Manchester United fans were left gobsmacked before their Premier League clash against local rivals Manchester City back in January 2012 when it was dramatically announced that Paul Scholes had come out of retirement.Not only had the midfield maestro come out of retirement, but he was named among the substitutes for the match at the Etihad Stadium.Scholes came on for the final 31 minutes of the match as United secured an impressive 3-2 away win.Even the players were unaware about Scholes’s return."It was a bit of a shock about Scholes - we didn't even know until we were in the dressing-room,” Wayne Rooney told ITV Sport per BBC Sport at the time. “But it's great to have such a quality player coming back.”Scholes hadn’t played - or trained - professionally since the end of the 2010-11 campaign, but he had kept himself fit.One thing he did lack, however, was a pair of professional boots fit for a Premier League encounter.

The story behind Scholes' boots in 2012 Manchester derby

But there’s a fantastic story - revealed in the Mirror back in 2012 - about the boots he wore during that Manchester derby.

Steve Anglesey wrote at the time: “How much of a surprise was Paul Scholes’ return for Manchester United in last Sunday’s controversial derby?

“The Ginger Ninja only made his mind up to come out of retirement on the previous Thursday, then realised he’d given away his old boots and that the scruffy ones he’d been using while working with United’s kids wouldn’t be fit for purpose.

“Did he immediately phone Nike or adidas to sort out a few free pairs and a lucrative sponsorship deal?

“No – he headed to JJB Sports and bought a pair of ‘match fit’ boots. For £40.”

Brilliant.

Passing accuracy: 97%!

And according to various memes doing the rounds today - take them at face value - Scholes’ passing accuracy during his half-hour cameo was a magnificent 97 per cent.

What a legend.