 FA Premier League#Monthly awards|October 2006]], [[2010–11 Premier League#Monthly awards|August 2010]]<ref name="PremProfile"/>
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 4|2002–03 Premier League]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2978177.stm |title=Henry honoured by peers |website=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2003 |access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref> [[PFA Team of the Year (2000s)#FA Premier League 8|2006–07 Premier League]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm |title=Ronaldo secures PFA awards double |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2007 |access-date=18 April 2018}}</ref>
*[[Premier League 10 Seasons Awards]] Team of the Decade: 1992–93 to 2001–02<ref>{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Christopher |date=15 April 2003 |title=The Premiership elite selection 1993–2003 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399684/The-Premiership-elite-selection-1993-2003.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112234832/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2399684/The-Premiership-elite-selection-1993-2003.html |archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref>
*[[English Football Hall of Fame]]: 2008<ref>{{cite web |title=ABOUT THE HALL OF FAME |url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/explore-the-museum/hall-of-fame/about-the-hall-of-fame |website=National Football Museum |access-date=25 December 2016 |archive-date=9 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109105741/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/explore-the-museum/hall-of-fame/about-the-hall-of-fame |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Premier League 20 Seasons Awards]] Fantasy Team: 1992–93 to 2011–12<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/man-utd-dominate-20-seasons-fantasy-team.html |title=Man Utd dominate 20 Seasons Fantasy Teams |publisher=Premier League |date=14 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518075822/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/man-utd-dominate-20-seasons-fantasy-team.html |archive-date=18 May 2012}}</ref>
*[[Premier League Hall of Fame]]: 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2582028 |title=Six new inductees voted into Premier League Hall of Fame |publisher=Premier League |date=21 April 2022 |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
*[[FWA Tribute Award]]: 2012<ref>{{cite web |title=FWA Tribute Dinner 2012 – Paul Scholes and Gary Neville |url=http://www.footballwriters.co.uk/event/fwa-tribute-dinner-2012-paul-scholes-and-gary-neville/ |publisher=Football Writers' Association |date=6 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803105447/http://www.footballwriters.co.uk/event/fwa-tribute-dinner-2012-paul-scholes-and-gary-neville/ |archive-date=3 August 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances]]
*[[List of one-club men in association football]]
*[[List of athletes who came out of retirement]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/paul-scholes Profile] at the Manchester United F.C. website
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* {{Englandstats}}

{{Navboxes
| title = England squads
| bg = white
| fg = #CF081F
| bordercolor = #0B0B3F
| list1 = 
{{England squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad UEFA Euro 2000}}
{{England squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 = 
{{Salford City F.C. managers}}
{{Oldham Athletic A.F.C. managers}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{2002–03 FA Premier League Team of the Year}}
{{2006–07 FA Premier League Team of the Year}}
{{FWA Tribute Award}}
{{English Football Hall of Fame}}
{{Premier League Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scholes, Paul}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Salford]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Manchester Football League players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Premier League Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:English Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:England men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:England men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players]]
[[Category:English football managers]]
[[Category:Salford City F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. managers]]
[[Category:English Football League managers]]
[[Category:English football coaches]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:English football commentators]]
[[Category:Salford City F.C. chairmen and investors]]
[[Category:People associated with University Academy 92]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:English people of Northern Ireland descent]]