/The Brilliant Story Behind The £40 Boots Paul Scholes Bought For His Manchester United Return

The Brilliant Story Behind The £40 Boots Paul Scholes Bought For His Manchester United Return

In a shock turn of events, Paul Scholes decided to come out of retirement in 2012 to face Manchester City and had to buy his boots from a local shop before kick-off.

In January 2012 the midfield maestro decided that on a cloudy Thursday in Manchester, he would return against their local rivals.

Scholes was named as a substitute for the Manchester derby, a game that proved vital as Fergie’s side went through to the FA Cup fourth round, but prior to the game, there was a problem.

He had no boots to lace up.

On the Thursday, Scholes realised that the boots he had been wearing whilst coaching Manchester United’s reserve team were too scruffy, so he acted accordingly.

The midfielder decided against calling Nike or Adidas for a pair of boots, but instead drove to JJB Sports and bought himself a £40 pair of ‘match fit’ boots. Did you expect anything less?

Image: PA
Image: PA

“I think I trained once with the first team before I came back in January 2012,” Scholes said on BT Sport.

“I had to sort some boots out so I went down to the local shop and bought a pair of cheap boots for £50 because I hadn’t got a sponsor. We couldn’t let Nike know because it’d be obvious I was coming back.”

“He (Ferguson) didn’t tell the players because I think he just wanted to keep it quiet. Playing City away and he said just come to the hotel, The Lowry, on the Saturday night before the game on the Sunday and just sit on the staff table, maybe have half a glass of wine and just don’t say a word.”

“Then I get to the ground the next day and I know what’s going on so I’m a bit nervous about what the lads are going to think and then we get in the dressing room and my shirt is up and I’ve been named as substitute. Scholes added.

Listen to the below the get the full story. This is absolutely brilliant:

Scholes came on for the final 31 minutes at the Etihad, spraying passes left, right and centre. It was business as usual for the legendary midfielder.

He might have retired the previous season, but the-then 37-year-old slotted into the United side perfectly. It was later revealed that even teammates didn’t know about Scholes return.

Wayne Rooney said that the decision was a ‘closely-guarded secret inside the club’, saying: “It was a bit of a shock about Scholes – we didn’t even know until we were in the dressing-room. But it’s great to have such a quality player coming back,” he told ITV Sport via BBC Sport.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Never change, Paul.

Hits: 89