Scholes Hails Send-off

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes Monday's Barclays Premier League trophy parade was the perfect send-off for fellow retiree Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Reds midfielder, who will hang up his boots at the end of the 2012/13 season, was almost at a loss for words to describe the incredible scenes in and around the city, even wondering if they bettered those that backdropped the 1999 Treble procession.

“I think we will remember this for a long time,” Paul told MUTV whilst riding the open-top bus. “The scenes here are incredible. I know we won the Treble in 1999 but I don’t remember it being anything like this. This is amazing and it is doubly special for the manager after his last game at Old Trafford. The fans have come out to say goodbye, which is nice.

“I think the manager is the biggest attraction today but it was a big season after the failure of last year. We knew we had to bounce back and we have managed to do that. You can see what it does to you. All the hard work is worth it when you see this many people turn up and look so happy.”

When asked if such a rousing ovation from United fans might change his mind about retiring, Scholes was typically blunt in his response: “No, I know it is the right time. But this is brilliant and is a great way to go. You can’t ask for any more than winning the league.”

Of course, Scholes has only one more match to play – this Sunday’s trip to West Brom – before he walks away from both the club and manager he has played for all his life. And he is more than aware of how difficult it will be.

“United means everything really,” he explained. “I have been here since leaving school and it will be difficult because it is all I have ever known. To walk away, you have to do it some time and I think I am ready for it now.

“Sir Alex has meant everything to me and every other player he has had. He is an incredible person, he tries to make his players, not just good players but proper people as well and he has managed to do with every player he has had here.”