UEFA Champions League 2007-08. Semi final. Manchester United vs Barcelona. Second leg.
The first leg had been an eventful 0-0 draw at Camp Nou. Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty miss in the 3rd minute was deemed potentially costlier than gold in Dubai. You do not miss penalties in a knock-out tie at Camp Nou. You just don’t. Besides that, Barcelona pretty much controlled the game and threatened to make United pay for their first-leg profligacy in the return match at Old Trafford.
14th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo takes the ball on the left wing. Goes past Milito and Yaya Toure. Zambrotta intercepts his run and takes the ball, but misplaces his pass. To Paul Scholes. This is what followed.
Seasoned United fans will tell you that it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. They’re used to Paul Scholes scoring scorchers like these. Of course, the likelihood of consistently finding him on the scoresheet was lesser than most other midfield superstars of the last two generations, but he wasn’t too bad either. 155 goals over 19 seasons isn’t a bad record for a central midfielder. Besides, central midfielders and statistics don’t bond quite well. They are the pass-masters. The engine of the team, if you like. Probably the biggest compliment for Scholes is that he has been Manchester United’s engine for all these years with a manager who quite evidently has a marked affinity for wing-play. Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t really the central midfield person. Over his tenure, you won’t find too many central midfielders who have left a glowing legacy, a la some of the wingers and strikers he’s had. Says a lot about Scholes, yeah? Yes.