Scholes factfile

Sky Sports looks back at the career of Paul Scholes following the midfielder's decision to retire.

Paul Scholes has announced his retirement after a wonderful career with Manchester United. The midfielder, who hung up his boots in 2011 before making a shock return a few months later, will leave another major void to be filled at Old Trafford following the recent announcement that Soir Alex Ferguson would be standing down at Old Trafford. Here, Sky Sports takes a look back at the key points in Scholes' career. 1974: Born Salford, November 16. 1991: Signs for Manchester United as a trainee. 1992: Helps United win FA Youth Cup. 1993: Signs professional forms with United. 1994-95: Makes Premier League debut on September 24 against Ipswich. Scores five goals in 17 league appearances during season. 1995-96: Scores 10 goals in 26 league appearances as the Red Devils win the Premier League and FA Cup double. 1996-97: Hits three goals in 24 league appearances as United retain the Premier League title. 1997: May 9 - Called into the England squad by Glenn Hoddle despite only being a reserve for United. May 24 - Makes his international debut as a substitute against South Africa at Old Trafford. June 4 - Plays for England in Le Tournoi, scoring on his first start against Italy. 1997-98: Makes 31 league appearances for United, scoring eight goals, as they finish runners-up to Arsenal. 1998: May - Selected for England's World Cup squad. June - Scores second goal as England win opening match of finals 2-0 versus Tunisia. 1999: March - Scores hat-trick in 3-1 win against Poland in Euro 2000 qualifier at Wembley. May - United complete a historic treble of European Cup, Premier League and FA Cup but Scholes misses the European Cup final triumph over Bayern Munich through suspension. June - Sent off in 0-0 draw against Sweden in Euro 2000 qualifier at Wembley. November - Scores twice for England in 2-0 win over Scotland in Euro 2000 play-off first leg at Hampden Park. 2000: January - Misses World Club Championship for Manchester United after undergoing hernia operation. June - Scores England's opening goal after just three minutes in the 3-2 defeat to Portugal in Euro 2000. 2001: June - Nets the opener in the crucial 2-0 win over Greece in England's World Cup qualifier in Athens. 2001-02: Ends the domestic season with eight goals in 35 league appearances and is part of England's World Cup squad which reaches the quarter-finals. 2002-03: Scores a best-ever 14 league goals as United win their eighth Premier League title, including a hat-trick in a 6-2 win at Newcastle. Adds six goals in other competitions to finish the season with 20. 2004: February 14 - Makes his 400th appearance for United in an FA Cup fifth-round derby clash with Manchester City, scoring the first goal in a 4-2 win. June - Plays in all four of England's games in Euro 2004, scoring his first international goal for three years in the 4-2 win over Croatia. August 3 - Makes shock announcement he is retiring from international football. 2005: May 21 - Misses a penalty in the FA Cup final shoot-out as rivals Arsenal triumph in Cardiff following a goalless draw. August 12 - Signs a new four-year deal with Manchester United to keep him at Old Trafford until 2009. 2006: January 24 - Ruled out for three months with an eye condition. But is out for even longer and does not play again until final game of the season. October 22 - Makes 500th appearance for United against Liverpool at Old Trafford, scoring the first goal in a 2-0 victory. 2007: May - Helps United win ninth Premier League title. 2008: April 29 - Scores winner in Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona to secure 1-0 aggregate triumph. May 21 - Helps United win Champions League in Moscow, beating Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. 2009: March 1 - Part of United side that beats Tottenham on penalties in Carling Cup final. May - United regain Premier League title but go down 2-0 to Barcelona in Champions League final in Rome. 2010: February 28 - Helps United retain Carling Cup with 2-1 win over Aston Villa. April 16 - Signs new one-year contract. May - Helps United retain Premier League title. Rejects approach from England manager Fabio Capello to return to international football ahead of World Cup. 2011: April 16 - Sent off as United lose 1-0 to Manchester City in FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. May 14 - Helps United win record 19th English league title. May 28 - Part of the United side beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in Champions League final at Wembley. May 31 - Announces his retirement from football and intention to take on coaching role at Old Trafford. August 5 - Scores a trademark 20-yarder in his farewell testimonial match against the New York Cosmos at a sell-out Old Trafford. 2012: January 8 - Comes out of retirement to assist a United side hit by injuries, signing a contract until the end of the season. Is immediately named on the bench for United's FA Cup third-round clash with Manchester City. 2012: January 14 Makes his first start since coming out of retirement and scores in a 3-0 victory over Bolton at Old Trafford. 2012: May 30 Signs a new one-year contract with Manchester United to keep him at the club until the summer of 2013. 2012: September 15 Marks his 700th appearance for Manchester United with a goal in their 4-0 victory over Wigan, meaning he had scored in 19 consecutive Premier League seasons. 2013: April 22 Manchester United clinch the Premier League title, giving Scholes an 11th league winners' medal. 2013: May 12 Announces his retirement for a second time ahead of Manchester United's final home game of the season against Swansea.