Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Scholes shunned Fab chance

07 Jun 2010 - 15:05:04

Click To Enlarge

Veteran Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has confirmed that he turned down an invitation to return to the England fold for the World Cup finals in South Africa.

The 35-year-old, who scored 14 times in 66 appearances before bowing out of the international scene in August 2004, was sounded out for a return to action, but opted against one final hurrah.

He told the Oldham Evening Chronicle: "It's a big decision and I wasn't really given enough time to think about it, so I decided not to take up the offer.

"If they'd asked me earlier I probably would have accepted.

"There are players in the squad who have spent nearly two years flying all around the world helping England qualify for the World Cup, whereas I haven't been involved for a long time.

"It wasn't a case of wanting to go on holiday, it was the fact that I got the call so close to the tournament and also I didn't want to take the place of someone who helped get England to South Africa.

"The idea just didn't sit comfortably with me."