Paul Scholes Names The Toughest Opponent He Faced In His Manchester United Career

Paul Scholes has revealed that former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira is the toughest opponent he came up against in his Manchester United career.

He saw many teams come and go during his time with United but their biggest rivals were arguably Arsene Wenger's Arsenal - captained by Vieira from 2002.

Scholes told the 'A Goal In One' podcast that it's the Frenchman who always gave him a good game.

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"As a player I played against, Vieira was brilliant.

"The way I played there was never an opponent I had to be fitter than, stronger than, more physical than. I was never that type of player, I was a passing player.

"I could beat players with passing but Vieira he was just so awkward, so tall, so long, so leggy. Just when you thought you had it he would nick it over your head.

"He was just so awkward to play against but what a really good player. He wasn't just a holding player, he got himself forward, he could score goals, he could make goals.

"He had great energy. 'Whenever people ask me who's the best I played against [Okay maybe] not the best [ability wise] but the most awkward I played against it was Vieira."

Scholes and Vieira also faced off against one another while representing England and France respectively.

Vieira's nine year stay in North London saw him win three league titles, two as captain which also included the 'Invincibles' season of 2003/04.

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Vieira has also praised Scholes heavily in recent years and claims he is one of his greatest ever opponents.

The 43-year-old was also known for his legendary rivalry with Manchester United captain and Scholes' midfield partner Roy Keane.

Vieira and Keane is one of English football's best ever rivalries and both men were desperate to be the best.

Every time they clashed, words and tackles were exchanged as if the pair were in a never ending war.

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Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly keen on bringing Vieira to United when word spread he was leaving Arsenal in 2005.

He opted to move to Juventus, but choosing to link-up with Scholes and Keane would have created one of the world's greatest midfield trios.

Topics: Paul Scholes, Football News, Patrick Vieira, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Arsenal

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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