Paul Scholes factfile

Manchester United's Paul Scholes announced his retirement from football today. We take a closer look at the midfielder.

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.

September 10 - Scores opening goal in World Cup qualifier as England trounce Moldova 4-0.

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.

December - Criticises the appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach, saying: "It's the England team and I'd like to see them with an English manager."

2001: June - Nets the opener in the crucial 2-0 win over Greece in England's World Cup qualifier in Athens.

July - Agrees new six-year deal at Old Trafford, joining several others at United in committing long-term to the club.

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.

February 20 - Charged with violent conduct towards an opponent, Middlesbrough's Doriva, by the FA after an incident missed by referee Paul Durkin.

April 3 - Books United's place in the FA Cup final with the only goal in semi-final win over Arsenal at Villa Park.

April 19 - Banned for three matches with immediate effect by the Football Association for charge of violent conduct in relation to Doriva incident.

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.

October 29 - Ruled out for three months with knee ligament injury.

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.