Paul Scholes hesitated when he was asked who is the best Manchester United player of all time before he singled out one potential candidate for the distinguished title.
The 50-year-old Manchester United legend is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time after a legendary playing career.
Paul Scholes rose through the ranks of the United youth academy in the 1990s before establishing himself in the Red Devils first team under Sir Alex Ferguson.
A ‘Class of ‘92’ success story, the former United star spent his entire remarkable playing career at Old Trafford and hoovered up the major silverware at the club.
During his time under Sir Alex Ferguson, Scholes lifted 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups with United.
The former England international was a linchpin midfield influence for former United manager Ferguson and made 714 appearances for the Red Devils.
Scholes initially called it time on his illustrious playing career in 2011 before he made a stunning U-turn and returned to Old Trafford as a player in 2012.
The ex-United midfielder was part of the last Red Devils squad to win the Premier League title in the 2012-13 season before he retired from football in 2013.
Scholes on Man Utd GOAT debate
Speaking to TNT Sports, Paul Scholes took part in a series of different questions and one included the Manchester United player who would be the ‘GOAT’ in his eyes.
The former Three Lions star admitted that United’s ‘Holy Trinity’ of George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton would all be in contention in the GOAT debate.
However, Scholes insisted that he would pick the best player he played alongside and he named none other than fellow United legend Ryan Giggs.
Ryan Giggs, much like Scholes, was one of the famed ‘Class of ‘92’ breakout stars under Sir Alex Ferguson and spent his entire legendary career at Old Trafford.
The 51-year-old Welshman is United’s all-time leading appearance-maker and Giggs was part of every single one of Ferguson’s Premier League title-winning squads.
Giggs lifted 13 Premier League trophies, two Champions League titles, four FA Cups and four League Cups before he retired from football in 2014.
When asked about United’s best player of all time, Scholes replied: “Ohh! People would just say Bobby Charlton, George Best, Denis Law, these types of people.
“I’d say the best player I played with was definitely Ryan Giggs. He has to be up there as one of the best players ever to have played for Man United as well.”
Scholes talks up Man Utd legend Giggs
Scholes and Ryan Giggs shared a close relationship on the pitch and off it after their time in the United youth academy and during their respective playing careers.
The United legend previously admitted that it was “easy” to name Giggs as his best teammate of all time and he was in awe at the Welshman’s brilliance.
When asked about his best teammate, Scholes told the MUTV Group Chat in 2020: “Ryan Giggs. Easy one.”
He added: “But, you know, Giggsy was… Giggsy was special and you know from that exciting young, quick player going past people, flying past people, them big European nights on a Wednesday night, your job was made simple.
“Just get your ball to Giggsy, get your ball to Cristiano [Ronaldo] to David Beckham and they produce excitement for you.
“And then for Giggsy to go on as long as he did, for the longevity of his career to then to go into the centre midfield when – look, he was still quick, don’t get me wrong, but he was nowhere as quick as he was as a left-sided player.
“But he went into that position and he was equally as good in that position.
“So, whenever anybody asks me, it’s very difficult to answer, but Ryan Giggs will always be the best.”
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