Paul Scholes has admitted playing alongside Argentina international Juan Sebastian Veron at Manchester United was ‘a disaster’.
The former England midfielder won 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions League trophies during his time between the years of 1993 and 2013 at Old Trafford.
The 47-year-old, who is regarded as a United great, revealed that he did find it difficult when he was not paired with a defensively minded midfielder, with Veron and Anderson named as two players he struggled to play alongside.
Veron joined United in a £28.1 million move from Lazio in 2001, at the time it was the most expensive transfer in English football in history, but he only lasted just two seasons at Old Trafford before he was sold at a significant loss to Chelsea.
Scholes much preferred lining up alongside the likes of Nicky Butt, Roy Keane and Michael Carrick over the years.
‘It didn’t really matter to me,' Scholes told his former United team-mate Gary Neville on The Overlap.
‘I played with Nicky [Butt], I played with Roy [Keane] – Michael Carrick. I loved playing with all of them. It wasn’t great playing with people who [were] attacking people, I needed someone who played that [defensive] position really well.’
Neville then asked: ‘Someone like Veron, you mean?’
Scholes replied: ‘Yeah, me and Veron were a disaster.
‘I think me and Anderson did it once. Just, no, it’s not working, is it? Just two lads who don’t care about defending, don’t know the [defensive] position that well.
‘But it worked better with a Michael or a Roy or a Nicky. They were brilliant playing that position, they knew.
‘I didn’t know the position that well, I didn’t play in the position that well, as you know.
'You were always moaning about, ‘stay with your runners’ and stuff. [I’d reply] ‘You get them! He’s running to you, you can see them, can’t you?’ I had to play with someone who was disciplined.’
Veron continued to have a great career after leaving England, winning four trophies at Inter Milan - including another Serie A title - and the Copa Liberatores with Estudiantes.
He continued to play for Argentina until 2010, earning 72 senior caps.
FaithEvans
0
You are calling his pairing with you a disaster because he was playing in his own position. What about his own style of play? He should not sacrifice it for your own gain too. That's why coaches should always get players who are necessarily needed to fit in to their game plan and not just buying because an opposition team is buying him
The pairing was honestly a disaster and Paul Scholes was obviously not the problem... he was successful with United before and after these players.
joaadmno
0
A typical Englishman. He like all his Man United mates were overrated.
yiaackmtyz
1
because he's not from England right
ClemJay
0
You are calling his pairing with you a disaster because he was playing in his own position. What about his own style of play? He should not sacrifice it for your own gain too. That's why coaches should always get players who are necessarily needed to fit in to their game plan and not just buying because an opposition team is buying him