Man Utd’s Fletcher: European players in awe of Scholes

Darren Fletcher says the modest ways of Manchester United teammate Paul Scholes have worked against him when individual awards are being handed out.

The Scotland midfielder reveals how some of Europe's greats are in awe of the United veteran.

He told United We Stand: "How Scholesy has never been nominated for European or World Player of the Year is beyond me.

"Scholesy is still a frightening player now, but when he was scoring 20-odd goals a year from midfield he was among the very best. He probably didn’t get those awards because he disappeared straight after training and didn’t do any interviews.

"Look at the foreign players after the European games – they all want to swap shirts with Giggs and Scholes.

"It was funny watching (Ivan) de la Pena before the Espanyol game at Old Trafford. He was in awe of Scholesy and looking up to him as if he was a god.

"He arranged for shirts to be swapped before the game. Scholesy seemed a bit embarrassed. Good players know great players and they respect them. I have to train with Scholesy every day so I know how good he is. I can’t get near him."