Paul Scholes builds 'perfect footballer' and includes two current Man Utd stars

03 August 2023 , 05:00

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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes included current stars Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes when building his 'perfect footballer' based on the attributes of Red Devils stars.

Rashford and Fernandes were the only two players Scholes named who he was never teammates with during his illustrious career at United. In total, Scholes made more than 700 appearances for United across 19 seasons, lifting 11 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups.

And when building his 'perfect footballer', Scholes decided he wanted Rashford's pace and Fernandes' vision. Explaining his decisions, the former midfielder said he also considered Andy Cole and Luke Shaw for the pace attribute before settling on Rashford.

"I don't think there's many quicker than Marcus, is there? Andy Cole as well in tight little areas where he had to sprint and really have an eye for a goal," Scholes said.

"I think Luke Shaw is rapid as well, I think he’s really quick, but I think in forward areas, I would probably have to choose Marcus. He can go past a man either way with that speed and pace, and it definitely helps you."

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Scholes added that it was a close call between Fernandes and Christian Eriksen when picking a player for their vision. "We had a lot of good players in my team - Giggsy's vision was brilliant, David Beckham, but now I think it’s close between Eriksen and Bruno," he added.

"I think what Bruno has been doing for a couple of years now is he sees everything on a football pitch. I think his vision is brilliant. He's not afraid to lose the ball, we all say at United, you have to be prepared to take risks, he's prepared to do that and we all know the ability he’s got."

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, was the only player to make the list twice as Scholes selected the five-time Ballon d'Or winner for his heading ability and skills. Scholes feels Ronaldo's aerial prowess is something "not many people give him credit for" and hailed the effectiveness of his skills.

"When he first came he frustrated me at times, don't get me wrong, but to see someone with that ability and the way to handle the ball," he said of Ronaldo. "The skills and the brilliance that went with it. We can all have skills but unless it's effective, he was effective. He was doing it to beat a man and hopefully create something.

He rounded out his perfect footballer by selecting David Beckham's "brilliant" right foot, Ryan Giggs' left foot, Nicky Butt's tackling, Ruud van Nistelrooy's finishing, Jaap Stam's strength and Roy Keane's mentality.

Paul Scholes' 'perfect footballer'

• Right foot - David Beckham
• Left foot - Ryan Giggs
• Heading - Cristiano Ronaldo
• Pace - Marcus Rashford
• Tackling - Nicky Butt
• Finishing - Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Strength - Jaap Stam
• Skills - Cristiano Ronaldo
• Vision - Bruno Fernandes
• Mentality - Roy Keane

Matthew Cooper