Paul Scholes' team mates pay tribute to the reluctant hero

It was typical Paul Scholes. After scoring the goal which booked Manchester United's place in the Champions League Final, he slipped away from Old Trafford with the minimum of fuss.

There was no basking in the glory of his 25-yard wonder goal in front of the world's media, no post-match interviews to have his ego massaged and to take the opportunity to talk himself up.

Instead United's reluctant hero, clutching his washbag, kept his head down and climbed straight into his modest Audi before retreating to his home in the Saddleworth hills to relax with his family.

In an age when players are obsessed with the trappings of success and raising their profile, Scholes is a refreshing throwback to the past, an honest pro who prefers to let his football do the talking.

His enduring quality is such that former England bosses Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren both tried in vain to tempt him out of international retirement. And whenever United players from the past decade are asked to name the most talented team-mate with whom they have played, quiet man Scholes is the overwhelming choice.

That is why there was such delight among his colleagues that Scholes will finally get the chance to play in a Champions League Final - after missing the 1999 triumph through suspension.

He may be 33 and not the rampaging midfielder he once was, but Scholes remains a key element in the United set-up and a player who has the utmost respect of his teammates and peers.

Yet he is not immune to the jibes at Old Trafford for his dour demeanour. "Scholesy got excited in the dressing room - he smiled," joked United defender Mikael Silvestre.

"But seriously, you could see in his face what a big relief it was for him. He wasn't involved in 1999 and this time he's taken the team to Moscow.

"He thoroughly deserves it because he's a great professional and he's from Manchester, so that's even better." Earlier this season Sir Alex Ferguson, whose great strength has been putting sentiment to one side when making decisions, admitted his heart would rule his head if United made the European Cup Final.

Fergie said Scholes would be the first name on his team-sheet for Moscow after missing out nine years ago, a point the United boss repeated in the aftermath of Tuesday's semifinal triumph.

Typically, Scholes played down the show of loyalty, claiming he did not expect any treatment from his boss and should only be in the side if his football merited it. Scholes is no fool. Having started only 27 of United's 53 games this season, the veteran midfielder knows he can no longer be considered a first-choice under Fergie.

But as he demonstrated against Barcelona, where his class in possession seemed to allow him more time on the ball than any other player, his experience is a precious asset.

United midfielder Michael Carrick, who has blossomed playing alongside Scholes since joining from Spurs almost two years ago, paid his teammate the ultimate tribute.

"Scholesy is a superb player, one who perhaps hasn't been as appreciated as much as he should," said Carrick.

"He's a quiet character but a legend on the pitch and he's going to be remembered for a long time. Just to play alongside him and learn from him has been an absolute pleasure.

"He's a footballer's footballer. He's been playing at this level for so long that as long as he's part of us, we always feel we have a chance."

Fergie has made public his disbelief that Scholes has never won the PFA Player of the Year Award or the Football Writers' Award, when he is universally acclaimed as the finest midfielder of his generation.

Scholes himself is probably glad he has avoided such personal awards, for they would have required a trip to London and time spent in the uncomfortable glare of the media spotlight he dislikes so intensely.

But one accolade he would settle for is a Champions League winners' medal in Moscow on May 21. Just don't expect him to talk afterwards.

Scholesy is a superb player who hasn't been appreciated as much as he should have been. He's a quiet lad, but a legend on the pitch. Just to play alongside him is a pleasure.. he's a footballer's footballer -MICHAEL C ARRICK