Manchester United Veterans Paul Scholes And Ryan Giggs Are Just The Latest Beneficiaries Of Sir Alex Ferguson's 'International Indifference'
The Red Devils' boss has never cared too much for the international game..
.
By Peter Staunton
Aug 17, 2010 4:00:00 PM
17 Share
Related Links
Teams
* Man Utd.
Players
* Paul Scholes
* Nani
* Ji-Sung Park
* Dimitar Berbatov
* Ryan Giggs
* Rio Ferdinand
* Sir Alex Ferguson
* John O'Shea
* Wayne Rooney
The evergreen Paul Scholes has drawn the plaudits so far this term in much the same way that his Manchester United colleague Ryan Giggs did two seasons ago. He has been praised and admired for his sprightliness, energy and longevity and maintaining an impressive level of fitness and ability, remaining an integral part of the United set-up at 35.
The midfielder's last two outings, in the Community Shield and the Premier League, have yielded two man of the match awards and fresh regret that he was not willing to play for England in the World Cup.
Scholes and Giggs | Reaping the benefit of international retirement
But his decision to shun the national team conforms perfectly to the structure set down at Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite his assertions to the contrary, Ferguson outwardly displays little regard for the international game; with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Nani, to name only three, suffering serious recent injuries whilst on international duty, why would he?
He seems to prefer his players to stay away from friendlies and low stakes qualifiers and the presence of internationally retired players, and the merely internationally indifferent, in his ranks pays testament to this.
Scholes, Ryan Giggs and the former Manchester United captain Roy Keane all curtailed their international careers with their caps totals only in the mid sixties. Their contemporary, David Beckham, had differing views to Ferguson regarding a number of issues, perhaps his desire to kick every ball for England among them.
Scholes, Giggs and Edwin van der Sar are reaping the benefits of their decisions to walk away from the international scene as they continue to defy Father Time with commanding displays at the top level and not at LA Galaxy. Now a younger generation is now falling into line. Wes Brown and Dimitar Berbatov have recently quit their respective national camps, presumably to prolong their careers with Manchester United.
Internationally indifferent | Dimitar Berbatov has called a halt
And looking around the current squad it is difficult to ascertain the genuine 'stars' of the international scene. Wayne Rooney would seem to be the obvious candidate but has suffered an alarming drop in form and fitness; he is without a goal since March for club or country and punched in a poor World Cup campaign. Despite the season being only a match old the 24-year-old striker looks like a man in need of a rest.
Burn-out | Is Rooney suffering from playing too many matches?
Ferdinand is serially injured and was the focus of Ferguson's demand in February that he cease to put country before club.
Bonafide international 'stars' are, and have been, a rarity at Manchester United under Ferguson. Park Ji Sung, the South Korea captain, is arguably the biggest in the current ranks.
In contrast to Bayern Munich and Inter, who have sent representatives to each of the last eight World Cup finals, Ferguson has yet to send one during his tenure. In European Championships only Peter Schmeichel in 1992 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004 played in the final match while being paid by United. For a club decorated with no fewer than 26 major honours under his stewardship, that is a curiosity.
Scholes and Giggs have regularly cited their decision to quit international football as a major factor in their extended club careers; a two-week break every second month or so contributes in helping to preserve their staying power.
Certain players are often criticised for putting country before club, like Miroslav Klose at Bayern Munich, but that template would never be tolerated at Old Trafford. Moreover there is never any question which takes precedence while on Manchester United's books. Club or country? It's more a case of United or the road
