Retime

PAUL SCHOLES named Papa Bouba Diop as one of the toughest opponents he came up against.The former Fulham, Portsmouth and Senegal international sadly passed away at the age of 42 in November 2020.
Paul Scholes in action against Papa Bouba Diop back in 2008Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Diop died after a long illness, with his former clubs paying tribute to the 2008 FA Cup winner.
The ex-Lens ace was also part of the Senegal side that shocked world champions France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup.
Manchester United legend Scholes, 46, came up against the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Zinedine Zidane during his career.
In fact, over his 718 appearances for the Red Devils, Scholes faced virtually every great player of his generation.
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But he has revealed it was former Fulham man Bouba Diop – who was nicknamed The Wardrobe – along with Patrick Vieira and Robbie Savage that caused him the most problems.
The ex-England star told Savage Social: “When I played central midfield I like to go into games thinking ‘I just want to have all the time in the world here, just nobody around me, just find a little bit of space and pass the ball around’.
“Then you play against people like you (Robbie Savage).
“An absolute nuisance, trying to close you down dead quick. I don’t want that, I just want it nice and relaxed.
Portsmouth icon Papa Bouba Diop has tragically passes away at the age of 42
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“The way I played I didn’t really have to beat people or be stronger, quicker than the other person.
“I suppose Patrick Vieira, you play against him he is so long, he is so big.
“You think you’ve got the ball, and the next minute he nicks it over your head.
“He was a clever player as well. There’s one more that people won’t think of.
“We used to play against Portsmouth.
“Do you remember Papa Bouba Diop? Big, massive. They used to call him The Wardrobe!
“You get involved physically with him and you’re wasting your time.
“I always found him awkward to play against. He wasn’t a Vieira, of course he wasn’t, but he still had talent.”
The Red Devils legend did not enjoy playing against Patrick VieiraCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Robbie Savage caused Paul Scholes problems on the pitchCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
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MANCHESTER UNITED have had some of the finest players born in Britain.So here at Sun Sport, we set United End Editor Tom McDermott the task of choosing an all-British Red Devils XI from those players he has watched during his days as a supporter (and without any Irish stars… sorry Roy and Denis).

Les Sealey
Sealey is just ahead of Roy Carroll because of his personality, and performance in the 1990 FA Cup Final replay.
He only played 31 times for United, leaving a lasting impression not just on supporters, but on the defenders in front of him.
Check out his save for United against Nottingham Forest on YouTube, it’s one of the best.
Gary Neville
A regular for club and country for over a decade, Neville major was a leader and example to the other members of the squad, even in his early years as a senior player.
His game flourished through his twenties, and with experience, made improvements to his distribution in the final third of the pitch.
How many players over his career got the better of him?
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Steve Bruce
The United captain never won an England cap but was the heart and soul of the defence during the first Premier League success and the 1994 Double-winning side.
Bruce wasn’t the quickest but was mentally superior to his opponents and could read the game as well as anyone.
We shouldn’t forget his ability to score goals at the other end as well, and not just from the penalty spot.
Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister make it into the heart of defenceCredit: Bob Thomas Sports Photography – Getty
Gary Pallister
A club record £2.3m signing from Middlesbrough in 1989, Pallister had the poise and class required to be an outstanding defender and forged an unforgettable partnership with Bruce at the heart of the defence.
Pallister would have appeared more times for his country had it not been for injury, and a list of central defenders that included Tony Adams, Terry Butcher, Martin Keown and Mark Wright.
Phil Neville
Used in different positions by Sir Alex Ferguson, the younger Neville was more technically gifted than brother Gary.
Perhaps his versatility cost him in the end, because he was later sold to Everton.
But, when he did play, he never let the side down, and was capable of doing more than a job in either full-back position or in midfield.
David Beckham
They made a film about Beckham’s right foot, that’s how good he was.
Beckham could create a goal from any position in the opposition half, even if he was given only half a yard of space.
His free-kick collection will provide younger supporters with hours of fun online and his technique is still copied to this very day on pitches up and down the country.
David Beckham’s right foot was that good a movie was written about itCredit: Getty Images
Paul Scholes
The first name on the team sheet and one who played in several positions.
Give him the ball in front of the back four and he’ll dictate the tempo. Play him just off the front man and he’ll score you a goal.
Scholes was an orchestrator, creator, scorer, genius. It’s as simple as that.
The crime was that his talent was wasted by several England managers.
Bryan Robson
Captain Marvel sits next to Scholes and even though his best years were behind him when the first of Ferguson’s titles arrived, the rest of the squad knew exactly how important his experience was.
At his best, Robson was the finest midfielder in Europe – all action, but with the class to match.
It’s a shame that injury robbed him of his best years for club and country.
Ryan Giggs
United’s most decorated player terrorised teams for more than 20 years and his combination of skill and speed embarrassed the very best defenders across Europe.
What often fails to get a mention though, was his exceptional work-rate and desire to win.
Such attributes alongside his undoubted talent meant that he was only ever going to reach the very top.
How much would a prime Giggs cost in the current market?
Ryan Giggs is a no-brainer in this team
Wayne Rooney
United’s record goalscorer is an easy choice. A hat-trick on his debut after joining as a kid from Everton, he went from strength-to-strength.
And the interesting thing with Rooney, despite being top scorer, he has played both wide, No.10 and a midfield role.
Imagine how many he would have scored if he had played in the No.9 position all of his career?
Andrew Cole
Didn’t see eye-to-eye with strike partner Teddy Sheringham, but that didn’t stop them from performing on the pitch.
Cole’s ability to play on the shoulder of the last man meant he was a constant thorn in the side of most defences.
Far better technically than he was often given credit for, and a couple of bicycle kick goals and a lofted finish against Tottenham in 1999 stand out in my mind.
Wayne Rooney is a guaranteed starter up front for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
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BRUNO FERNANDES could not choose between Paul Scholes and Roy Keane – so included them both in his dream Manchester United midfield.The Portuguese midfielder, 27, backed himself to fit perfectly alongside the two Old Trafford veterans.
Bruno Fernandes has impressed since joining United in JanuaryCredit: PA:Press Association
Paul Scholes and Roy Keane achieved legendary status at UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Fernandes was asked who he preferred out of Keane and Scholes during a Q&A on the club website.
Keane scored 51 goals in 480 appearances for United, while Scholes racked up 155 goals in 718 games.
Both played huge roles in club’s success including the 1999 Treble-winning season.
Former Sporting CP star Fernandes could not pick between them – and decided to name them both in his dream midfield.
He said: “This is a difficult one, eh? I think the most difficult until now. So, I don’t know.
“If I can have both, better, because I need the guy behind me kicking everyone and recovering balls, like Roy Keane does, and have the quality to give the balls to the guys up front.
“If you look at Roy Keane, he’s the kind of player all teams. Teams play in different ways, but all the teams can have him.
“Doesn’t matter if you play in possession, in counter, you need a guy like this normally.
“I think Roy Keane is an excellent player and he can give me a lot of cover in the back.
“To play side to side with Scholes would be fantastic.
“If I can play with both, I play with Roy Keane in the back behind me and Scholes.
“Because me and Scholes can both go in the area scoring.
“We want to score, we want to be in the area, no? And maybe we will need Roy Keane at our backs.”
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Keane would approve as he is a huge admirer of Fernandes, who has scored three goals and made four assists in nine appearances for United.
The 50-year-old claimed the midfielder’s “arrogance” has contributed to his super start to life at Old Trafford.
And Scholes, 47, has tipped Fernandes to follow in the footsteps of club legend Eric Cantona.
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