Paul Scholes took to his weekly Independent column to give his low-down on another Premier League season. The former Red picked his best three goals of the season, his own team of the year, and also chose who he believed to be the biggest flop of 2014/15.
A more than occasional renegade to the dreaded 'narrative,' the United legend went full Paul Scholes for his goal of the season decision in particular, choosing a strike that seemed to slip far less sophisticated adjudicative processes than his own amongst the highlight reels and end-of-season 'phwoar' sessions. He always had a decent radar, this guy.
Paul Scholes' Goal of the season
André Schürrle, v Burnley, 18 August
A great teamwork goal that showed early on what Chelsea were capable of. I loved the way that they opened up Burnley.
I wonder whose contribution he enjoyed the most there? Scholes also picked Juan Mata's second goal at Anfield and Charlie Adam's 60-yarder at Stamford Bridge as his second and third best goals respectively.
Scholes' Team Of The Season
GK David De Gea (Manchester United)
RB Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
CB Jose Fonte (Southampton)
CB John Terry (Chelsea)
LB Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
RM David Silva (Manchester City)
CM Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)
CM Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
LM Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
ST Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
ST Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Kane was also chosen as the former United man's breakthrough player of the season:
It has to be Kane for forcing his way into the Tottenham team, staying there and scoring so many goals along the way. There was a goal against West Bromwich Albion, his first of two, on 31 January, which reminded me of Ruud van Nistelrooy at his best.
I am sure that he knows next season will be difficult for him but there is no reason he cannot make progress again.
When it came to manager of the season, Scholes opted for Saints boss Ronald Koeman over Jose Mourinho, but his "double award" for the season's biggest disappointments saw him criticise a man who failed to live up to expectations in one of Scholes' old positions at Old Trafford. Of Argentine Angel Di María, Scholes said,
A good start but, for £59.7m, the hope was that he would give United much more. I accept he has had problems off the pitch settling into life in Manchester, but there is no way he can see the season as anything other than a disappointment.
Nevertheless, the quality is there and I don’t think United can afford to lose him. They need that kind of player if they are to compete at the highest level in the Champions League.
He was less forgiving of Mario Balotelli's return to the Premier League:
He has had a few injury problems, but most of all it has been the sulking that has been the major issue.
He just has not fitted the way that Brendan Rodgers has wanted to play at Liverpool. Rodgers wants hard-working, quick strikers. Balotelli may be quick but there is no way he is hard working.
The former Old Trafford favourite also singled out Juventus Stadium as the best atmosphere he had experienced all season, while analysing the Bianconeri's Champions League clash with Real Madrid on ITV.
For a full run-down of the 'Scholeseys,' check out Paul Scholes' column itself in the Independent.
