No 18 Paul Scholes - Centre Midfielder
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Birthday: 16th November 1974
Birthplace: Salford, England
Signed Professional: 23rd January 1993
Other Clubs: None
Senior Debut: 21nd September 1994 v Port Vale at Vale Park (League Cup)
Total Appearences (1994-): 207 (Including 54 as Substitute)
Total Goals (1994-): 54
Full International: England (21 Caps, 9 Goals)
Paul signed for United as a trainee in 1991 and turned professional 18 months later. Paul showed much promise in the Youth and Reserve teams, winning a F.A. Youth Cup winners' medal in 1992. Paul's debut was in the League Cup against Port Vale where he scored twice and in his league debut he also scored twice this time against Ipswich in 1994. The following season saw Paul establish himself in the United team as a striker. In the 1995-96 United pipped Newcastle to win their third Premier League title in four years, with Paul picking up his first major honor. To cap the season off he was in the starting line-up for the F.A. Cup Final victory against Liverpool to complete an historic 'Double Double'. However, over the last few seasons Paul has played in midfield, where he has established himself as first choice alongside Roy Keane. Playing in Midfield enables Paul to make late runs into the box and over the last few seasons he has scored some important goals, most noticeable in the San Siro against Inter last season. However, a booking in the Semi-Final second Leg against Juventus meant that, like fellow Red Roy Keane, Paul would have to sit out the European Cup Final. He did however have the small consolation of scoring one and laying one on for Teddy Sheringham in the FA Cup Final against Newcastle.
This season Paul appeared in the European South America Cup, but missed out on the trip to Brazil after having an operation. He is just starting to regain full fitness.
Paul has also has also represented his country on numerous occasions and was part of the Englands unsuccessful squad that went to France 98. However, since then he has almost single handedly took England to the European Championships at the end of this season by scoring a hat-trick against Poland and a brace against Scotland in the play-offs. For this he was named Englands Supporters Club Player of the Year for 1999.
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