Darren Fletcher Hopes To Draw England In Qualifiers

Image Credit Flickr User AtilatheHun

Darren Fletcher has today insisted that he would love to lock horns with the English should the Three Lions be drawn in the same group as Scotland when the World Cup qualifying draw is picked this Saturday in Rio. England could face Craig Levein’s Scotland with Fabio’s men being drawn in pot one and the Scots in pot four where both sides could battle it out for a place in the 2014 finals in Brazil.

"I would love to play them," Fletcher told BBC Scotland

"It is not something I would be fearful of, rather it is time we were playing them again.

"It would mean some banter on the Manchester United training ground with guys like Rooney and Ferdinand - and maybe a couple of solid kicks aimed at team-mates.

"But I think it would be good for the Scottish players and fans. It would be a massive game for us.

"I remember the Euro play-off at Hampden and Wembley in 1999 and it was fantastic to beat them, although we lost on aggregate to two goals from Paul Scholes."

Fletcher is currently battling is way back to fitness after missing the Premier League run-in and Champions League final, but the Scot is full of confidence that Scotland can make the Euro 2012 finals next year.
Scotland face a double-header European Qualifiers against Czech Republic and Lithuania which Scotland’s assistant Peter Houston describes as must-win games if they are to qualify.

He added; "I believe we can get to the play-off.

"Every game is a must win game and sometimes it is good when you know where you stand.

"You dream as a kid of playing for your country in a finals, whether it is World Cup or Euro, and I would hate it if when it is all over I never featured in either.

"But there is no denying the (World Cup) draw could bring us a group of death.

"It is not good being in pot four, but circumstances, including bad results in friendlies, have brought it upon us. All these things add up.

"However, we are a good side. More and more of the lads are coming down to England and playing at the top level.

"When everyone is fit Scotland have a very good core of a team.

"Charlie Adam, for example, was outstanding last season. 

"He is a talisman. Everyone is talking about him. He took the Premiership by storm."

Paul Scholes: Nasri Can Replace Me At United

Paul Scholes says that he hopes Arsenal’s Samir Nasri will join Manchester United this summer, Scholes always views the midfielder as the ideal player to replace him at United.

The Frenchman’s future has come under the spotlight recently and media speculation has suggested that he wants to leave the Gunners to win trophies.

Arsenal have gone six season without winning any silverware and Scholes insists that while Arsenal do play attractive football, this doesn’t win trophies.

After Gael Clichy transfer to Manchester City yesterday, Scholes feels that Nasri could well be the next one out the door at Arsenal.

Scholes says he would love to see Nasri playing for United next season, Reports have suggested that the France international is keen to move to Old Trafford  amid claims the Premier League champions will offer £20million for his services.

When asked if Nasri was coming to United, Scholes  said: "I hope so."

Scholes, who retired from football at the end of last season says Sir Alex Ferguson  would "not allow" United to go six years without a trophy.

"They just flatter to deceive," he said.

"They may play the prettiest football, but it doesn't always produce the results they need. It doesn't irritate me that people say they're the best footballing team because while they are doing that, we (United) are winning games.

"They do play the best football to watch at times, but what is the point of that if you are not winning anything? Not only that, they are potentially going to lose their best players in (Cesc) Fabregas, (Samir) Nasri and (Gael) Clichy.

"I don't think our manager would allow this club to go six years without a trophy."

Paul Scholes: England Need To Adopt The Spanish Way

Retired midfielder Paul Scholes has insisted that England are miles behind Spain in terms of keeping possession of the football, Scholes suggests the English players need adopt they way the team works as a unit.

In England the tactics are normally set out to get the ball down and run adopting an aggressive approach when tackling.

But with the way the Spaniard's play, you can hardly get anywhere near them.

The way the Spaniards pass the ball around, making teams chase them down to regain possession puts them head and shoulders above the rest, Spain’s Under 21’s dominated play against England in last night’s 1-1 draw in the European U21 Championship keeping possession for most of the game.

England's opponents dominating possession in a way in which has become the hallmark of Spanish sides and the former England player feels this is way the game should be played.

Scholes has also revealed that Alex Ferguson has asked him to prolong his career in an attempt to keep him play for United for as long as he can,

The 36-year-old won 10 Premier League titles with United, announced his retirement in May.

Scholes added; "The manager felt I could do 15 to 20 games next season.

"Physically I was not feeling great in training or the games towards the end of the season. I came to this decision which I think is the right one."

Bobby Charlton Pays Tribute To Paul Scholes

Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton joined the list of soccer icons leading tributes to Paul Scholes who announced he was retiring from football today,  the midfielder ended weeks of speculation on whether he would retire or not.

Charlton a former England international admits he is disappointed Scholes has finally hung up his boots, believing it is 'an absolute tragedy' he will no longer be playing for the United.

Bobby Charlton said; "Well I had a hint that it was going to happen and I was hoping that somebody would be brave enough to ask him to stay and hopefully get the right response.

"But he is not that type of person - once he makes up his mind to do something he's very singular minded.”

"And all I can think of is what an absolute tragedy that we have to be without him - he is such a fantastic player, a beautiful player to watch - and we will miss him certainly at Manchester United.

Charlton also added; "But I think more from the game's point of view that he was just priceless - he had vision, he could see instantly where people were and I used to sometimes hear people gasp when he made a pass that was just so pinpoint.

"He's just a fantastic player - a beautiful, beautiful footballer - and at Manchester United we've been very proud that he played for us for most of his career, for all of his career really, so I'm very disappointed in that respect but I love him as a person, he's a great lad, and he will be remembered forever at Manchester United, there's no question about that."

Fabio Capello tried unsuccessfully to lure Scholes out of England retirement for the last World Cup and Charlton was sorry he did not play more for the Three Lions.

He added: "And England - one of the things that maybe could have improved England was if he didn't love his family so much, he wanted to stay with his family rather than keep travelling to England.

Paul Scholes has been taking his coaching badges will join United’s coaching staff at Old Trafford.
"But he's a marvellous player and he's a great person, I love him to bits and we are very proud and we'll look after him for the rest of his career hopefully."

Wayne Rooney Leads Tributes To Paul Scholes

Wayne Rooney as the led the tributes after Paul Scholes announced his retirement from football today, Rooney has described the midfielder as the best player he has ever played with and against.

Scholes 36, decided to pull the curtain down in a glittering career at Old Trafford. The former England international made his debut for United in 1994, making 676 appearances, will now join the coaching staff at United next season.

Rooney has always been a huge admirer of the midfield maestro and suggests the hole left by Scholes retiring will be hard to fill.

The forward said; "He'll be missed greatly. I just heard the news this morning," Rooney.

"We knew he'd make a decision but didn't think it would be this quick. We're all sad to see him stop playing.
"He's been great for United and England and he'll be missed by all of us.

"He hasn't started that many games of late and I'm sure that's come into his head and he's made his decision.
"But he'll be a big miss for us. He's the best I've played with and against.

"He's only small but it's so difficult to get the ball off him. Every United fan will miss him."

Paul Scholes Retires

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has today confirmed that he will be retiring from the game with immediate effect; Scholes was part of the squad that lost the Champions League final against Barcelona on Saturday and has now called time on his colourful career.

The 36-year-old helped his club to a record-breaking 19th league title this season, but his last appearance was in the UEFA Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

Scholes will now remain at Old Trafford as a member of Sir Alex Ferguson's coaching staff from the beginning of next season.

But Ferguson was full of admiration for Scholes, as he told United's official website: "What more can I say about Paul Scholes that I haven't said before.

The Scot also went on to add; We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player. Paul has always been fully committed to this club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season.

"Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role."

Scholes said: "I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour.

"This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing.

"To have been part of the team that helped the Club reach that 19th title is a great privilege."

Paul Scholes To Delay Retirement

Manchester United manager has suggested that Paul Scholes will put his retirement on hold for another season; Alex Ferguson has been in talks with the midfielder in an attempt to delay his decision.

United chief executive David Gill hinted last week that Scholes could hang up his boots after this season, the midfielder has scored 150 goals in 674 appearances while spending his entire career at Old Trafford.

Alex Ferguson said; "I don't think this will be his last game,"

A deal has yet to be agreed, but Ferguson is confident Scholes will still be at United next season.

"We have discussed it and I have encouraged him to stay on for another year.

"We'll talk at the end of the season."