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Paul Scholes

Full Name	Paul Scholes
Position	Central Midfield
Squad Number	18
Date of Birth	16th November 1974
Place of Birth	Salford Manchester
Height	5' 7''
Weight	11st 8
United Debut	21/9/1994 (A) Port Vale
Transfer Fee	N/A
International	35 Caps - 13 goals

Career History
Paul Scholes began as a United trainee on 8th July 1991 and turned professional 18 months later on 23rd July 1993. Scholes won an FA Youth Cup winners' medal in 1992 and a runners-up medal in the same competition a year later. He was also a member of the England Under-18 team which won the European Championships in 1993.

His full League debut was against Ipswich Town on 24th September 1994, where he scored twice in a 3-2 defeat. In the 1994-95 season Paul Scholes became a regular player, in the absence of Eric Cantona (through suspension) and Mark Hughes. The following season Paul broke picked up his first major honours as United won the Premiership and FA Cup against Liverpool to completing a historic 'Double Double'.

A full international, Scholes scored on his international debut vs Italy as well as his first international at Wembley. Paul played his part in the 1998 World Cup Finals, scoring in England's opening match against Tunisia, and starting all four of their games in the competition.

It has been said that Paul Scholes has one of the best football brains ever seen as Manchester United. He has been compared with greats such as Bryan Robson or Bobby Charlton for his ability to make late runs from deep positions but in addition with quick feet he can work openings from the tightest of situations.

Scholes always seems to play well on the big occasion. In Europe during the 1998-99 season he scored vital goals against Bayern, Barcelona and perhaps most importantly the deciding equaliser in a 1-1draw with Inter Milan at the San Siro. He also scored the second goal in the FA Cup Final against Newcastle. In fact Wembley was good hunting ground for him as he scored a hat-trick in England's 3-1 win over Poland.

Recent History
Whenever Scholes is the pitch United have that added creative edge up front. A busy creative player full of energy and ideas, his 98-99 season was marred by a series of bad tackles. He missed the European Cup final through suspension, after a miss-timed challenge against Juventus and was sent off for England against Sweden. If he improves this part of his game there's no doubt he can become an even better player.

Scholes could have had three contenders for Goal of the season in 1999-2000, a brilliant 25 yard volley straight from a corner against Bradford, a cunningly cheeky back-heel flick versus West Ham (he got a hat-trick in that game) and the walloping 30 yarder away to Middlesbrough. His clever creative play, passing and movement in the centre of midfield helped create the myriad of goal scoring chances which gave United 97 league goals. He also scored the two goals that beat Scotland and sent England to Euro 2000.

The highlight of season 2000-2001 for Scholes must be his exquisite chip at Old Trafford against Panathinaikos - it followed a flowing move of 32 individual passes. He scored twice in that game and was a thorn in the Greeks side again when he equalised in the last minute against them in Athens for United and scored there again in June for England's 2-0 victory over Greece. His six goals in Europe this season meant he overtook Denis Law's European scoring record alongside Andy Cole. Another great goal was a fabulous 25 yard effort at home to Coventry and a similar strike home to Sunderland. Scholes has also now become United's regular penalty taker.