Last of a dying breed?

The normally reticent Paul Scholes today gave an interview, hinting that his Manchester United, and possibly professional career, will come to an end in two years. For a man of so few words that anything he does say instantly gains credibility, it was an admission that all good things must come to an end. However, his hints at stepping down a level might mean a season-long swansong at Oldham, his boyhood club.

For anyone who loves football, and more pertinently Manchester United fans, it is a shame that we only have two more years of the elegant little midfield genius gracing our pitches. Scholes has been, undoubtedly, one of the finest midfield operators of the past decade. In that ten years or so, he has won innumerable domestic titles and cups and picked up two European Cup winners medals. In his typically understated fashion, however, he sees it as only one, being as he spent the 1999 final in a suit after being suspended.

Coming through Manchester United’s youth set-up, Scholes made his debut against Port Vale, scoring twice, in September 1994. Although originally a striker of sorts, he adapted his game to become an attacking midfield player, who had the priceless knack of timing runs from deep into the box a la Bryan Robson. He formed one of the all-time great centre-midfield partnerships with one Roy Keane, with Keane sitting whilst Scholes bombed on beyond him. Scholes has also proved one of the most fiercely loyal United players ever, bar one aberration at a League Cup game at Highbury.

Scholes also won 66 England caps, scoring fourteen goals, but growing frustrated by being marginalised and wanting to spend more time with his family, he retired in August 2004. Another reason mooted was that he wished to prolong his club career.

Scholes’ many attributes include wonderful striking technique with either foot, bringing memorable goals at Bradford and Middlesbrough (among others), uncanny vision, wonderful passing ability and that gift all great players have: the seeming free run of the park, always in space and very rarely harried, though his attempts at tackling are best not discussed. As the years took their toll, Scholes adapted once more into a deep-lying role in the Pirlo mould, where his unerringly accurate passing and elusive movement meant he was still an essential part of the United midfield. His priceless goal against Barcelona in the Champions’ League semi-final was evidence of the big part he still has to play at United, though pretenders such as Carrick and Anderson are pushing him hard.

The greatest mark of praise for a footballer is when his fellow professionals recognise him. Sir Alex Ferguson and Rio Ferdinand both credit Scholes with being the best player at Manchester United for many years. Marcello Lippi, the great Italian manager, once said that Scholes was among his favourite players and David Beckham once said that at Real Madrid it was Scholes who was most admired - this in a dressing room containing Zinedine Zidane, Raúl, Ronaldo, Luís Figo and Roberto Carlos. Edgar Davids called Scholes the best midfielder in the world and younger players also agree. Manchester City's Micah Richards describes him as “the complete midfielder - when he's fit, he's the best. Some go missing but he's in the right place at the right time. He's my favourite player of all-time, unbelievable”.

It is not just Scholes’ superlative footballing skills that endear him to the world, and it is the world. Although Manchester United are frequently loathed, Scholes seems to be a constant favourite with other football fans. This could be something to do with his attitude, which is seemingly completely antithetical to that of the modern footballer. Scholes has always been modest, unassuming and completely unaffected by the money and celebrity aspect of modern football. In fact he has managed, as Mark Ogden wrote in the Independent today, to show that celebrity is an optional extra to being a footballer. Scholes shows up, comes off the pitch and goes home, not wanting the fuss and media circus that surrounds the game. It is refreshing in this day and age of roastings, tabloid scandal, greed, team-mate beatings and bling culture that footballers seem to surround themselves with, that a player like Scholes flourishes.

It seems premature to have the tone of this piece as one of valediction, as we still have two years of the maestro to come. However, as my all-time favourite footballer, it is hard not to feel a pang of regret that Scholes will soon not be around. Even more troubling is that his attitude, truly professional, shirking the limelight and a loyal team player always, seems to be disappearing from football altogether. A great quote from the man himself came today that says it all. “The only thing I will definitely miss,” Scholes said without a trace of irony, “is the football, not the general life of a footballer."

Sir Bobby Charlton, writing in his autobiography, stated that Paul Scholes is the one player playing today who truly epitomises the spirit of Manchester United and football. Casting an eye around, you would be hard pressed to disagree.