Paul Scholes Reveals His Honest Opinion on the Gerrard vs. Scholes Debate
Paul Scholes offered a remarkably candid assessment when questioned about who was the superior midfielder between himself and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Scholes, who enjoyed an illustrious career at Manchester United, amassed an impressive collection of 11 Premier League titles during his time at Old Trafford. His technical ability, vision, and passing range made him one of the elite midfielders of his generation.
While Scholes dominated with United, Gerrard became synonymous with Liverpool, where he cemented his legacy despite never claiming the Premier League trophy. Gerrard’s crowning achievement came in 2005 when he captained Liverpool to a dramatic Champions League victory in Istanbul.
When directly asked who was better between himself and Gerrard, Scholes didn’t hesitate: “I can answer that. Gerrard. Gerrard’s a great player.”
Contrasting Playing Styles: Team Player vs. Match Winner
Scholes elaborated on their differences, explaining:
- “We’re different, we’re very different… he’s an athlete.”
- “I think he’s more of a match winner. But, he was playing in a team where he probably had to be.”
- “I was more part of a team. He was more individual I think.”
The Manchester United legend showed remarkable self-awareness, acknowledging: “I wouldn’t be able to do what he did at Liverpool. Whether he could’ve done it at United, I don’t know. I don’t see why not. But I couldn’t have done what he did at Liverpool, no.”
This perspective highlights the contextual nature of comparing footballing greats – both excelled in systems designed to maximize their unique abilities.
Interestingly, Wayne Rooney, who played alongside Scholes at Manchester United, shared a similar viewpoint when discussing the midfield titans. Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, Rooney stated: “I think Stevie could come to United and be a top, top player and almost do what Scholes could do, where I don’t think Scholesy could go and do what Stevie did at Liverpool.”
Rooney further praised Gerrard’s versatility:
| Gerrard’s All-Round Abilities |
|---|
| Defending |
| Passing |
| Running |
| Tackling |
| Scoring goals |
| Set pieces |
“I think as an all-rounder, Stevie’s the best out of them,” Rooney concluded.
The comments from both Scholes and Rooney provide fascinating insight into how professional footballers evaluate their peers – often with more nuance than typical fan debates. While statistics and trophies form part of the conversation, understanding the different roles and team contexts provides a more complete picture.
Which side of the debate do you fall on? Was Gerrard’s match-winning ability more valuable, or did Scholes’ team-oriented brilliance make him the superior midfielder? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join our football legends poll to make your voice heard!