Ginger prince spices up Jalan Besar

Under the blistering sun, Paul Scholes kept wiping his ginger brow.

The coconut husk infills on the Jalan Besar pitch, meant to give the turf a cooler surface temperature, had little effect under 36 deg C temperatures.

Still, the former Manchester United midfielder, in Singapore to help launch Courts' 40th anniversary celebrations, pushed on during the training session with 40 youths from the Special Olympics and East View Secondary School.

He ran the drills, demonstrated the passes and took a breather only when he needed to coach a young footballer or pose for photographs with gushing officials and journalists.

CHANGED VIEW

A proud Liverpool supporter, I took an early prejudiced view of the Ginger Prince, who made over 700 appearances for United and retired from the game last year at the age of 38.

But my stance changed when he struck his trademark volley, just five metres from me.

With his very first attempt, off a cross from a Courts Young Lions player, Scholes shifted his 39-year-old body and arrowed the ball from outside the penalty box into the bottom corner.

Throughout his 21-year career, the United legend had struck such net-embracing beauties at Old Trafford, Wembley, and even the Stade Velodrome - for England, at the 1998 World Cup against Tunisia.

Yesterday, the Jalan Besar Stadium was another venue where Scholes, a member of Fergie's Fledglings, left his calling card.

Watching the former playmaker casually work the ball for just a few moments, it's easy to understand why so many football experts once labelled Scholes as one of the best players to have graced the Premiership.

His reputation as a reserved, shy individual off the pitch was also evident.

Though he received cordially all who approached him, Scholes wasn't too vocal with the kids.

Even during a football clinic, he preferred to let his feet do the talking.

His United teammate Roy Keane once highlighted that he liked Scholes because he constantly shunned the "celebrity" side of professional sport.

He did, however, graciously afford the waiting media three minutes under the shade.

Inevitably, everyone wanted to know what he thought of United this season; the club which launched his career, and the only one he played for.

Typical of the man and his loyalty, he defended current manager David Moyes.

"It's been a difficult season for him. His signings (Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata) haven't quite settled in, and he's had a host of injuries to contend with," said Scholes, still panting from the workout.

"But Moyes hasn't made any excuses. Hopefully, next year will be better. This season, United have to try and finish off in good style. "If we make the Champions League final, it won't be a bad season."

When asked if he agreed with the factions of fans calling for Moyes' head, Scholes responded with a resounding "no".

"It's far too early. I feel sorry for Moyes, really. He's had his hands tied behind his back.

"He's hardly played with a consistent back four all season because of the injury problems.

GIVE HIM TIME

"It's not a case of how many seasons to give him. Give him time until he gets it right. Results will decide."

Constantly referring to United as "we" and "our" - a sign of affinity to the Red Devils - Scholes also listed the requirements of a Manchester United manager.

Challenge for the league, the FA Cup and the Champions League - "or whoever is in charge won't be there".

On the back of United's 3-0 win over Olympiakos in midweek, which ensured their progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, Scholes said he saw no reason why the Red Devils cannot reach the final in Lisbon on May 24.

"Our best performances this season have been in Europe," explained Scholes, a Champions League winner in 1999 and 2008. "The other seven teams are all very good, and that's our only problem.

"But, if we play like we did (against Olympiakos), then I don't see why we can't win it."

United will meet defending champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

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