Paul Scholes Unable to Determine If He Was Better Than Steven Gerrard
In a recent interview on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, Paul Scholes was asked to compare himself to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. The former Manchester United midfielder, who enjoyed a successful career spanning twenty years and over 700 appearances, acknowledged that the answer is subjective and dependent on the dynamics of their respective teams at the time.
Football enthusiasts have long debated the contrasting achievements of Scholes at United and Gerrard at Liverpool. Scholes emphasized that the playing styles and team structures played a crucial role in distinguishing the two players. Scholes praised Gerrard as a great player and acknowledged his athleticism and ability to single-handedly win games. However, Scholes attributed this to Gerrard’s role in a team that relied heavily on his individual brilliance. Scholes, on the other hand, viewed himself as more of a team player.
When pressed on how they would have fared if the circumstances were different, Scholes admitted that it was difficult to say. He acknowledged that he would not have been able to replicate Gerrard’s success at Liverpool, stating, “I couldn’t have done what he did at Liverpool.” However, he believed that he could have achieved comparable success at United.
The debate surrounding Scholes and Gerrard’s respective legacies continues to be fiercely contested, despite a decade passing since their playing days. In a recent ranking by Ben Foster, Scholes was placed as the best midfielder of the Premier League era, with Gerrard ranked fourth behind Kevin De Bruyne and Frank Lampard. However, Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammate Jamie Carragher defended him, highlighting the interest shown by respected managers like Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.
Scholes retired from playing in 2013 and later became co-owner of Salford City alongside several former United teammates. Gerrard, on the other hand, played over 700 games for Liverpool before joining LA Galaxy and finally retiring in 2016. He currently manages Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.
Despite the ongoing debate, both Scholes and Gerrard have left an indelible mark on the footballing world and are acknowledged as two of the greatest midfielders of their generation.
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