Manchester United ace Paul Scholes admits being wrote off five years ago has spurred him on.

His success is all the more remarkable because towards the end of 2005 he was struck with a serious eye problem that threatened his career at the top.

Scholes missed half the season to rest the condition, which gave him blurred vision.

Now, nearly five years on, the former England star is making the doubters eat their words.

He said: "Some people wrote me off when I had my eye problem, but that never really bothered me and I'm still here.

"I was aware people had their doubts but I and the medical team at United didn't. We always knew I would return to fitness and it would just take a bit of time.

"We all like to prove people wrong and I am no different in that.

"Some of the players at United have taken a lot of stick in the past, not just me. But they always come back and show people they probably shouldn't have said what they did."