11 June 2023 , 21:55
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Paul Scholes claimed the Soccer Aid organisers were "taking the p***" with blue flags waving throughout the crowd at Old Trafford.
The annual fundraising game returned to the home of Manchester United on Sunday night with several headline names from football and beyond teaming up to help generate funds for Unicef. Scholes was among those playing for England as he headed back to the ground he used to call home.
Scholes played for United for two decades, enjoying a trophy-laden career, but was less than impressed to see blue flags littered throughout the crowd, which is usually covered in red when the Red Devils are in action.
The former player, who made 718 appearances for United and won 11 Premier League titles, made his anger known, albeit in jest, on social media as he posted a picture of blue flags being waved with the words: “Somebody has to be taking the piss with these flags."
Scholes came on in the second-half with England trailing 1-0 to the World XI. The retired midfielder immediately made a difference and his strike from outside the box put the hosts 2-1 ahead in the second-half, before he was forced off with injury and the World XI eventually ran out 4-2 winners.
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Those connected with United had a weekend to forget as they saw neighbours Manchester City win the Champions League in Istanbul. Pep Guardiola's side saw off Inter Milan and, in doing so, completed the treble having already won the league and FA Cup.
Paul Scholes wasn't impressed with the amount of blue at Old Trafford (Instagram/paulscholesaaa)
Man City claimed the Champions League on Saturday nightUnited had previously been the only English side to ever complete the historic feat, doing so in 1999 with Scholes playing a key role. Those bragging rights have now gone though with their nearest rivals matching them - and also beating them in the FA Cup final.
Guardiola said in the aftermath of City's incredible achievement: “Sometimes it looks like this competition this year, this final was written in the stars. The goal, the chances they had. Ederson’s save where in extra-time you could lose the game. I will be the same person and we will be the same team and we will be the same Club. Today was our year, but in the past to do it of course we are incredibly satisfied to achieve something unique, the Treble for this club."
The Catalan also revealed that he'd been in contact with former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, adding: "I can’t wait to be on the bus with the three trophies. It’s an honour for me to be like Sir Alex Ferguson – he sent me a message this morning."