Ferguson praises 'fantastic servant'

The Manchester United FC manager Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Paul Scholes as the midfielder joined an élite band of players to make 500 appearances for the club.

Opening goal
Scholes, 31, reached the landmark in yesterday's 2-0 victory against Liverpool FC, a game in which he scored the opening goal, joining team-mates Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs on the roll of honour. "To reach 500 games and be only the ninth person in our history to do that is terrific," Sir Alex said. "It's a great credit to the boy. We are very fortunate that we have three great examples of our club in Gary, Ryan and Paul, which speaks volumes for the type of people they are. Those three have been fantastic servants to us.

'Endurance'
"It's a credit, firstly, to their endurance to play as long as that in first-team football at this club, particularly with the demands and expectation, and their ability and their desire." Manchester-born Scholes joined United as a teenage striker but soon evolved into an attacking midfield player who has scored 132 goals for United since making his debut in 1994. He has won a string of domestic trophies under his Scottish manager, but was suspended for the 1999 UEFA Champions League final victory against FC Bayern München.

'Gifted lad'
Scholes retired from international football in 2004 after winning 66 England caps and overcame a serious eye injury last season to maintain his status as one of United's most influential players in an impressive start to this campaign which sees them leading the Premiership after nine games. "He's a gifted lad," Sir Alex continued. "Paul has got something we couldn't possibly have coached, which is a marvellous football brain. He has always had that."

'Big thing'
Scholes, who was presented with a silver plate to mark his achievement by Sir Bobby Charlton before the match, added: "Whether you're playing your first game or your 500th, playing for Manchester United is a big thing."