Paul Scholes: Man Utd hero answers 18 questions including Haaland vs Mbappe

Paul Scholes has answered 18 quick-fire questions from his former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville for the latest edition of The Overlap.

Scholes, widely regarded as one of the most gifted English footballers in history, famously said very little during his illustrious playing career.

Since hanging up his boots in 2013, though, football fans in the UK and abroad are used to hearing Scholes voice his opinions in his role as a pundit.

Scholes and Neville took a walk around a park in Oldham and the ex-Man Utd star was in top form as he answered various questions.

Scholes answers Gary Neville's quick-fire questions

Here are some of the highlights from their chat:

Favourite band?

“I’m not into music. I’m not arsed. I’m not a music man at all.”

Funniest teammate

“Nicky Butt. Funny, isn’t he? Just look at him and he’ll make you laugh. He did some stupid stuff. Was you in the Old Trafford dressing room when we were playing for the reserves?

“He writes ‘Butt, Butt, Butt’ in a 4-4-2 formation on the whiteboard in permanent marker. He couldn’t get it off!”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: l-r Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville of Manchester United watch over the players during warm up during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Norwich City at Old Trafford on April 26, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

What do you look for in a football player?

“Intelligence. Clever players with a brain. Christian Eriksen is a perfect example of a player who plays with his brain.”

Best away stadium you’ve played in?

“I used to love playing at Newcastle and Liverpool. Atmosphere wise and as big as the games were.”

Best goal you’ve ever scored?

“Villa away. I think it was harder than Bradford. Barcelona was a miss-kick. It came off the outside of my foot. But that was my most important goal.”

Paul Scholes celebrates a goal for Manchester United — MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 29: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona at Old Trafford on April 29, 2008 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 29: Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, second leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona at Old Trafford on April 29, 2008 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

There was then a funny outtake when Scholes said to Neville: “You ask me a question and I thought ‘right, it’s quick-fire answers’ and then you keep staring at me. They’re quick-fire, crack on!”

Which current young player will be the best in the world?

“I’d go [Kylian] Mbappe over [Erling] Haaland. I think there’s more to his game. He’s not just an out-and-out centre-forward, is he? He can go wide, he can dribble past people, he’s quick, he can play one-twos. Haaland f***ing amazing, don’t get me wrong but he’s a goalscorer isn’t he?

DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Kilian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain shakes hands with Erling Haaland of Dortmund prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on February 18, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“I loved playing with Ruud [van Nistelrooy] because I knew what he wanted without speaking to him.”

Scholes then went on to explain how he wished he was more professional during his younger years, and says the club were even concerned about how much he was drinking at one point.

Scariest moment with Sir Alex Ferguson?

“He left me out on the Sunday [against Liverpool] and I was really p****d off he didn’t pick me in that game. We were getting beat, not playing well, and I thought ‘he’s going to bring me on’.

“He didn’t. My head went. I thought he was doing it on purpose.

“I went home and was still fuming. We were meeting at Stockport train station that night. I drove to the train station and told him I weren’t going. I pulled him next to the gaffer in the car park.

“He fined me two-weeks wages. I didn’t think I’d survive after that. I thought I’d be gone.”

10 Aug 2001: Alex Ferguson of Man Utd talks to Paul Scholes at training during the Manchester United Open day at Old Trafford, Manchester. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/ALLSPORT

You’re stuck on an island and can have three people with you?

“Ah, I hate all this s***. S*** this, isn’t it?

“I’ve got three kids, haven’t I. So my three kids.

“See, I told you it was a s*** question. S*** question, s*** answer.”

How would you like to be remembered?

“Don’t care. People will remember you how they want to remember you. As a good footballer, I suppose, that’s it. Don’t care about anything else.”

Last-minute penalty - who’s taking that for you life?

“Ruud van Nistelrooy. All day long.”

BEIJING, CHINA - JULY 26: Ruud van Nistelrooy (L) and Paul Scholes of Manchester United cheer after Scholes' goal during an exhibition match against Beijing Hyundai FC at the Workers' Stadium.on July 26, 2005 in Beijing, China. Manchester United won the match by 3-0. (Photo by Guang Niu/Getty Images)