Manchester United legend Paul Scholes insisted that it was an “easy” decision for him to choose the best striker that he played alongside at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes’ entire playing career – across two different spells – was spent at Old Trafford and the Manchester United legend enjoyed incredible success with the club.
The 49-year-old lifted 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups under ex-United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson widely hailed Scholes’ impact at Old Trafford, with the legendary former Red Devils boss naming him among the four world-class players he managed.
Scholes, who initially retired from United in 2011 before making a U-turn in 2012, is widely considered one of, if not, the best Premier League midfielders of all time.
Roy Keane insisted Scholes was the best player he played alongside, with the United legend picking him among three legendary ex-footballers who were better than him.
During his prolific career at Old Trafford, Scholes shared the pitch with several legendary former strikers, including Wayne Rooney, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.
However, Scholes revealed that one former United striker stood out in his mind above the rest, saying he was “hungry” in front of the net and was a lethal finisher.
Scholes in awe at Man Utd legend
During an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606 Savage Social, Paul Scholes was asked by former teammate Michael Owen about his experiences with strikers.
Former England and Manchester United striker Owen wanted to know from Scholes who was the one forward that he shared the best chemistry with on the pitch.
While Scholes insisted that he didn’t want to “disrespect” his former teammates, the ex-England and United midfielder picked none other than Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Speaking to Robbie Savage, Scholes said in 2020: “That’s an easy one. I don’t want to disrespect any of the other forwards because I’ve played with some amazing players, especially at United.
“Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar [Solskjaer] at the time, but I always thought I had the best connection with Ruud van Nistelrooy.
“I played the season with him; I think I scored 20 goals playing as a [No] 10. I knew what he wanted, I knew the runs he’d make and where he wanted the ball.
“What a finisher. That man was just hungry. His life depended on scoring goals. He was the one I felt I had a great connection with.”
Scholes and Van Nistelrooy at Man Utd
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is considered one of the best strikers of all time, was a fan favourite at United and enjoyed a prolific career at Old Trafford.
Signed from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2001, the 47-year-old Dutchman scored an impressive 150 times in 219 appearances during his five seasons at United.
Van Nistelrooy lifted a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup before his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson fractured and was sold to Real Madrid in 2006.
Scholes has previously disagreed with Gary Neville over Van Nistelrooy’s place in the team, with his fellow United legend preferring other strikers he played alongside.
However, former England international Scholes moved from a more central role in midfield to a No 10 to support a goalscoring machine like Van Nistelrooy in attack.
Scholes recalled his experience of first seeing the former Netherlands striker in training at United and was in awe at Van Nistelrooy’s ruthless finishing ability.
“I always had a bit of a connection with Ruud, I didn’t really need to speak to him it was just a little look, I knew what he wanted, he knew what I wanted,” he told the MUTV Group Chat in 2020.
“I just love the fact that his life was goals, it’s the only thing he thought about, I don’t think he ever thought about anything else.
“Whether he got up in the morning or went to bed at night he was just thinking about scoring goals.
“I remember the first day seeing him in training watching him finish and you just look back and think, ‘Wow, this lad, he’s going to score loads and loads of goals.’”
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