Paul Scholes is widely considered one of the finest midfielders English football has ever produced. For two decades at Manchester United, he shaped games with a passing range and technical ability that earned admiration from peers like Zinedine Zidane and Xavi. Beyond the pitch, his life as a husband, father, pundit, and co-owner of Salford City adds layers to a career that remains a benchmark for midfield excellence.
Born in Salford on 16 November 1974, Scholes came through the youth system at Manchester United and became a central figure in the club’s most successful era. He made 718 appearances for the club, scored 153 goals, and collected 25 major trophies. After retiring as a player, he moved into punditry and brief management roles while continuing to influence the game as a co-owner of Salford City.
Who Is Paul Scholes? (Biography & Career Overview)
| Full Name | Paul Aaron Scholes |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 November 1974 (Salford, Greater Manchester, England) |
| Position | Central Midfielder |
| Major Trophies | 11 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 3 FA Cups, 1 FIFA Club World Cup |
Key Insights About Paul Scholes
- Scholes is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, known for his vision, passing, and long-range shooting.
- Despite a relatively short stature, he dominated midfield through intelligence and technical superiority.
- He spent his entire professional career at Manchester United (1993–2013), briefly returning as a player-coach in 2012.
- After retiring, he became a football pundit for BT Sport and briefly managed Oldham Athletic and Salford City.
- His net worth is estimated between £20 million and £25 million, accumulated from playing contracts, book sales, and media work.
- Scholes married Claire Froggatt in 1999; they have three children, including a daughter named Alicia.
- He wore jersey number 18 for most of his Manchester United career and is universally known by the nickname Scholesy.
Snapshot Facts
| Category | Fact |
|---|---|
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m / 1.68 m depending on the source) |
| Weight | 72 kg (159 lb) |
| Jersey Numbers | 18 (mainly), 22 (early career), 42 (youth) |
| Nickname | Scholesy (also The Ginger Prince) |
| Spouse | Claire Froggatt (married February 1999) |
| Children | 3 (daughter Alicia Scholes, born 9 May 2001; two other children not widely publicized) |
| Professional Debut | 23 January 1993 (signed professional); 21 September 1994 (full first-team debut vs Port Vale) |
| Last Match | May 2013 vs West Bromwich Albion |
| England Caps | 66 caps (14 goals) between 1997 and 2004 |
| Career Goals (Manchester United) | 153 goals (all competitions) plus 81 assists |
| Managerial Roles | Oldham Athletic (2019), Salford City interim (2020) |
| Punditry | The Premier League Show, BT Sport, and other broadcast outlets |
Scholes joined Manchester United as a youth player and emerged as part of the famous Class of ’92, alongside David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Nicky Butt. He scored on his full England debut against Italy in 1997 and later netted a hat-trick against Poland. Across all competitions for Manchester United, he recorded 153 goals and 81 assists in 713 games, according to Transfermarkt. In the Premier League specifically, he made 499 appearances with 107 goals and 60 assists, per the Premier League official profile. He also scored 24 goals in 124 UEFA Champions League matches.
What Is Paul Scholes’ Net Worth?
Exact figures for Paul Scholes’ net worth are not publicly disclosed, but estimates from multiple sources place the figure between £20 million and £25 million (approximately $25 million to $32 million). These estimates are based on his long playing career at Manchester United, post-retirement media work, book sales, and co-ownership of Salford City.
Scholes’ wealth derives primarily from his playing contracts during 20 years at Manchester United, a club pension, earnings from his autobiography My Story, and ongoing punditry fees. He also holds a stake in Salford City as a co-owner, though the financial return from that investment is not publicly known.
How Did Paul Scholes Accumulate His Wealth?
As a top-tier Premier League player for two decades, Scholes earned substantial salaries, particularly during the peak of his career in the 2000s. Endorsement deals supplemented his income, though he was never among the most commercially marketed players at Manchester United. After retiring, he signed punditry contracts with BT Sport and other broadcasters, and his autobiography My Story, published by Goodreads, added to his earnings.
Who Is Paul Scholes’ Wife and Children?
Paul Scholes has been married to Claire Froggatt since February 1999. The couple has three children, though only one daughter is named in public records. The family maintains a relatively private life away from the media spotlight.
Paul Scholes’ Wife: Claire Froggatt
Claire Froggatt married Scholes in February 1999, as noted on his IMDb biography. Little is publicly known about her professional background or personal life, as the couple has kept their family affairs largely out of the public eye. She is occasionally mentioned in interviews and has appeared alongside Scholes at club events.
Paul Scholes’ Children
The couple has three children. A daughter named Alicia Scholes was born on 9 May 2001, according to IMDb. The names of the other two children have not been widely publicized, and Scholes has generally avoided sharing personal family details in interviews or on social media.
Unconfirmed rumors about a family tragedy involving one of Scholes’ children have circulated online. No reliable or verified source has reported such an event, and the information should be treated as unsubstantiated. Respect for the family’s privacy is advised.
How Tall Is Paul Scholes and What Position Did He Play?
Paul Scholes’ Height
Paul Scholes stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall. Sources vary slightly: IMDb lists his height as 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in), while Transfermarkt records 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in). His relatively modest stature made his dominance in midfield all the more remarkable, as he relied on positioning, timing, and technical ability rather than physical size.
What Position Did Paul Scholes Play?
Scholes played primarily as a central midfielder. Over his career, he also operated as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, left midfielder, and even as a second striker when required. His versatility allowed managers to deploy him in multiple roles, but his greatest impact came as a deep-lying playmaker who controlled the tempo of matches.
Scholes was known for exceptional passing accuracy, the ability to switch play with long diagonal balls, and a powerful long-range shot. He scored many of his 153 goals from outside the penalty area. His tactical intelligence meant he rarely needed to rely on speed or physical strength to influence games.
What Are Paul Scholes’ Nickname and Jersey Number?
Paul Scholes is universally known by the nickname Scholesy, used by teammates, fans, and commentators throughout his career. He is also sometimes called The Ginger Prince, a reference to his red hair and his status as one of Manchester United’s most revered players. According to his IMDb biography, Scholes prefers the simpler Scholesy.
For most of his Manchester United career, Scholes wore the No. 18 jersey. Early in his career he also wore No. 22, and during his youth years he was assigned No. 42. The number 18 became synonymous with his identity at the club, and no player has worn it with the same distinction since his retirement.
What Is Paul Scholes Doing Now? (Punditry & Current Life)
Since retiring permanently in 2013, Paul Scholes has worked mainly as a football pundit. He is a regular analyst on The Premier League Show and other broadcast outlets, where his deep understanding of midfield play and tactical nuance has made him a respected voice. He also appears on BT Sport’s Champions League coverage.
Scholes has also ventured into football management, though briefly. He was appointed manager of Oldham Athletic in February 2019 but left the role after just 31 days. In 2020, he served as interim manager of Salford City, a club he co-owns alongside other former Manchester United players including Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, and David Beckham.
His co-ownership of Salford City remains an active commitment. The club has risen through the English football leagues since the former United players took control, and Scholes is regularly involved in strategic decisions. His BT Sport punditry bio confirms his ongoing media role.
When Did the Key Moments in Paul Scholes’ Career Happen?
- 1974 – Born in Salford, Greater Manchester, England.
- 1991 – Joined Manchester United youth academy as a trainee.
- 1993 – Signed professional contract on 23 January.
- 1994 – Full first-team debut on 21 September against Port Vale in the League Cup.
- 1999 – Part of Manchester United’s treble-winning season (Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League).
- 2004 – Scored a hat-trick against Panathinaikos in the UEFA Champions League.
- 2008 – Won Premier League and UEFA Champions League double.
- 2011 – Announced retirement in May; appointed as a coach at Manchester United.
- 2012 – Returned to playing in January as a player-coach for one final season.
- 2013 – Retired permanently in May after his final match against West Bromwich Albion.
- 2014 – Began regular punditry work on BT Sport.
- 2019 – Appointed manager of Oldham Athletic (left after 31 days).
- 2020 – Served as interim manager of Salford City.
- 2025 – Continues as a pundit and co-owner of Salford City.
How Certain Are the Details About Paul Scholes’ Personal Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Paul Scholes was born on 16 November 1974 in Salford, England. Widely confirmed. | Net worth estimates range from £20 million to £30 million. No official public financial records exist. |
| He married Claire Froggatt in February 1999. Confirmed by multiple sources. | Exact net worth figure is uncertain; all published figures are secondary estimates. |
| The couple has three children. One daughter, Alicia Scholes (born 9 May 2001), is named in records. | The names of the other two children are not widely publicized. Spelling variations for a son’s name exist. |
| His height is approximately 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m). Multiple sources agree with minor variation. | Unconfirmed rumors about a family tragedy involving a daughter have no verified basis and should be disregarded. |
How Does Paul Scholes Compare to Other Midfielders?
Paul Scholes’ career is frequently analyzed in comparison to contemporaries such as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Zinedine Zidane. Many football analysts and former players have called him the most complete midfielder of his generation. His passing accuracy, ability to control the tempo of a match, and goalscoring from deep positions were hallmarks of his style.
Despite his individual brilliance, Scholes never won the Ballon d’Or, a point of debate among football observers who consider his influence on the game comparable to that of award winners. The Premier League Hall of Fame inducted him in 2022, formally recognising his impact on English football. For a deeper look at the era’s finest, explore our feature on Premier League midfield greats.
He is also the only player besides Ryan Giggs to have scored 100 Premier League goals and made 500 appearances for Manchester United. Scholes achieved his 100th Premier League goal in a 1–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2010, becoming the 19th player in league history to reach that milestone.
What Do Other Football Figures Say About Paul Scholes?
“Paul Scholes is the best midfield player I have ever seen in my life.”
— Sir Alex Ferguson, 2013 (as reported by BBC Sport)
“Technically Scholes was the most gifted player in the Premier League.”
— Zinedine Zidane, 2013 (interviews)
“He is an unbelievable player. He’s the one who makes Man United tick.”
— Xavi, 2012 (quoted in The Guardian)
What Is Paul Scholes’ Lasting Legacy?
Paul Scholes leaves a legacy as one of the defining midfielders of the Premier League era. His 25 major trophies, 153 goals for Manchester United, and enduring reputation among peers place him in the highest tier of English footballers. Beyond playing, his transition to punditry and co-ownership of Salford City shows a continued commitment to the sport that shaped his life. To learn more about the players who defined Manchester United’s golden era, read about Manchester United legends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Scholes
Did Paul Scholes ever play for any club other than Manchester United?
No. His entire senior playing career was at Manchester United from 1993 to 2013. He did not play for any other club during his professional career.
Is Paul Scholes on Instagram?
Yes, his verified Instagram handle is @paulscholesaaa, where he has over 1 million followers. He posts occasionally about football and personal moments.
What is Paul Scholes’ daughter’s name?
He has a daughter named Alicia Scholes, born on 9 May 2001. He also has two other children whose names are not widely publicized.
How many goals did Paul Scholes score for Manchester United?
He scored 153 goals in all competitions for Manchester United, along with 81 assists, according to Transfermarkt data.
What trophies did Paul Scholes win?
Scholes won 25 major trophies including 11 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 2 UEFA Champions League titles, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
What clubs did Paul Scholes play for?
He played only for Manchester United as a senior professional. He also represented England at international level, earning 66 caps between 1997 and 2004.
What is Paul Scholes’ current job?
He works as a football pundit for BT Sport and The Premier League Show, and is a co-owner of Salford City.
How many England caps did Paul Scholes earn?
He earned 66 caps for England and scored 14 goals between his debut in 1997 and his international retirement in 2004.
Sophie Chen is News & Politics Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering UK and world news, politics, policy and current affairs.