Manchester United hero Clayton Blackmore has heaped praise on Paul Scholes.
Scholes announced his retirement this morning.
Blackmore told Sky Sports News : "I was slightly surprised - he's a very quiet lad and he's gone out very quietly.
"We all knew Edwin (van der Sar) was going to finish, but I thought we might get another season out of Scholes. He played a big part this season in us winning the league and getting to the Champions League final."
Scholes was a key figure in the fabled 'Class of 92' which emerged from the Old Trafford youth system, alongside the likes of David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.
Blackmore continued: "I played with him as a young lad and I thought he was the best of that bunch that came through - his awareness, his vision, he gets into the box and scores goals.
"You talk about Ryan Giggs, who's been fantastic at the club, and Scholes is in the same bracket - he's played nearly as many games and scored as many goals."
