Paul Scholes did not hesitate to name the “best finisher” and “ruthless finisher” that he played alongside during his legendary Manchester United playing career.
The 49-year-old Manchester United legend carved out a remarkable playing career during his two spells at Old Trafford under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
A famed member of the ‘Class of ’92,’ Paul Scholes made a whopping 713 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 153 times for United.
The former United and England midfielder lifted 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups in his career.
Scholes initially called it time on his legendary career in 2011 before the United legend made a U-turn and returned to Old Trafford in 2012.
The ex-England international captured United’s last Premier League trophy in the 2012-13 season before he retired for the second – and final – time in his career.
Man Utd legend Scholes names best finisher
During his longstanding career at Old Trafford, Paul Scholes was a linchpin midfield figure for Sir Alex Ferguson and crossed his path with his fair share of strikers.
The United legend played alongside several club legends, including former strikers Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes dropped his verdict on Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and his incredible goalscoring impact in the Premier League.
The former Three Lions star namechecked United legends Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Ruud van Nistelrooy during his conversation about Erling Haaland.
Scholes admitted that Van Nistelrooy, who is currently part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff, is the most “ruthless finisher” and “best finisher” he played alongside.
“There’s not many forwards that I played with, some unbelievable [centre-forwards] like Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke,” he said.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy, I probably thought was the most ruthless finisher and best finisher I ever played with, but it’s just having that confidence with somebody like that when you think he’s going through.
“Some forwards that go through, have chances, you think, ‘I’m not sure.’ But [Erling] Haaland, it’s a goal.”
Scholes on playing alongside Van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy is widely considered one of the best strikers of all time and the United legend had a devastating impact in the final third during his time in England.
Scholes has previously waxed lyrical about the United assistant manager and Ferguson would even play the former midfielder behind Van Nistelrooy.
The former United star admitted that he knew where Van Nistelrooy would want the ball without even speaking to him after playing as a No 10 for the Red Devils.
“I loved playing with Ruud because I knew what he wanted without speaking to him, if you know what I mean,” he said on The Overlap in 2022.
“I don’t think it’s true [that I was the only one who spotted his runs], but I just knew what he wanted and at that time I was playing No 10 really, I wasn’t playing in centre midfield.
“Do you know what, football is all about that, your relationships with people. I don’t think you see a lot of that these days.”
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