Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has stated that his retirement from the England national team was not because he disliked playing on the left side of midfield.
Scholes announced his retirement from England at the age of 29 but continued to play for Man Utd until he was 38. With Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard already established in England’s midfield, Scholes was often deployed on the left side of midfield for the Three Lions – a factor that was widely believed to be the reason for his early international retirement.
However, Scholes clarified the matter in a recent interview: “That’s not true. Many people think that, but I played left midfield many times for Man Utd when Ryan Giggs was injured. I didn’t mind the position at all, especially when playing for Man Utd – I scored a lot of goals there. But it was different with England; we played a different style of football. I just didn’t enjoy playing for England anymore.”
Scholes added: “Do I regret retiring from England too early? A little bit. I just wish my England career could have been better – that’s my only regret. Yes, I do regret it a bit. But back then, I didn’t enjoy it. I had three young children, and I didn’t like traveling away with England. That’s different from playing for Man Utd.”
