18 - Paul Scholes Profile

Another member of the Old Trafford "500 Club", Paul Scholes has long been a huge favourite of the Manchester United fans.

Scholes has spent his entire career at Old Trafford. He was a part of the impressive United Youth Team of the early 1990s alongside the likes of Gary Neville, David Beckham and Nicky Butt.

He made his full league debut for United against Ipswich Town in September 1994 and scored twice in a 3-2 defeat. For the next two seasons Scholes often found himself an understudy to Eric Cantona but still managed to make several appearances for the club and established himself as a goal-scoring midfielder with an excellent passing ability.

After Cantona's departure Scholes began to establish himself as a United regular and formed a formidable partnership with Roya Keane at the heart of the United midfield. He played a huge role in United's treble success of 1999, scoring vitals goals in both domestic and European matches. He scored in the 2-0 FA Cup Final victor over Arsenal but had to sit-out the dramatic 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final through suspension after picking up a booking in the semi-final win over Juventus.

Since then Scholes has gone on to establish himself as one of the best English midfielders of his generation, scoring vital goals for both club and country. He ended his international career after Euro 2004, stating that he wanted to concentrate on club football. Many pundits doubted this and blamed England boss Sven Goran Eriksson for Scholes decision after constantly playing him out of position on the left hand side of midfield.

His impressive start to the 2005/2006 season was brough to an end when an unspecific eye injury kept him out with blurred vision for the second half of the campaign. There were fears that Scholes career may be in the balance but he was declared fit again for the new season.

Scholes is a die-hard Oldham Athletic fan and cheekily cited Latics legend Andy Ritchie when asked who his all-time footballing hero was by foreign journalsits at the World Cup in 2002. He has often hinted that he would like to play for the club before he ends his career.

So far in his United career, Scholes has won six Premiership titles, three FA Cups, the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. He made his 500th appearance for United on 22 October 2006, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 Premiership win over Liverpool at Old Trafford. He continues to impress at the heart of the United midfield, scoring vital goals that could help bring the title back to Old Trafford.

• Scholes - Time was right

  Manchester United legend Paul Scholes says Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to play on for another season - but he knew it was the right time to retire.

• New role for Scholes at United

  Paul Scholes will join Manchester United's coaching staff after announcing his retirement from playing football, and is to have a testimonial.

• Scholes announces retirement

  Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect.

• Fergie bemoans 'red-mist' moment

  Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Paul Scholes had one of his "red-mist moments" when he was sent off in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final defeat.

• Fergie confident on Scholes deal

  Sir Alex Ferguson has called for Paul Scholes to commit to another year at Manchester United.

• Scholes doubt for Arsenal clash

  Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rates Paul Scholes as "doubtful" for Monday's Premier League showdown with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

• Scholes targets Carling Cup

  Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes insists the Premier League giants will not be taking the Carling Cup lightly.

• Fergie unhappy with Wenger

  Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Arsene Wenger's criticism of Paul Scholes.

• Scholes settles for three-goal show

  Paul Scholes felt Manchester United could have scored more but was content with the 3-0 opening Premier League win over Newcastle.

• Sir Alex praises Paul Scholes display

  Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hailed midfielder Paul Scholes for his man-of-the-match display in the 3-1 Community Shield win over Chelsea.