Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has announced his retirement.
Scholes confirmed the worst kept secret in football this morning.
He said: "This was not a decision I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing."
It was hardly a surprise Scholes, who will join the coaching staff at Old Trafford from next season, should choose a low-key way to confirm his future intentions and the former England star even joked about it in his announcement.
"I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do," he said.
"To have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour.
"To have been part of the team that helped the club reach a record 19th title is a great privilege.
"I would like to thank the fans for their tremendous support throughout my career, I would also like to thank all the coaches and players that I have worked with over the years.
"But most of all I would like to thank Sir Alex (Ferguson) for being such a great manager.
"From the day I joined the club his door has always been open and I know this team will go on to win many more trophies under his leadership."
Scholes' role within the United coaching set-up has still to be outlined, although there could be an opening available with the reserves, where Warren Joyce has been acting alone since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
