"So someone had best remind Scholes not just that he once won the league with just 79 points—fewer than Arsenal have managed in two of the last three seasons—but that the Manchester United team he played for wasn't exactly renowned for free-flowing, beautiful football. And do you know what? That's absolutely fine."
"Scholes was a part of the Red Devils side that somehow finished with 11 men after attempting to kick Arsenal off the park in 2004 to end the 49-game unbeaten run. From Ruud van Nistelrooy raking his studs down Ashley Cole, to Gary Neville pinpointing Jose Reyes, United were unafraid of the fight."
"Sir Alex Ferguson was about blood and thunder and 30 million statement signings and mind games and winning at all costs. And to repeat. That's absolutely fine. Two decades later, we're all learning that sometimes winning matters more than the method."
Paul Scholes argues that if Arsenal finish first in the 2025/26 Premier League season, they should not receive the trophy due to perceived low-quality football and reliance on set-pieces. However, this criticism overlooks that Scholes himself won leagues with Manchester United using only 79 points, fewer than Arsenal's recent totals. United's approach under Sir Alex Ferguson prioritized winning through physical intensity and tactical pragmatism rather than beautiful football. Arsenal under Arsene Wenger represented the opposing philosophy, emphasizing technical excellence and possession-based play. Both approaches proved successful, demonstrating that championship-winning teams employ varied methods beyond aesthetic considerations.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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