Nine years ago, when Manchester United won the Champions League final at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Paul Scholes was a face in the crowd.
Manchester's most recognized ginger head, he was suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards for his ill-timed tackles. The other side of Scholes, his exquisitely weighted passes and his eye for a spectacular goal, has now carried United to this season's final.
We are never likely to know what Scholes thinks or feels when he produces such moments. After he scored the only goal of the semifinal against Barcelona, he left by the back door, going home to his wife and three young children.
His goal Tuesday came after 14 minutes. Gianluca Zambrotta, an Italian World Cup winner, failed to look before hitting a clearance straight to Scholes. He responded with an act that every child and many seasoned pros should study.
Scholes's balance was balletic. He was on the toes of his left foot, his head was over the ball, eyes facing the target 25 meters away. The shot with his right foot sent the ball arching away from goalkeeper Victor Valdés, into the furthermost top corner of the net.
Inept defending, exquisite finishing, a picture book goal that sent United to the final and Barcelona to an uncertain future.
Barcelona could not match such brilliance. "The blame lies with the players, the coaches and the technical staff," said a club statement Thursday reviewing the season and the coach. "Frank Rijkaard now has to find a way of finishing the season in a dignified fashion and making people remember his successes."
Scholes hastened that by obeying an instinct was evident 20 years ago, when United signed him as a 14- year-old. They say that when he strikes a ball in training the sound is sweeter than the rest, a ping of perfection.
It is a gift that, all being well, affords him a long overdue final on May 21.
Author: Rob Hughes
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