Paul Scholes has chosen which characteristics of Manchester United players past and present would constitute his ideal footballer.
In our challenge, the Reds legend faces a slew of difficult decisions, especially given the wealth of world-class talent that has graced the Old Trafford grass.
Find out which 10 Reds our former midfielder has chosen, from who has the finest right foot to who has the strongest mindset…
RIGHT FOOT: DAVID BECKHAM
“His free-kicks, corners, set-pieces, passing – brilliant,” Scholes says. He had a great right foot and could put it anywhere he chose.”
LEFT FOOT: RYAN GIGGS
“When dribbling, that ball stuck to his foot,” Scholes says. I don’t think he wanted to utilize his right foot all the time, but he was capable of doing so. But his left foot, once again, it was his pass weight, vision, and set-pieces.”
HEADING: CRISTIANO RONALDO
“I’d probably go with Cristiano,” Scholes admits. Few people give him credit for it. I recall one goal he did score – Roma away – where he is on the penalty spot and leaps from the edge of the area. He blasted it in with his head like a Michael Jordan leap.”
PACE: MARCUS RASHFORD
“I don’t think there are many faster than Marcus,” Scholes says. Andy Cole did well in tight quarters when he had to dash and have a keen eye for a goal. I believe Luke Shaw is very quick, in fact, I believe he is quite quick, but in the forward areas, I would have to go with Marcus. With that speed and quickness, he can go by a man either way, and it obviously benefits you.”
TACKLING: NICKY BUTT
“I would probably go with Nicky out of everyone because he was one of the hardest tacklers I’ve ever seen,” Scholes adds. I recall one of my first games, which was against Newcastle in the League Cup when we were young. They had a big center-half, Darren Peacock, and he came charging through, and Nicky met him head on, and I thought I heard four broken legs. Nicky wasn’t afraid of anything because he was such a fierce tackler.”
FINISHING: RUUD VAN NISTELROOY
“That’s simple, Ruud,” Scholes adds. Don’t get me wrong: we had some fantastic finishers: Coley, Teddy, Ole, what a finisher. But Ruud always seemed to take chances as if it were the final chance he’d ever have in his life. He was harsh, therefore I’d go with Ruud.
“If we won 5-0 and he didn’t score, he’d be upset; if we lost 5-1 and he scored, he’d be overjoyed.” I admired him for his will to score goals.”
STRENGTH: JAAP STAM
“An absolute beast, animal of a man,” Scholes says. I enjoyed playing alongside him, and these defenders probably don’t get the respect they deserve, because at United, it’s all about scoring goals and entertaining.
“When you’re a midfielder, especially my type of midfielder, you just want to think about scoring goals because you don’t have to defend with Jaap and people like Rio Ferdinand and Ronny Johnsen.” They were so good one on one that they just stole the ball away from the centre-forwards, and we all know how powerful and strong Jaap is. He used to spring forward as well as defend.”
SKILLS: CRISTIANO RONALDO
“I suppose it would have to be Cristiano, he frustrated me at times when he first came, don’t get me wrong, but to see someone with that ability and the way to handle the ball.” The abilities and intelligence that came with it. We can all have skills, but unless they are effective, they are useless. He was doing it to beat a man and perhaps make something.
VISION: BRUNO FERNANDES
“Bruno,” says Scholes. That’s what I’d say. We had a lot of good players in my team, including Giggsy, David Beckham, and now I think it’s a tie between Eriksen and Bruno. Bruno, I believe, has been seeing everything on a football field for a few years now. He plays in that position and has actually played a little deeper than that.
“I like him in that role, but I’m not sure it’s one he’d do year after year.” I believe he would prefer to return to the no. 10, but I believe his vision is amazing. He’s not afraid to lose the ball; as we always say at United, you have to be willing to take risks; he’s willing to do so, and we all know how talented he is.”
MENTALITY: ROY KEANE
“I would say Roy Keane,” Scholes says. A true leader, and when I say intellectually, people may think that detracts from ability, but it doesn’t; he had everything in abundance. Mentally, he was definitely his best point; I can’t think of anything that ever disturbed him or frightened him, regardless of who he was playing against or what platform he was on.
“I didn’t know him as a young player, but I think it has to be natural about you as well.” Probably the way you mentioned it has something to do with it, not being concerned about anything. But, on the other hand, you make an excellent argument. People like Bryan Robson and Steve Bruce have been on that team. There were others who could learn from Peter Schmeichel. I believe his mentality and attitude were unparalleled.”
