Manchester United: Why Paul Scholes Should Extend His Return Beyond This Season

The announcement that Paul Scholes was to come out of retirement to help out Manchester United was an unexpected one for most of us. Not that it doesn't necessarily make sense; it does. He has stayed in good shape and United need all the bodies they can get right now.

It was unexpected because, generally when top level sportsmen and women call it a day, that is the last we see of them. There have been exceptions—notably George Foreman in boxing, Michael Schumacher in Formula One and the cyclist Lance Armstrong all returned to their sports after periods away—but in football such returns are especially rare.

Armstrong returned in part to help spread the word of his LIVESTRONG campaigns to raise awareness on cancer around the world. But quite evidently too, the thrill of competition and a love of his sport were also a strong lure, as it was the case for Foreman and Schumacher also.

It begs the question: why retire in the first place?

When Scholes confirmed his retirement last May he said, "This was not a decision I've taken lightly, but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing." The assertion being, as so many footballers have expressed upon retirement, that he wanted to finish at the top.

The former England midfielder's statement prior to Sunday's FA Cup tie with Manchester City was typical of Scholes, brief and to the point. The issue of remaining relevant to United and football itself was evidently clear. "I’m delighted the manager feels I can still make a contribution to the team and I’m looking forward to playing my part in trying to bring more success to this great club," the 37-year-old said.

But more striking was the first line of that statement: "I’ve been pretty clear since I stopped playing that I miss it."

Surely, this is the only issue that should be of concern for someone who loves playing football as much as Scholes.

Of course there are few better places to play the sport than for Man United. To hear Sir Alex Ferguson tell him that he "always felt that he had another season in him" will undoubtedly make Scholes confident he still has a contribution to make at the highest level.

Scholes may well play a pivotal role in the remainder of United's season, perhaps one that will help them retain their Premier League title, or win the Europa League. And if he should, if he is still enjoying his football, why should it stop there?

Already a major part of so many successful United sides, Scholes too is regarded by players both home and abroad as one of the best footballers of the past 20 years. His legacy is assured, so there is no need to worry about reputation so long as he still feels he can compete.

This might not be at the Premier League beyond this season, but dropping down a league or two to continue playing football should not be regarded as something that might tarnish his career. One example Scholes might benefit from looking at here is that of Dave Mackay.

Having been an integral part of Tottenham Hotspur's great sides of the 1960s, past injuries were beginning to take their toll on Mackay to the extent that he felt he no longer had the legs to compete in the top division of English football.

At this point in 1968, Derby County manager Brian Clough came calling. Under the management of Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor, Mackay was converted to a sweeper, where the former Scotland international used his class and experience in effectively becoming the on-field manager of this fledgling, talented Rams side.

Derby won the Second Division in Mackay's first season at the club, and so impressive were his performances he was named the joint Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year (along with Manchester City's Tony Book).

Scholes too could have such an impact for a team in a similar position to that of Derby in the late 1960s. Like Mackay, Scholes would act as a great example for young team-mates as to how the ideal professional footballer should conduct himself. He too is the sort of player a side could still be built around at that level, his vision and passing being qualities that will thrive in such an environment and that will not leave him like physical attributes might.

The remainder of this season might be enough to make Scholes decide that it really is all she wrote for him as a pro. But should it not, should playing football still give him the kind of joy that it has given so many of us blessed enough to play it at whatever level, Scholes should continue to enjoy it as long as he possibly can.