Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has rubbished his reputation for being a poor tackler, insisting he was "just getting people back" after being fouled himself.
The former England international became known for a perceived technical weakness in tackles, particularly towards the end of his distinguished career.
But the midfielder, who retired this summer, told BBC Radio Five Live: "Of course I can tackle. There's plenty of evidence of being able to tackle. I was just getting people back. If someone got me early in the game it was always in the back of my mind that I needed to get them back."
He added: "I didn't always do it on purpose, some of it was just bad timing, I suppose.
"But I think throughout my career the record wasn't that bad, there were not that many yellow cards.
"Well, I suppose a few yellow cards, but not many sendings-off.
"But I think towards the end every time I made one tackle I got booked, because of my reputation I suppose."
Source: PA
