Paul Scholes Bio

One of the most gifted players to ever grace the Premiership, Paul Scholes remains an effective performer. And his personal success in 2006/7 was made all the sweeter by the fact that his career had looked to be at an end.

Scholes' career was placed into doubt during 2005/06 when he was absent from the Manchester United team with an ongoing problem with his sight.

The former England international dropped out of the side just after Christmas and although the club initially denied press reports over his condition it was announced within a month that he would be out for the remainder of the season.

It was a disappointment for Scholes, who finally looked to be recapturing the form which had made him a shoe-in for the England team until he bowed out of the international arena after Euro 2004.

And his renaissance continued in 2007/08 as United won the Premier League and Champions League double.

Part of the famous FA Youth Cup winners of 1992, he made his League debut against Ipswich Town on September 24, 1994, scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat.

Scholes became a regular player during the 1994/95 term as Alex Ferguson blooded his 'fledglings' as United made a failed bid for the Double.

He started the 1995/96 season as a forward, in the absence of Eric Cantona, and his performances won the terrace title of 'Ginger Prince' to the Frenchman's 'King'.

Scholes was then converted into a central midfielder with licence to get in behind opposing defenders and formed an admirable partnership with Roy Keane.

The shy man of the Red Devils had no problem stepping up to international level. He scored on his England debut against Italy in 1997 and also netted against Tunisia during France '98.

Scholes was an integral part of United's Treble win in 1999, scoring the Reds' second goal in the FA Cup final against Newcastle United.

The 2000/01 season was perhaps his most consistent at United and he was voted Player of the Year by his United colleagues.

Euro 2004 proved to be the player's international swansong as, despite pleas from coach Sven Goran Eriksson, he decided to retire to concentrate on his club football as well as his family. He won 66 caps, scoring 14 goals.

Scholes bagged 13 goals in 2004/05 but failed to hit top form, though at the end of the term he penned a new contract to run until the summer of 2009.

But just as he appeared to be returning to form in 2005/06 he was hit by the eye problem which ended his season at Christmas.

He returned to the game renewed, forming a great partnership with Michael Carrick at the base of the midfield and scoring some trademark goals including a Christmas cracker against Aston Villa. Though he still can't tackle - he never could - he is still a vital cog at United.