Which version of Scholes was the best?

Which version of Scholes was the best?

  • 1995-1997 - Striker/Second Striker

  • 1998-2001 - Central Mid - Box to Box

  • 2002-2004 - Number 10 - behind Van Nistelrooy

  • 2006-2010 - Deep-Lying Playmaker

Results are only viewable after voting.

tentan

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I only really saw Scholes in his latter years at United, but which version was he at his best? I suppose his style of play kinda changed as he got older.

Is it fair to say there were 4 versions of Scholes?

1995-1997 - Striker/Second Striker
1998-2001 - Central Mid - box to box
2002-2004 - A number 10 - behind Van Nistelrooy
2006-2010 - More of deep-lying playmaker
 
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2006-2010 for me - was the beautiful to watch and nobody could get near him
 
You could probably add a 4th phase as a striker. Was almost a solskjaer like super sub for his first year or two.
I'd say 2006 on was his best phase, the earlier phase as a midfielder was very good too though, it would probably have been a fairly natural development without the period behind Van Nistelrooy. He was good as a 10 but i dont think it was our best period as a team and that drags it down a bit.
 
tentan said:
I only really saw Scholes in his latter years at United, but which version was he at his best? I suppose his style of play kinda changed as he got older.

Is it fair to say there were 3 versions of Scholes?

1996-2001 - Central Mid - box to box
2002-2004 - A number 10 - behind Van Nistelrooy
2006-2010 - More of deep-lying playmaker
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2006-10 for me. He was playing as a "regista" and he was incredible. His passing range was simply outrageous and his playmaking abilities were incredible. 2006-07 version of Scholes is peak Scholes for me.
 
tentan said:
I only really saw Scholes in his latter years at United, but which version was he at his best? I suppose his style of play kinda changed as he got older.

Is it fair to say there were 3 versions of Scholes?

1996-2001 - Central Mid - box to box
2002-2004 - A number 10 - behind Van Nistelrooy
2006-2010 - More of deep-lying playmaker
Click to expand...

He was a striker/second striker from 95-97
 
06-07 onward without a doubt. He was an excellent player whatever role he played but the deeper position suited him best I think. As far as best individual seasons go for United midfielders I'd say Scholes 06-07 is up there with Keane's best seasons (98-99, 99-00) and Carrick 12-13.
 
caid said:
You could probably add a 4th phase as a striker. Was almost a solskjaer like super sub for his first year or two.
Click to expand...

I remember Sir Alex bringing in Scholes as a sub in the 1995 Cup Final that we lost against Everton. Scholes was a complete rookie yet almost scored against Neville Southall, who had to make a great save to deny Scholes. Then I knew, we had a great talent in our team.
 
If you disregard effectiveness, and only focus on the enjoyment aspect, I really liked his second striker role. The way he would time his runs into the box or unleash shots and volleys was breathtaking to watch.
 
Tallis said:
If you disregard effectiveness, and only focus on the enjoyment aspect, I really liked his second striker role. The way he would time his runs into the box or unleash shots and volleys was breathtaking to watch.
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I'd say Rooney pushed him deeper as much as anything. He was great wherever he played really.
 
My nostalgic heart likes that 1998-2001 - Central Mid - box to box so much. He just had so much energy, scoring thumping goals, and he exerted a presence as central midfielder. He's like a more polished B2B version of young Gerrard, which I was also very fond of.
 
This is actually a tough question. Scholes was superb in all three roles once he was moved back to CM.
 
I have never ever seen someone ping 40-50 yard passes consistently to wingers inch perfectly. Also, never seen someone with a better shot from distance. I know people say Gerrard was close/better but if we had as detailed stats as we do today and the stats obsessed (Bruno fans) folks would look it up, I'm sure Scholes's shot to goals ratio would be much better.

Deep lying playmaker for me.
 
Luffy said:
I remember Sir Alex bringing in Scholes as a sub in the 1995 Cup Final that we lost against Everton. Scholes was a complete rookie yet almost scored against Neville Southall, who had to make a great save to deny Scholes. Then I knew, we had a great talent in our team.
Click to expand...
From memory, the rebound was a sitter? :lol:
 
He was great as a playmaker, his passing range and accuracy was insane, but for some reason I still prefer the box to box version of him, which is completely down to personal taste and the goals he scored in that role. *droolsmily*
 
PAUL SCHOLES: The most overrated player to play for Manchester United. (A good player, but absolutely overrated)

RYAN GIGGS: The most underrated and underappreciated player to ever play for Manchester United.
 
I think I’ll go for the DLP. Really torn between that and b2b, but the deciding factor is that the midfield was his in 2006, whereas in ‘99, it was Keane’s. Scholes was an absolute master of his craft in the final role and dictated the tempo of the entire team so I’ll give him his flowers for that.
 
2002-2003 was his best by a country mile. He was unstoppable. By 2006, he was still a classy player but was understandably not the player he was around the turn of the millennium.
 
The last one, as there's just so few people in the World that can do this.

The level and the weight he made those key passes has never been surpassed, and I'm not sure I've seen someone before him at that level neither in that role.
 
Certainly not the pundit version.
 
Easily that 02/03 season. Generally I prefer the peak Scholes of around 1998 to 2005. He was more dynamic, scored more goals, just generally contributed more.

He was great in the deeper role from 2006 to 2008 but after that didn’t really have the legs for it as a mainstay and wasn’t first choice in midfield for the rest of his career. Still valuable to have though.
 
Not 2006-10. Yes he passed the ball beautifully and struck it possibly like no other but it also very boring. He was effective at what he did but a lot of the excitement of earlier years was gone.
 
I am torn between B2B and DLP Scholes.

As a B2B I loved how he arrived in the box and unleash a rocket into the top Corner.

I think his role as a DLP os understated. Scholes dictated the Tempo at which the other 19 outfield players played.I still remember vividly his rocket against Barca in the Semi final 08 CL.

DLP Schloles would have been helpful now.Since Carrick retired we have been treating the ball like a grenade in midfield.
 
I absolutely loved the Scholes x Carrick midfield partnership.
 
This is hard - because I view it as which Scholes had the biggest impact? Obviously in CM with Keane the team had huge success, but did he have as much impact then? I'm inclined to think that no.10 Scholes had the most impact but deep lying Scholes at the end of his career was actually the best player. I don't know.
 
My favorite ever player and this thread is a nice reminder of just how good a player he was. I loved the deeper playing Scholes nearing the end of his career, his passing range and ability to control a game was simply world class.
 
What’s amazing is he was absolute class in all of them. Three roles that you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who could master them all these days
 
I'd make the distinction between his best position probably being deeper as a 6, but he was his most impactful and at his physical peak as an attacking 8 from around 1998 to 2003.
 
I was too young to really pay attention in his first couple of years, but old enough to see the highlights of them (before he really turned into a midfielder) and remember people talking about his insane runs. So while probably not the "best" I voted first for it being the most exciting. Although I somehow remember him more as attacking winger than second striker, but that might be my memory.
 
Probably his latter years are more appreciated as his passing was just insane and had such variety, but I think he was really elite in behind the striker as well.
 
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