Paul Scholes Named His All-Time Greatest 11 of Man United Teammates

For many fans and teammates alike, Paul Scholes is one of the greatest players to have ever donned the Manchester United jersey. Known for his exceptional vision and passing ability, Scholes was a key figure in the team’s success throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning a reputation as a midfield maestro.

Known by his peers as ‘Sat Nav’ because of his innate passing ability, the playmaker would be in most people’s all-time United XI. However, back in 2009, the man himself was asked which of his teammates he would choose in a starting line-up, both past and present.

With so many incredible names to choose from, the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo incredibly missed out as Scholes selected his XI, with the former midfielder noting that “picking the team makes me realise how many top players I’ve been lucky enough to play with. Even choosing who’d be on the bench was hard!”

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Goalkeeper and Defence

Peter Schmeichel, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Denis Irwin

Starting things off in between the sticks, there were only really two options for Scholes to pick from: either Edwin van der Sar or Peter Schmeichel. In the end, he opted for the Great Dane, whom he shared the pitch with in the 1990s, saying, “Peter was unbeatable on his day – definitely the best keeper I’ve ever played with.”

On the right, it had to be fellow Class of ’92 member Gary Neville, who spent most of Scholes’ career marauding up and down that flank, supporting David Beckham and/or Cristiano Ronaldo. If anyone was seemingly going to challenge the now-Sky Sports pundit, it would have been the man Scholes chose to stick at left-back, Denis Irwin, with the former midfielder claiming that “you could put Denis on either flank and he would put in a brilliant performance.”

In the middle, the former England international started with countryman Rio Ferdinand, who is deemed to be one of the best defenders in Premier League history. However, the man beside him was a more eye-catching option. Instead of selecting the likes of Steve Bruce, Jaap Stam, or Nemanja Vidic, Scholes opted for Wes Brown, who had just notched up an assist in the Champions League final a few months prior to when Scholes picked his team.

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Midfield

Scholes opted for a flat 4-4-2 formation, which negated the need for out-and-out wingers, meaning there was no room for someone like the future five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo. On the right is the man the Portuguese actually replaced in David Beckham, as Scholes said, “Becks could put the ball wherever he wanted; a great player to have on the wing.”

On the left was the third and final member of the Class of ’92 to make the team, Ryan Giggs. The Welshman has made more appearances for the Red Devils than any other player and, therefore, was a no-brainer for his ex-teammate and current co-owner of Salford City.

In the middle, Scholes left himself out and stuck with two former captains. He and Roy Keane formed a formidable central midfield partnership during their primes, competing with and coming out on top against some of the best domestically and in Europe. In the other spot is ‘Captain Marvel’ Bryan Robson, who may have been at the tail end of his career when Scholes got to mingle with him but has an incredible legacy at the Theatre of Dreams.

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Attack

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Teddy Sheringham

The front two are, on paper, two men that would work perfectly with one another. On one hand, you have Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is one of the most brutal and clinical finishers the Premier League has ever seen. The Dutchman once admitted to Gary Neville that he loved playing with Scholes, and the feeling was mutual, according to the midfielder, who stated that “Ruud could score from anywhere in the 18-yard area.”

While many may have expected Eric Cantona or Wayne Rooney, Scholes instead went for Teddy Sheringham as his final pick. Sheringham was often a striker who would supplement the focal point, having done so expertly for England when playing alongside Alan Shearer. However, he still scored one of the most important goals in United history – the equaliser in the famous 1999 Champions League final.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt – accurate as of 11/01/2025