I keep thinking about this and it just makes more and more sense. It keeps the young players on their toes (think about the contract rumours) and gives them someone to look up to (how he trains at 37 etc.). It will motivate Anderson too if Scholes ends up getting minutes ahead of him, it might be the kick up the arse he needs. He also brings years of experience and gives us someone who can come off the bench and control the game, as long as we don't play him in midfield two's he can do a more than good enough job for us. Gives the media something to talk about other than Rooney too.
Paul Scholes | 2011/12 Performances
- Thread starter Nate Dogg
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Come on how hard is it for to us admit that this is an embarrassing move, better than anything available in the transfer market???
Always been my favourite United player, and great to see him back, but to claim it is some sort of 'great move' is just silly.
Crying out for a quality midfielder. Paul aint one no more.
Crying out for a quality midfielder. Paul aint one no more.
That's the one thing I'm worried about with scholes back, if the others take a step back. You saw it towards the end of the game today, when we were keeping the ball it was all about scholes. When he's on the pitch whoever else is in midfield sort of defers to him and that could be a problem. We want the likes of carrick and ando to try and put their own stamp on things, not sit back and just be the other midfielder. It's not scholes fault but because he's who he is sometimes I think the other players let him take over. Hopefully it won't be an issue and it'll make others really look to step up.
It's a pretty transparent move designed to appease fans and put a plaster over the sceptic wound that is our midfield. It smacks of desperation - and poverty. It's nice to see him back, sure, and his stats were great today. But we need to be looking to the future, just as we did last year, before he retired in the first place.
Some of you seem to be under the illusion Scholes is going to be first choice, I very much doubt it, he's here to do a specific job and he'll do it well.
Yeah he's not gonna come in and start playing most games. As you say he'll come in to do a job and he's also an extra option if we suffer another injury crisis.
It's the type of move NBA teams make, a veteran to come off the bench and give us minutes every game, 10-15 mins to take the sting out of the game or to pick a pass.
Yep, available being the main word there. This makes much more sense than splashing out on an unproven player for over the odds.
You've got to be kidding. Did we know Fletcher would come down with this illness when Scholes was retiring? As someone above has said, who obviously has a bit of common sense, we've probably brought him in because he is the best available. Why some are persisting with this 'weve got no money' argument is beyond me. We spent £50 million in the summer. It doesn't matter if it was necessary spending or not, we still spent that money.
With regards to this whole 'looking to the future' business, who's to say that the likes of Pogba and Morrison won't be given a bigger role next season, hence the short term Scholes deal? This whole move may have been engineered with a view to the future ffs.
Heh.
So was I dreaming or did I really see Paul Scholes playing for us in the last 30 mins of the game?
Still can't believe it TBH.
So was I dreaming or did I really see Paul Scholes playing for us in the last 30 mins of the game?
Still can't believe it TBH.
Also, maybe we will sign a midfielder in the current transfer window, we won't know. We did know that Scholes was available, a proven footballer and he could easily get match fit. Scholes is an extra body in our ravaged midfield area, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't get back into the team.
I really don't believe the move is embarassing for a club like United. I think it shows we have loyal players who have real affinity with this club. In difficult times they want to help us out, even if their own reputation is at stake.
I'm not remotely embarrassed by it. We've had a major injury crisis, so have called for reinforcement in the form of a great player who only retired last season.
Not much different to Arsenal recalling Thierry Henry really.
Not much different to Arsenal recalling Thierry Henry really.
Anyone doubting Scholsey is an idiot.
He is back out of retirement and playing his first match after so long that too a derby and he still made only a couple of mistakes.
Anyways I just fecking delighted to see him back and I think he could play a major part if we are going to get anything this season.
And its only a solution for the rest of the season so enjoy it bitches!
I would rather have Scholes than not having him or anyone else till end of season
He is back out of retirement and playing his first match after so long that too a derby and he still made only a couple of mistakes.
Anyways I just fecking delighted to see him back and I think he could play a major part if we are going to get anything this season.
And its only a solution for the rest of the season so enjoy it bitches!
I would rather have Scholes than not having him or anyone else till end of season
That's the problem with some of the fans complaining... They think United is still financially as empowered as the likes of Chelsea and City.
Arsenal does not go for big name signings, does not spunk the cash (making it one of the only clubs in England making a profit) and this is the way United seems to be heading in the foreseeable future.
SkySportsNews
Paul Scholes wasn't the only Manchester United legend to come out of retirement today. Find out who else did on SSN Through the Night.
wut?
Paul Scholes wasn't the only Manchester United legend to come out of retirement today. Find out who else did on SSN Through the Night.
wut?
Someone going to be a pundit on SSN?
Dont expect anything major.
Dont expect anything major.
Cracking news today, just got home from work saw the result and scholey back! Wow!
This isn't about if Scholes is good enough to play, this sad story is about that our manager allow a 38 year old legend to make a comeback. For whatever reasons only he, Gill and the owners know.
First. Injuries is part of the game and if we can't cope with missing two midfielders then our squad isn't good enough. Fact. Second. The transfer window is open and almost everything is available for the right price. If we lack quality in midfield we should buy players, for those of you who don't remember we are one of the biggest clubs in the world. If money is the stumbling block then there is something who's seriously wrong and Scholes comeback won't solve this problem.
Another strange part is that our staff already knew about Fletcher's problems. We should have prepared for his absence in the summer, or save found to buy a replacement in this window. And to continue we also knew about Gibson wasn't good enough, he was on his way out in the summer, nothing new there.
If we are honest we had four midfield players with quality at the start of the season who we could count on. Anderson, Giggs, Carrick and Cleverley. Fletcher was a gambling and Gibson was never a real option. The fact that Sir Alex let Jones play as a midfielder is proof enough. With two injuries we are short of options and that we have to rely on the oldest member of our squad to field a proper team is a shame.
Bringing Scholes in to the squad solve one thing but create several other problems. Off course he's good enough to cope against a ten man team when we are three up, almost. But in the long run he's a bad option. Don't we remember last season when his legs wasn't there? In a week or two Ando is fully fit, will Scholes play in front of him? And what about our youngsters? Morrison and Pogba. Bot are close to signing a new contract and what would they think about there long term future after this move? And what happens if Carrick get's injured? Scholes as a defensive midfielder? At the moment we have three players over 30 years old in our engine room, one had retired and one is close to be a grandfather. And only one proper DM. I say bad planning.
I find this move strange and it create speculations and rumors. Not worthy a club of our size. I love Scholes but this problem is not about him, this is more serious then to discuss if he's good enough or not.
First. Injuries is part of the game and if we can't cope with missing two midfielders then our squad isn't good enough. Fact. Second. The transfer window is open and almost everything is available for the right price. If we lack quality in midfield we should buy players, for those of you who don't remember we are one of the biggest clubs in the world. If money is the stumbling block then there is something who's seriously wrong and Scholes comeback won't solve this problem.
Another strange part is that our staff already knew about Fletcher's problems. We should have prepared for his absence in the summer, or save found to buy a replacement in this window. And to continue we also knew about Gibson wasn't good enough, he was on his way out in the summer, nothing new there.
If we are honest we had four midfield players with quality at the start of the season who we could count on. Anderson, Giggs, Carrick and Cleverley. Fletcher was a gambling and Gibson was never a real option. The fact that Sir Alex let Jones play as a midfielder is proof enough. With two injuries we are short of options and that we have to rely on the oldest member of our squad to field a proper team is a shame.
Bringing Scholes in to the squad solve one thing but create several other problems. Off course he's good enough to cope against a ten man team when we are three up, almost. But in the long run he's a bad option. Don't we remember last season when his legs wasn't there? In a week or two Ando is fully fit, will Scholes play in front of him? And what about our youngsters? Morrison and Pogba. Bot are close to signing a new contract and what would they think about there long term future after this move? And what happens if Carrick get's injured? Scholes as a defensive midfielder? At the moment we have three players over 30 years old in our engine room, one had retired and one is close to be a grandfather. And only one proper DM. I say bad planning.
I find this move strange and it create speculations and rumors. Not worthy a club of our size. I love Scholes but this problem is not about him, this is more serious then to discuss if he's good enough or not.
I dont see how people can question the logic of it. If a 25 year old midfielder was available that was the same standard as scholes and was on a FREE would we get him? yes we would. is there one? no theres not. 97% pass completeion today, more succesful passes than every city player on the pitch for the full game and of all the players to play over 1000 passes last season in the league scholes had the highest success rate. hes a phenomenon, an incredible player that will add experience and depth to our squad.
I dont think theres a single poster here who wouldnt have killed to have scholesy against blackburn two weeks ago. Hes here til the end of the season and in the meantime we can start a long term plan for midfield.
I dont think theres a single poster here who wouldnt have killed to have scholesy against blackburn two weeks ago. Hes here til the end of the season and in the meantime we can start a long term plan for midfield.
As good as any 'short term impact signing' a la Larsson we could have made to bolster the head count in midfield whilst Cleverley and Anderson make it back to full fitness and form. Perhaps Beckham could have fulfilled a similar role, but his circus is not not worth putting up with. Similar to Henry's return to Arsenal.
No one is expecting Scholes to start games or be what he was 3 years ago. He's been brought back to give us experienced depth and to save the legs of Carrick and Giggs after 70 mins when we have games won.
Used properly, its an astute signing by SAF, as I said, I cant't see a better option given the circumstances. I don't want us to sign a player just the bolster numbers, am still not 100% sure Tiote is a Manchester United quality player and would rather we don't panic buy and wait for the summer to the go and get one of the players SAF and his staff have within their strategic plan.
Given he has not played a professional game at full pelt, and that first game back was against one of the PLs best teams in a high pressure situation (albeit with 10 men), I thought he did well. Give him a few weeks and I think he has a huge cameo role to play until March which is when we can expect a fully ticking Cleverly back.
Im all for it ... and thats just the objective opinion, emotionally, its gaga land. I hope he makes it to 700 appearances, 10 appearances in the PL winning him yet another PL medal as he helps us to become PL Champions of 2011/12 as well as comes off the bench to score the winner in the FA Cup final!
No one is expecting Scholes to start games or be what he was 3 years ago. He's been brought back to give us experienced depth and to save the legs of Carrick and Giggs after 70 mins when we have games won.
Used properly, its an astute signing by SAF, as I said, I cant't see a better option given the circumstances. I don't want us to sign a player just the bolster numbers, am still not 100% sure Tiote is a Manchester United quality player and would rather we don't panic buy and wait for the summer to the go and get one of the players SAF and his staff have within their strategic plan.
Given he has not played a professional game at full pelt, and that first game back was against one of the PLs best teams in a high pressure situation (albeit with 10 men), I thought he did well. Give him a few weeks and I think he has a huge cameo role to play until March which is when we can expect a fully ticking Cleverly back.
Im all for it ... and thats just the objective opinion, emotionally, its gaga land. I hope he makes it to 700 appearances, 10 appearances in the PL winning him yet another PL medal as he helps us to become PL Champions of 2011/12 as well as comes off the bench to score the winner in the FA Cup final!
I'd just like to remind people that we spent £50m in the last transfer window. Not a Glazer fan but we have spent money recently.
Surprised by your view on this as you normally 'see the bigger picture'.
No point dwelling on why we never bought a quality CM in the summer. But Im guessing SAF wanted to make space for Cleverley. He also expected Anderson to make the next step up a la Nani. And he did not expect both to get injured at the same time! And last, he did not plan for Fletchers illness to flare up to such debilitating conditions.
Likewise, we could not afford the players we were after. Moan about that as much as you want, but fact is fact. But even then, we have enough quality in the above paragraph to mount a serious campaign (as we are already proving!).
Scholes is just a short term 'Larrson' type signing. Lets not overstate its importance or overdo its implications with regards the clubs finances etc. Personally, given our current circumstances, I think its a masterstroke.
Just enough maybe so that people can argue that we have spent money recently.
I know it shouldn't be a good thing but it's Scholes and I was happy as shit to see him running around the pitch.
He's old and he should only come on as a sub when we need to retain possession.
Wonder how Gibson feels right now. Is he injured? Or just dead to Fergie?
He's old and he should only come on as a sub when we need to retain possession.
Wonder how Gibson feels right now. Is he injured? Or just dead to Fergie?
Correct.
And we brought back into our squad another £25million wot of talent in Cleverley and Welbeck.
And we bought Hernandez, Bebe, Smalling the season before.
The Glazer issue, whilst a handicap, is over abused and a red herring. I said it ... go on, now shoot me for it.
I struggle to get 50% passing when I get back to Football after a summer out and thats with training, whereas after a few games I usually get about 70%-80%-ish. I think some are underestimating how good that 69 out of 71 passes ratio is. Thats ridiculous for 30 minutes. I don't care how short they are or where there going, immense stat. Just a shame the two that didn't make it were terrible -_-
I mean I don't expect great things from him, but thats the kind of assurance in possession we've needed this year, I expect him just to be Carricks back up in the DM behind another 2 more than anything.
I mean I don't expect great things from him, but thats the kind of assurance in possession we've needed this year, I expect him just to be Carricks back up in the DM behind another 2 more than anything.
Thats means nothing the truth is in the last three seasons we have bought players for 50m but sold players for 67m
So in fact the Glazers have spent nothing on transfers, they have in fact made around 10m.
In the last three seasons we have bought players for 50m but sold players for 67m
So in fact the Glazers have spent nothing on transfers, they have in fact made around 10m.
You talk just like Rafa "we have no money to spend" Benitez. We have reinvested the money back into the team. Facht.
So our model is the team that has won feck all for years and looks ever less likely to do so? Splendid!
Not denying its an apt comparison. It's just a sad state of affairs, is all. You are right, we can't compete financially.
But yes, he is a good addition, a great player, and free. Just a shame we haven't got the clout to sign a player who would actually enable us to compete at the top level. Because when the euphoria of today subsides, the truth will remain that we lack quality in midfield.
Well the fact is we have no money to spend.
Net spent is bullshit
The squad we have is good enough.
Forget the money, what changes would you like to see?
Big money talented young keeper and a decent backup
Very good set of defenders. Could do with a backup LB, but that isnt something restricted by money. That has been the case for a while now and Fryers has been given a look in this season.
Probably the best set of wingers in the league
One of the best set of strikers in the league (Only City compete)
The only area where we need someone is in the middle. Fergie has said that we are looking at a top midfielder and have a list. But we cant force a deal.
Chelsea couldnt get Tottenham to sell despite the player having his head turned and being desperate for a move, and they have much more to throw around. Sometimes it just doesnt work on time. We'll get someone in eventually. Till then the set we had going into the season was decent enough to get the job done. Clev,Anderson being injured for long terms and Fletch being forced to take a break made matters a lot worse. Anderson is back, Clev will return soon. Scholes will do a job. We are still looking for a top midfielder. Fergie has made that clear.
There is not much else to do.
If we can get a squad like we have after having a net spent of -100m, doesnt matter.
Ummm ... hard enough for me to think of it as "shrewd" rather than embarrassing
Who would you have paid too much for at this time of year instead?
Yep. It's seems we're as skint as Arsenal hence the Ajax/Wenger model being used at United. Our core's very young, too young and the older players are nearing the end of their careers - that said, I can see Giggs and Scholes play till they're 50. We need a couple of quality players in their mid 20s...otherwise we'll just have to lower expectations.
Ummm ... hard enough for me to think of it as "shrewd" rather than embarrassing
Who would you have paid too much for at this time of year instead?
If I knew that I'd be a scout for United wouldn't I? OK Shrewd then
If we are that hard up why are spending £18m on a winger who isn't critical to our team? Just floating that out there.
I'd just like to remind you how much we spent in previous seasons then.
Yeah, we spent money in the summer and got some good players. But the way the clubs been running in recent years the coffers would be overflowing if it wasn't for Glazers. I have very little doubt some of that cash would've been used on a central midfielder that Fergie just simply wanted no matter the price.
What did we do with Berbatov then? And other players before him. Throw enough money at the club, make the player want the move and it will happen sooner or later.
When did Fergie say that he's after a top midfielder and that he has a list?
I'd say that we did need another winger in the team, which is why we got Young. Especially when we use Valencia as cover for the right back. Getting a central midfielder would most likely have cost more (both higher transfer fee and higher wages).
The 'midfield' debate is beginning to really piss me off. Internet geeks who know feck all about football spouting the FM expertise as though its real life experience.
Those who know the realities of football know the score. Its an imperfect world and we are doing very well within it. No need for complaints at all.
I just wish these plastic transfer muppet fans of ours would feck off.
Meanwhile, yet another potentially great thread derailed by the anti glazer midfield transfer muppet brigade. There are plenty of other threads for you to post your views on that subject (for the 637th time), but hey, don't let that stop you welcoming the Ginger Prince back to our ranks.
Those who know the realities of football know the score. Its an imperfect world and we are doing very well within it. No need for complaints at all.
I just wish these plastic transfer muppet fans of ours would feck off.
Meanwhile, yet another potentially great thread derailed by the anti glazer midfield transfer muppet brigade. There are plenty of other threads for you to post your views on that subject (for the 637th time), but hey, don't let that stop you welcoming the Ginger Prince back to our ranks.
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