Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has lifted the lid on one of English football’s most surprising behind-the-scenes stories — revealing that some of his former England teammates used international duty as a stepping stone to land moves to Old Trafford.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast with Paddy McGuinness and Nicky Butt, Scholes didn’t hold back, sharing how players would pull him aside during England camps with one bold request: “Tell your gaffer I want to come and sign for you.”
The United icon laughed as he recalled the exchanges but admitted it happened far more often than people might imagine. “Someone always used to say it,” he said. “And I’d tell them, ‘F*** off, you’re here to play for England!’ They were obsessed.”
England Duty… or United Audition?
Scholes went on to suggest that players who weren’t already at clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, or United saw the national team as a kind of transfer showcase. “I always felt those not at big clubs used England as a way to get a move to a bigger club,” he explained.
It’s a fascinating insight into the mindset of England’s so-called Golden Generation — a squad packed with elite talent but often accused of lacking the unity and focus needed to win major tournaments.
And given Scholes’ reputation for keeping his opinions measured, his candour has reignited debates about how much club rivalries and ambition affected England’s chemistry in the early 2000s.
Scholes: The Reluctant Star Who Stayed Loyal
Across his glittering career at Old Trafford, Scholes became the embodiment of loyalty and consistency. With 716 appearances, 155 goals, and 82 assists, he helped United capture 11 Premier League titles, 10 domestic cups, and two Champions League trophies.
He may not have courted attention like some of his peers, but his influence was undeniable — both at club level and within the England setup. Earning 66 caps for his country, he lined up alongside icons like Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville, and Rio Ferdinand.
England March On Under Tuchel
While Scholes reflects on the past, the present England squad — now led by Thomas Tuchel — are preparing for a crucial run of fixtures. The Three Lions face Wales at Wembley on October 9 in the Alzheimer’s Society International, before heading to Riga to meet Latvia in their World Cup qualifiers.
England currently top Group K with five wins from five, sitting seven points clear of Albania. Two more victories would all but seal their ticket to the 2026 World Cup — but as Scholes’ revelations remind us, the behind-the-scenes stories in football are never quite as simple as they seem.
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