Paul Scholes was loved by Zidane, made Figo star struck and Ronaldinho envious

He was the midfield maestro who spent his entire professional career - bar a match for Royston Town - at Manchester United in one of the most dominant English teams in Premier League history.

The midfielder, who turns 47 today, won 11 Premier League titles, just one part of his incredible haul of 25 trophies during an illustrious career under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

A total of 718 games and 155 goals make him an unquestionable legend at United but the stats don't tell the whole story.

He was about as complete a midfielder as you could find in the game. His range of passing was out of this world, he could lash a volley into the top corner from outside the box, he could dictate games from midfield and even make a tackle, although he did earn 97 Premier League yellow cards.

His goals against Bradford, Aston Villa and Barcelona spring to mind when you think about 'classic' Scholes.

He even hit 20 goals in a single season in the 2003/04 campaign, perhaps not too much of a surprise when you consider he played further forwards, than he had done in his younger days.

And like teammate Roy Keane, he showed his commitment to club over his own individual game with his performance against Juventus in their 1998/99 semi-final second leg match, earning a booking, which saw him suspended for the historic final, just to ensure United won.

Scholes was nominated for the Ballon d'Or five times but failed to receive a single vote each time and perhaps never received the personal accolades that were befitting of a player of his talent.

But he was respected by his peers perhaps more than any other player in recent memory.

Zinedine Zidane was arguably one of the most talented players of his generation for both club and country.

When once asked "what does it feel like to be the best player in the world?" Zidane reportedly replied: "I don't know, ask Paul Scholes."

In a separate interview, he said: "There is no doubt for me that Paul Scholes is still in a class of his own. He's almost untouchable in what he does. I never tire of watching him play.

"You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get. One of my regrets is that the opportunity to play alongside him never presented itself during my career."

He's not the only legendary midfielder who wished he'd played alongside Scholes. Barcelona icon, and current Man City boss, Pep Guardiola said: "Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes - he is the best midfielder of his generation.

"I would have loved to have played alongside him."

The Barcelona team of the 2000s was all conquering and in many ways revolutionised the game with Xavi and Andres Iniesta dominating in midfield.

The two were lauded as the best of their generation but Xavi argued that accolade should have gone to the Man United man.

He said: "In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times.

"Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn't give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more."

Perhaps a little dig there about the way he was used in the England team, often being utilised on the left so as to accommodate Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in central midfield.

They were not the only icons of their generation who sung Scholes' praises.

Luis Figo said: "I'm star-struck when I see Paul Scholes because you never see him. On the pitch you can't catch him. Off the pitch he disappears."

Brazilian great Ronaldinho said: "I want to pass like him. Who taught him how to do that?"

Those inside Old Trafford knew how special a player he was and for all the greats in that team; Ryan Giggs, Andy Cole, David Beckham, Peter Schmeichel, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and others, Scholes was often lauded as the best.

"He's always one of those people others talk about," David Beckham said. "Even playing at Real Madrid, the players always say to me 'what's he like'? They respect him as a footballer and see him as the ultimate."

Only Giggs and Bobby Charlton played more games for Man United than Scholes - two exceptional players.

But Charlton labelled Scholes as possibly the very best footballer ever, let alone United player.

He said: "I have no hesitation in putting a name to the embodiment of all that I think is best about football. It's Paul Scholes. Many great players have worn the shirt of Manchester United. Players I worshipped, then lost with my youth in Munich.

"Players like Denis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Alex Ferguson era. And in so many ways Scholes is my favourite.

"I love his nous and conviction that he will find a way to win, to make the killer pass or produce the decisive volley. When a game reaches a vital phase, these qualities seem to come out of his every pore.

"He's always on the ball, always turning on goal. He's always looking to bring other people into the action and if he loses possession you think he must be ill."

Scholes shunned the limelight that came with being a top footballer and focused solely on his job on the pitch.

He has since been a regular TV pundit and had a brief stint as manager of Oldham but that lasted mere seven games.

Scholes will be remembered as one of the greatest of his generation that his peers aspired to be like.