Paul Scholes reveals three-word message Sir Alex Ferguson would say to him before every Man Utd game

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has revealed the three words Sir Alex Ferguson used to say to him before every game.

Scholes, 50, is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation and played for United 718 times before retiring in 2013.

The former England international only ever worked with one manager during his club career and even returned from retirement in 2012 after Ferguson, 83, convinced him to play for the club again.

Scholes had previously hung up his boots in 2011.

This decision proved to be the correct one as Ferguson and Scholes helped United to the 2012/13 Premier League title before the pair called time on their careers.

Over the years, Scholes has told several stories about how Ferguson masterminded the Red Devils to 38 trophies in his 26-year tenure at Old Trafford.

Scholes has huge respect for Ferguson, as does Scholes for Fergie.

"To my mind, Scholes will go down as one of the greatest players of all time for Manchester United,” Ferguson told BBC Sport after Scholes’ first retirement in 2011.

Even his fellow United legend Bobby Charlton explained how Scholes was his “favourite” player according to The Guardian.

Paul Scholes and Sir Alex Ferguson (Credit:Getty)

“I have no hesitation in putting a name to the embodiment of all that I think is best about football,” said Charlton. “It's Paul Scholes. Many great players have worn the shirt of Manchester United. Players I worshipped, then lost with my youth in Munich.

“Players like Denis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Alex Ferguson era. And in so many ways Scholes is my favourite.

“I love his nous and conviction that he will find a way to win, to make the killer pass or produce the decisive volley. When a game reaches a vital phase, these qualities seem to come out of his every pore.

“He's always on the ball, always turning on goal. He's always looking to bring other people into the action and if he loses possession, you think he must be ill."

But what made Scholes so special? Did Ferguson give him some genius tactical advice before he played games?

Well, he revealed exactly what Ferguson said to him before matches when speaking with Jamie Carragher on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.

When talking about the current philosophies of Premier League managers, Scholes revealed that Ferguson would always tell him "Watch your tackles” before he entered the field of play.