But in between came the infamous tie against Sweden where he began with a nasty tackle on Hakan Mild and then was dismissed for fouling Stefan Schwarz.Scholes has never been a great tackler. Close behind would be his two goals against Scotland in the first leg of the subsequent play-off qualifier which were crucial in settling the tie in England’s favour. By the following summer’s World Cup he was a fixture and only injury has kept him out of England’s first-choice team since.His finest performance was in Kevin Keegan’s first match, against Poland in March 1999, when he scored the hat-trick which reinvigorated England’s faltering Euro 2000 qualifying campaign. After playing for United’s legendary 1992 youth team Scholes made his Premiership debut in 1994, shortly before his 20th birthday.Two seasons later, in May 1997, he won his first England cap, replacing Teddy Sheringham in an Old Trafford friendly against South Africa. Certainly he’s the most consistent and naturally gifted player we’ve had for a long, long time He will leave a void that’s difficult to fill. It’s a big loss for England and a big gain for Manchester United.”Indeed, the news will delight Sir Alex Ferguson who first set eyes on Scholes after he was spotted playing for Boundary Park juniors, a formidable youth team which also featured Gary Neville and Nicky Butt.

Yesterday he said: “I am very sorry that Paul has decided to retire from international football He is a great player who has given so much to England. He has a very special talent and it has been a privilege working so closely with him. I would like to wish Paul every success in the future with Manchester United. He deserves it.”Eriksson confirmed that he had been discussing the issue with Scholes since Portugal and added: “While he remained a key part of my plans for the England team, I fully respect his decision.”The former United player George Best added: “I think England have lost their best player. He has only been absent through injury or through being rested.For most of that time Scholes, though remaining a prolific scorer at club level, failed to find the net for England Eriksson, though, never doubted him.

When he heard of Scholes’ decision, however, he will have had genuine cause for both sadness and concern.Scholes has been one of Eriksson’s automatic selections in his three-and-a-half years as England manager, one of his “jewels”. The United player was named in the starting line-up for all but six of the 41 matches under Eriksson’s command and for 21 of the 23 competitive fixtures. I have been considering retiring from international football for a while. I have enjoyed seven years of great football, playing in the best competitions, with some of the best players, under the best managers.”Euro 2004 was fantastic but afterwards I felt the time was right for myself and my family to make it my last England appearance.”The news is a further blow for Sven Goran Eriksson. To judge from his demeanour the England manager has been largely unperturbed by the maelstrom which has engulfed the Football Association this past fortnight, breaking his silence only to issue that defiant, carefully-worded statement.