Man U midfielder Scholes quits international football

Manchester United’s England midfielder Paul Scholes has quit international football. Scholes, 29, who has spent his entire career at United, has 66 England caps, scoring 14 goals.

“This is a decision I have not taken lightly, I have been considering retiring from international football for a while now,” Scholes told United’s official website in a shock announcement. “I started my England career in 1997 and have enjoyed seven years of great football, playing in the best competitions, with some of the best players, under the best managers.”

The Euro 2004 quarterfinals, where England were beaten by Portugal on penalties, proved to be Scholes’ last match: “Euro 2004 was fantastic but afterwards I felt the time was right for myself and my family to make it my last England appearance,” he said. (Reuters)