Filed under: Manchester United, Premier League, Football
As the old adage goes, you are a long time retired.Manchester United great Gary Neville has only been out of the game since February and it already looks as if time is dragging for him, so much so that he has implored Paul Scholes not to follow him onto the sidelines and into the history books.
The veteran midfielder is expected to call it quits once he has - hopefully - played in United's Champions League final encounter against Barcelona on May 28.
However, Neville has told him to keep playing. And, for once, Neville will not find many people who disagree with him.
Scholes, at 36, may not be as quick as he was, as sharp as he was or as supple and as energetic as he was, but there is no doubt that he is still a magnificent footballer and, along with team mate Ryan Giggs, arguably the finest player the Britain has produced in a generation or more.
United may well be creeping forward into an era without Scholes but that does not mean they can do without him quite yet.
Having Scholes's hand on the tiller offers United's midfield the opportunity and freedom to express itself.
He has done it and seen it all and there can be little doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson's side remains a more potent threat with him than without him.
"I've watched him play for the last few months and I'd say carry on," said Neville. "If I was playing at the ability level he reaches and making the contribution he still makes in games, I would carry on.
"Paul is his own man though. He won't be influenced by what I say or others.
"Obviously the manager will be speaking to him and he'll come to the right decision for himself and his family.
"I look at him as a Manchester United fan now and a friend and I want to see him play.
"He'll make his own decision. He knows what he's going to do. He's experienced, he knows his own body and how he's feeling physically and mentally.
"All I can say is I'd hope to see him play forever because he's just a joy to watch."
Neville is spot on when he says Scholes is a joy to watch but his importance to United runs deeper than mere aesthetics.
He is a bridge between the old United and the new United; he is one of the senior prefects from the 'Class of 92' and the whole of Old Trafford will want him to stay on next season so he can teach Ferguson's new pupils what it takes to mirror his astonishing success at the highest level.
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