Ex-Premier League midfielder recalls Paul Scholes story that proved he was “outrageously good”

Paul Scholes is widely considered one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever players and one of the finest midfielders to play in the Premier League.

Paul Scholes enjoyed a stellar career at Manchester United, joining the club’s youth academy in 1991 and making his senior debut in 1994. Renowned for his exceptional vision, passing, and goal-scoring ability from midfield, Scholes became a key player in United’s unparalleled success over two decades under Sir Alex Ferguson.

He won 11 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues in 1999 and 2008. Known for his big game displays, Scholes scored multiple memorable goals, including a ridiculous half-volley against Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-final.

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After a brief retirement in 2011, Scholes returned to Old Trafford in 2012 before finally retiring for good in 2013. He finished with 718 appearances and 155 goals for United, cementing his legacy as one of the club’s greatest midfielders.

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara recalled a story about Scholes two months after his retirement that proved just how fantastic the Oldham-born player was.

“Scholes back in the day… Honestly, when I played against Paul Scholes, I used to stand there just in awe of him, thinking: ‘Oh my God, this guy is so good at football!’

“He had everything, it was ridiculous how good he was. I remember we had a game, Wolves, at home to Man United. They beat us 5-0, and Paul Scholes had 110 passes, 110 completed. Did not give the ball away once in the game in 90 minutes.”

Continuing, O’Hara went into further detail about Scholes’ display that day: “He was absolutely, outrageously good. And it wasn’t just easy passes. He’s hitting 70-yarders, like diagonals on toast! How good was he?”

Scholes has since had a very successful career as a pundit, regularly appearing on Premier League Productions, TNT Sports, and the latter’s predecessor, BT Sport.

However, his managerial career did not pan out the same way. his first position was at Oldham Athletic, where he won one in seven names and lasted just 31 days between February and March 2019. In 2020, he had a short spell as interim manager of Salford City, the club he part-owns.