As was the case with Thierry Henry, Paul Scholes' untouchable status as a player may be somewhat compromised by his work in punditry.
There have scarcely ever been more lauded players in the history of the English game; adored by United fans who saw him score 102 goals in his 19-year Old Trafford career, the love for Scholes amongst fans of other clubs was real, too, largely due to his 'quiet man' persona which is slowly being grated away on BT Sport.
Famously, Scholes never had an agent, content instead to fight his own battles and play for the club he loved. When he came out of his shell it was rarely to the cameras - more often with a swift blow to the shins of a tricky opponent. It was part of his allure as a character and a player.
In truth, his status as a Manchester United legend is long-since cemented, and can't be altered. But after a two-decade career receiving almost universal plaudits from fans, fellow professionals, pundits and fake memes on social media, it's particularly odd - and somewhat unsettling - to see so many United fans turn against him in his new role.
For many, his suggestion that David De Gea should have saved Dimitri Payet's free-kick in United's 1-1 draw with West Ham was the final straw, and it sparked a number of angered tweets from the hellscape that is #MUFC Twitter.
In case you haven't seen it already, here's that free kick one more time.
While most of us were raving about Payet, Scholes instead chose to take a look at the Man United goalkeeper saying that 'deep down', De Gea will be disappointed with his movement that he wasn't able to get over quick enough to stop it. Not everyone agreed with him.
I miss the time when Paul Scholes wasn't a fucking litte cunt.
— John Marston (@JulyTeeM) March 13, 2016
I'm done with Paul scholes,criticising De Dea. He doesn't know what he is doing again.
— Hassan kamara (@HassanKamara_23) March 13, 2016
Oi Scholesy, SHUT THE FUCK UP https://t.co/Y57tEyLcbx
— Forever Red (@Jipjap74) March 13, 2016
I have tremendous respect to Paul Scholes but I think he's becoming too much of late! Well you know what PISS OFF
— Crooklyn’s Finest 🇩🇪 (@Mohaa_official) March 13, 2016
Paul Scholes is not a pundit he's just a moaner. Gives no insight whatsoever, just moans.
— 22/ (@_imran_mufc_) March 13, 2016
HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I haven't lost it. Can't say the same for Paul Scholes.
— ARYAN (@unitedaryan) March 13, 2016
I think he(Paul Scholes) should have scored his penalty against Arsenal https://t.co/1u8ckDNqRL
— King Sollomon👑 (@Still_Sollo) March 13, 2016
