Paul Scholes missed out on the UEFA Champions League in the 2011/12 season because of retirement, he will get another bite of the apple this season with Manchester United drawing Galatasaray, SC Braga and CFR Cluj in the group stages. But is Scholesy still eager to play in Europe and win at the highest level…Does the Champions League draw still excite you?
Definitely. It really feels like the season is upon us when it comes round each year. Of course, you always want short journeys for the group games, but it hasn’t happened in this draw. We know it won’t be easy – it’s always difficult to get through the group stages as we found last year. But as long as we win our home games and try and pick up a couple of away wins we should be okay.
Good home form is going to be key this season, isn’t it?
Yes, definitely. We were disappointing at Old Trafford last season and conceded too many goals. When we’ve qualified [for the latter stages] in the past, which has been almost every year, we’ve usually won our three home games and then won an away game or two and that’s what we’ll be trying to do this year.
Is it nice for you to be involved in the Champions League again after missing out last season?
Yes… this time last year I didn’t think I’d be playing in it again! It was strange not being involved, but hopefully I can play a part this year and help us do better. It’s a great competition.
Manchester United’s Paul Scholesagainst Ajax Cape Town during their friendly match at the Cape Town Stadium (REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)
Taken from ManUtd.com who distributed this interview by email
By Paul Bienkowski
