I do agree with the consensus of the posts, great player, sorely mistimed tackles, but phenomenal otherwise. If you watched the testimonial, the goal he scored was the perfect example of his clean strikes. On a side note, I respect that he was never in the media with dirt on him (scandals, lawsuits, etc...) That many years on the pitch with his every movement being scrutinized, and no huge drama that I can recall...
gerrard scores more goals, performs in the biggest games and can virtually carry a poor team to the top 4 season after season. he has scored and won in every major domestic cup final and captained his team to the champs lge triumph. scholes is a good player but he isnt on gerrard's level imo
also scholes isnt very versatile where as gerrard has played nearly every position on the pitch for us RD, CD, RM, CM,DM, AM, LM, STR considering gerrard only became an attacking midfielder in 2005 he has spent half his career playing as a holding/defensive player - making his scoring rate even more impressive
Scholes was a fantastic player and of the exact same level as Gerrard, however both sadly get pushed out wide left for England to fit Lampard who will never be a player as good as those two.
Roy Keane said about Scholes (and he should know) that he knew exactly what he was doing with his tackles. The final words should remain with Zidane - Scholes was the best footballer he had EVER seen. Not quite as good as Jimmy Greenhoff, but who was
Paul Scholes was a truly great player and model pro. Never saw him splashed in the papers for banging some old hound or stumbling out some dodgy nightclub with some slapper on his arm. He was the spark in Uniteds midfield, goals, passing and right attitude. Couldn't tackle to save his arse. Will be a big loss to Utd.
Actually he said Scholes was his toughest opponent which is very different. But I heard Keane say that as well about him. Not taking anything away from the guy though, a really good player to watch.
If he could've added tackling to his overall repetoire,He would have been mentioned in the same breath as Zidane. his inability to tackle only slightly puts him ahead of Gerrard.
**** me! What is going on? I say the opposite, his tackling inability is what keeps him behind gerrard.
Manchester United fans: Truly honour this post as it is the closest thing you'll get to a compliment from KPR
Scholes has a massive flaw in his inability to tackle,but he was less inclined than Gerrard to go missing in games which is Gerrards one flaw. And lets be fair Gerrard does go missing in games due to his lack of discipline. Kaka and Gattuso ran over him in the 2005 Cl final until Didi Hamann appeared. Thats how Gerrard began to dominate, he had security. Theres nothing wrong with that whatsoever, Scholes generally played alongside a tackler to compensate for his one weakness. Gerrard played alongside security ie Didi,Xabi,Masch,Lucas to compensate for his.
Love how some fans take hear say as gospel and then add their own details. Zidane said he wished he could have played with him, and to be fair called him the 'greatest midfielder of his generation', however since Gerrard isn't of Scholes' generation, then these comments have about as much worth as Zidane saying Gerrard might well be the best player in the world. Scholes was a very classy player, but still had big deficiencies to his game. I'm not saying Gerrard is better, just that if Scholes is the best player you've ever seen you need your head testing, or simply should watch more football.
Well done lads. It seems that the hatred between our two teams does have its limits. Will miss Scholesy, a true professional, with buckets of ability too!
Scholes was class, there is no doubting that. Better than Gerrard? Tough one. I'd say Gerrard, especialy if you consider the quality of what he's had around him compared to Scholes.
If you could combine the two,ie Gerrards tackling and Scholes discipline,I reckon you would have one hell of a player.
