MUFC 2 - 3 Tottenham Hotspurs - M.O.M - Paul Scholes

We lost the match 2 – 3 to Tottenham, but to see the maestro Paul Scholes play, I forget about the result. I don’t want to talk much about the first half, because clearly we lacked conviction there. But as soon as the second half started, it was all MUFC on the pitch. And in the centre of that attack was a midfielder known for his nasty tackles. He was none other than the ONE CLUB MAN – PAUL SCHOLES. It’s just mesmerizing to see the master pick passes with pin point accuracy and to have such control over play. Every Man Utd player was looking for Scholes, and he didn’t disappoint. Each and every time he passed the ball, it looked like United were going to score. The way Scholes dominated the midfield, I have not seen any other player do even something close to that.

He determined the direction, speed and the tempo of the game and the ball. I couldn’t see any Spurs player coming even close to him. His positioning, passes, vision, innovation and foresightedness are just fabulous and I think that’s what United missed last season. Even at the age of 37, Scholes seems better than ever. I have many times read about comparisons being made between Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Paul Scholes. But after today’s performance, I think Scholes is better than both of them put together.

I don’t see Iniesta and Xavi play at the level Paul plays now at the age of 37. Although Scholes is 37 years old and not at his prime, he can outplay any defense and any defender in this world. With his experience, skill and vision, he can fit into any team at any point of time. Not only passing and controlling the game, but the way Scholes shoots, makes him a huge threat at the corner of the penalty box. His shot that was saved by Friedel somehow, was hit so hard and accurately that most strikers in this world wouldn’t be able to do that. His long range passes almost inevitably landed on the foot or chest of MUFC players looking for the ball. Every striker in the world would want Paul Scholes in his side, because almost three fourth of the work for the goal is done by Paul Scholes himself. He has this ability to determine the movement of strikers and almost foresee the runs made by others. I think that comes from his experience as a striker in the beginning of his MUFC career.

Most of the times, I hear MUFC fans and football pundits talk about the 1991 crop of MUFC players with the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and others. But according to me, the best among them was, and still is Paul Scholes. Forget about the age factor now, but even at their prime, Paul Scholes has played in more positions than any other player, and that is the factor that makes him special.

He has played as a striker, behind the striker and at the heart of midfield in his career. Its just great for the young United midfielders like Cleverly, Anderson and Powell to have a player and legend like Paul Scholes in their team, playing along with them. He plays an absolutely vital role both on-field and off-field. Nobody needs to describe his influence on-field, but even off the field, he is a role model for every player.

His team-mate, Michael Carrick was quoted saying, ‘Just watching Paul play everyday lets you appreciate just how good he is. To have him alongside you is great. The confidence you have in each other in possession and without it, is great to have. Paul is an awesome player and one that I am watching in training and learning from.’Every MUFC supporter can be proud of having a player like Scholes in their team. It just shows how good the training and the development of the young players in the club goes about with players like Paul Scholes along side them. I just wish that Scholes remains fit for the years to come and go on playing for MUFC as long as he can, because you can really see the difference in the play when he is on the pitch and when he is not.

According to me, he is the most influential midfielder I have ever seen..