Scholes: Season by season

"If he doesn't make it, we might as well all pack up and go home," said Sir Alex Ferguson of Paul Scholes.

Well, the midfield magician certainly did make it and here's a review of his stunning career at United.

1994/1995: 6(11) games / 5 goals
21 September 1994 was the day that marked Scholes' introduction to the first team with a brilliant brace in the Coca-Cola Cup at Port Vale. United had an extraordinary talent on their hands and he netted on his Premier League bow - at Ipswich - after replacing Lee Sharpe.

1995/1996: 16(10) games / 10 goals
Looking a real goal poacher, he came on at Bolton to score a quickfire brace in a 6-0 away win as United ended up doing the Double. Opened the scoring in the 5-0 rout against Nottingham Forest as the Reds closed in on the title and came on for Andy Cole in the FA Cup final against Liverpool. Although his goal was overshadowed by Peter Schmeichel's equaliser, he opened his European account against Rotor Volgograd.
 

1996/1997: 20(12) games / 6 goals
The Reds lifted the title and Paul scored in an important win at Blackburn in April, his third of the league campaign. Goals in consecutive FA Cup games against Spurs and Wimbledon showed his class, even though the Dons won the replay at Selhurst Park, as he battled hard for a regular starting spot. By now he was impressing at international level, lighting up Le Tournoi in June after making his England debut against South Africa.

1997/1998: 36(5) games / 10 goals
There was no trophy this term but Scholesy could still be proud of his efforts. Goals against Juventus and Feyenoord proved his quality on the European stage and he found the net eight times in the league, although Arsenal overturned United at the top. He went on to score England's first goal at the 1998 World Cup finals.

1998/1999: 37(13) games / 11 goals
The year of the Treble ended with Paul holding the European Cup aloft in front of the United fans, but in his grey suit as suspension ruled him out of the dramatic final. He'd more than played his part, contributing four goals on the road to Barcelona, including the equaliser away to Inter Milan. After overcoming illness to play in the FA Cup final, he scored one and set the other up as the second leg of the Treble was completed at Wembley. His work for England was also impressive, including a hat-trick against Poland.

1999/2000: 38(4) games / 12 goals
A hernia operation failed to have too much disruption on his campaign and the sumptuous volley at Bradford will go down as an all-time classic. "Paul is a star whether he likes it or not," wrote United's official yearbook as another title was wrapped up as early as 22 April. A hat-trick against West Ham was another highlight of a fabulous season for the midfield pass master, which included both goals in England's Euro 2000 play-off win against Scotland.

2000/2001: 40(4) games / 12 goals
Sharing his goals between the Premier League and Champions League, he cemented his position as one of Europe's best players. By signing a new contract, any worries of him being lured away to Serie A faded, and he looked settled in another title-winning team, scoring in the game against Coventry that virtually clinched the trophy. One of his goals against Panathinaikos was incredible - among the best seen in European competition at Old Trafford as it crowned an impressive display of keep-ball by United.

2001/2002: 45(5) games / 9 goals
A disappointing campaign as a whole for the club but Scholes racked up 50 appearances in all competitions and scored eight league goals. Many felt he wasn't at his best as a deep-lying forward behind Ruud van Nistelrooy and he looked more at home when reverting back to midfield later in the season. A bullet drive in a 3-0 win at Chelsea was one highlight.

2002/2003: 46(6) games / 20 goals
A personal-best goal tally of 20 made it a season to remember - his all-time favourite - for Paul. An incredible hat-trick at Newcastle lives long in the memory and he hit seven in the first six games of 2003 as United romped to an eighth Premier League title, with his header at Spurs in April giving the Reds one hand on the trophy.