Paul Scholes’ three toughest opponents included ex-Man Utd player who was ‘absolute nuisance’ to play against

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Paul Scholes revealed that a “dead quick” former Manchester United player was one of his three toughest opponents in his illustrious playing career.

The 48-year-old United legend spent his entire club playing career at Old Trafford and hoovered up a plethora of major silverware under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Named as one of Ferguson’s four world-class players at United, Scholes captured 11 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups.

Scholes, who initially retired in 2011 before making a U-turn, came up against elite competition during his time at United and had his work cut out in midfield.

Despite having the likes of Roy Keane to partner with him, Scholes admitted that there were three players who stood out in his mind as his toughest opponents on the pitch.

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Scholes called Robbie Savage an ‘absolute nuisance‘

Speaking on BBC Radio 5’s Savage Social in 2020 (via the Manchester Evening News), Scholes opened up to Robbie Savage about the problems that he would cause him on the pitch.

Along with former United player Savage, Scholes’ two other toughest opponents were Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and ex-West Ham man Papa Bouba Diop.

“When I played central midfield, I like to go into games thinking: ‘I just want to have all the time in the world here, just nobody around me, just find a little bit of space and pass the ball around.’

“Then you play against people like you [Savage]. An absolute nuisance, trying to close you down dead quick. I don’t want that; I just want it nice and relaxed.

“The way I played I didn’t really have to beat people or be stronger, quicker than the other person.

“I suppose Patrick Vieira, you play against him, he is so long, he is so big. You think you’ve got the ball, and the next minute he nicks it over your head, he was a clever player as well.

“There’s one more that people won’t think of. We used to play against Portsmouth. Do you remember Papa Bouba Diop? Big, massive. They used to call him ‘the Wardrobe.’

“You get involved physically with him and you’re wasting your time. I always found him awkward to play against. He wasn’t a Vieira, of course he wasn’t, but he still had talent.”

Savage’s time at United

Savage failed to establish himself at United under Ferguson, despite starting off his career at Old Trafford.

While the 49-year-old never made a senior appearance for United, Savage went on to play for the likes of Crewe Alexandra, Leicester City and Derby County.

Robbie, however, was fortunate enough to see his son Charlie Savage follow in his footsteps and even make his senior debut for United in the Champions League in 2021.

Charlie, who also began his career at Old Trafford, left United in the summer and signed for League One side Reading in a bid to secure more regular first-team experience.