Paul Scholes began as a United trainee on 8th July 1991 and turned professional 18 months later on 23rd July 1993. He won an FA Youth Cup winners' medal in 1992 and a runners-up medal in the same competition a year later. Scholes was also a member of the England Under-18 team which won the European Championships in 1993.

His full League debut was against Ipswich Town on 24th September 1994, where he scored twice in a shock 3-2 defeat. In the 1994-95 season Scholes became a regular player, in the absence of Eric Cantona (through suspension) and the injured Mark Hughes. He came on as a sub in the 1995 FA Cup final defeat to Everton. It was the following season however when Paul truly came to the fore in the "Fergie's Fledglings" team dominated by youth players such as Beckham and the Neville brothers. Scholes was the fans "Ginger Prince" to"King Eric" Cantona. He picked up his first major honours as United won the Premiership and FA Cup against Liverpool to complete a historic 'Double Double'.

A full international, Scholes scored on his international debut against Italy as well as his first international at Wembley. Paul played his part in the 1998 World Cup Finals, scoring in England's opening match against Tunisia, and starting all four of their games in the competition.

It has been said that Paul Scholes has one of the best football brains ever seen as Manchester United. He has been compared with greats such as Bryan Robson or Bobby Charlton for his ability to make late runs from deep positions, but in addition, with quick feet he can work openings from the tightest of situations.

Scholes always seems to play well on the big occasion. In Europe during the 1998-99 season he scored vital goals against Bayern, Barcelona and perhaps most importantly the deciding equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan at the San Siro. He also scored the second goal in the FA Cup Final against Newcastle. In fact Wembley was good hunting ground for him as he scored a hat-trick in England's 3-1 win over Poland later that year.

Whenever Scholes is the pitch United have that added creative edge up front. A busy creative player full of energy and ideas, his 98-99 season was marred by a series of bad tackles - the one part of his game that has been a weakness throughout his career. He missed the European Cup final through suspension, after a mis-timed challenge against Juventus and was sent off for England against Sweden in 1999.

In season 1999-2000 Scholes could have had three contenders for Goal of the season, a brilliant 25 yard volley straight from a corner against Bradford, a cunningly cheeky back-heel flick versus West Ham (he got a hat-trick in that game) and the walloping 30 yarder away to Middlesbrough. His clever creative play, passing and movement in the centre of midfield helped create the myriad of goal scoring chances which gave United 97 league goals. He also scored the two goals that beat Scotland and sent England to Euro 2000.

The highlight of season 2000-2001 for Scholes must have been his exquisite chip at Old Trafford against Panathinaikos - it followed a flowing move of 32 individual passes. He scored twice in that game and was a thorn in the Greeks side again when he equalised in the last minute against them in Athens for United and scored there again in June for England's 2-0 victory over Greece. His six goals in Europe that season meant he overtook Denis Law's European scoring record alongside Andy Cole. Another great goal was a fabulous 25 yard effort at home to Coventry and a similar strike home to Sunderland. Scholes had also become United's regular penalty taker.

With the arrival of Juan Sebastian Veron, Paul found a change of role at the start of the 2001/2002 season. Sir Alex Ferguson changed the midfielder's postion to that of a support striker - similar to the Cantona/Sheringham role in previous years. It had an adverse effect on Scholes whose midfield scheming and late runs did not seem to suit the new position and 4-4-1-1 strategy.

Paul's form took a alarming nosedive and he went on a goal-drought but with United back to form around Christmas things improved. He scored a total of nine goals in the season, (including a cracker away to Chelsea and two at home to Newcastle) but it was not the best of campaigns for Scholes. That said, he did play in the 2002 World Cup at the centre of the England midfield alongside fellow United stars, David Beckham and Nicky Butt.

Whilst his previous season was disappointing, the following season, Paul Scholes was simply brilliant. Scoring 20 goals in all competitions he played a big, big part in United reclaiming the Premiership title.

A stunning hat-trick at Newcastle in the 6-2 win is the stand-out moment, three goals, all different, but all executed with world class quality - and in a game that put United on the road to Premiership glory. Then there was also the last minute winner at home to Sunderland, a precious opening goal away to Tottenham, a cracker at West Brom, two late strikes at home to Everton and the decisive second in the 2-0 home win over Arsenal.

Scholesy scored for 6 games in row in January 2003 but it wasn't just his goals that made it a great season. In a tactical change he also played out on the left side cutting in to attack in a 4-3-3 style as opposed to the previous 4-4-2. And when Ferguson used 4-4-1-1 playing Scholes as an auxiliary striker behind van Nistelrooy it seemed to work much better than the season past. Alongside the prolific Dutchman, no one would deny that he was the deciding influence in Manchester United's title victory.

In 2003-2004 he netted 14 goals, 4 of which came against Manchester City. The most important strike was the winner against Arsenal at Villa Park in the FA Cup Semi-final. Memorable for the wrong reason was the perfectly good goal at home to Porto, wrongly ruled out for offside that led to United's exit from Europe.

Paul put his International goal drought to an end at Euro 2004 and then shocked many by retiring from the International scene - much to the dismay of Sven Goran Eriksson who tried more than once to persuade him otherwise. He has also twice turned down Steve McClaren's plea for him to come out of retirement. The truth was the midfielder no longer enjoyed the international scene as it affected his family life and meant more games, more wear and tear and fitness worries he could do without.

Scholes finished as third top scorer in 2004-2005 with 12 but had to wait 15 games to get his first goal. The increasing tendancy for Roy Keane to drop back in midfield left Paul covering a lot more ground in the middle and with less central support. Ultimately it was a season that would end in bitter disappointment as he missed the decisive penalty in the FA Cup final shoot-out as United lost 5-4 to Arsenal.

The first half of 2006 was overshadowed by a serious eye condition sustained by a blow to the head whilst playing Birmingham in late December. Scholes suffered blurred vision and was sent to numerous eye specialist's who failed to solve the problem. At one point there were concerns that the midfielder's career was finished. However, Scholes ended the campaign on an optimistic note, making a surprising appearance on the final day against Charlton Athletic.

Last season United fan's were overjoyed to find Scholes back to his very best form. He somehow put the injury long abscence from football behind him to recapture the glory days once again. Forming a partnership with Michael Carrick, he was reborn as the influential midfield schemer with his incisive passing and creativity.

Goal wise he scored the opener against Liverpool, a belter versus FC Copenhagen, two goals at Newcastle, a stunning 25 yard Goal of the Month strike at Aston Villa and a fine individual goal at home to Blackburn. He also produced an aducauious lob to help Wayne Rooney score against AC Milan. The only downside was his tackling led to two red cards but it was one small blemish on an outstanding year that saw the "Ginger Prince" pick up his seventh Premiership medal.