Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
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• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

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Scholes happy with decision

21 Nov 2006 - 08:04:14

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Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has admitted that he was tempted to come out of international retirement when England coach Steve McClaren was named as Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor in the summer.

Scholes retired from international football after Euro 2004 but has twice been asked by McClaren to come back into the England fold.

The 32-year-old said: "It wasn't a straightforward decision. Of course it's flattering when the England manager comes and asks you to go back.

"I did think about it for a while but, in the end, I decided against it. I've been happy the last two years not playing for England and basically I decided I didn't need to go back."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Scholes has made the right decision, saying: "International football these days is not two or three matches. There are probably six or seven games, with the World Cup and European Championships on top, and you can be away for eight or nine days at a time with double headers in qualifying games.

"That's a lot of football and something you have to consider seriously, particularly if you value family life, and I think that was partly behind Paul's decision."