Scholes has called time on a career which encompassed 676 appearances for United after his debut in 1994 and brought him 10 Premier League titles in addition to the 2008 Champions League triumph. Former United full-back Blackmore told Sky Sports News: "I was slightly surprised - he's a very quiet lad and he's gone out very quietly. "We all knew Edwin (van der Sar) was going to finish, but I thought we might get another season out of Scholes. He played a big part this season in us winning the league and getting to the Champions League final." Scholes was a key figure in the fabled 'Class of 92' which emerged from the Old Trafford youth system, alongside the likes of David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville and Nicky Butt. Blackmore continued: "I played with him as a young lad and I thought he was the best of that bunch that came through - his awareness, his vision, he gets into the box and scores goals. "You talk about Ryan Giggs, who's been fantastic at the club, and Scholes is in the same bracket - he's played nearly as many games and scored as many goals." Another former United defender, Gordon McQueen, believes manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have a tough job to fill the void left by Scholes. "His contribution's been absolutely massive and we'll see now how difficult it is replacing players like that, it's getting harder and more expensive," he told Sky Sports News. "There's talk about Luka Modric at Tottenham, who's a good little player but there's no way he could ever make the contribution to United that Paul Scholes has made over his career." Scholes will move into a coaching role with the Red Devils and McQueen continued: "That surprises me a little bit, I thought he'd just disappear from the game altogether - he just seemed that type. "He's obviously still got an enthusiasm for football and doesn't want to just walk away from Old Trafford and Sir Alex and his staff obviously see something in him and feel he's able to make a contribution." United defender Rio Ferdinand took to his Twitter account to hail Scholes as the top player of his generation. He wrote: "Paul Scholes retires from football....the BEST player of his generation #fact loved every minute of playing football with him. "Paul Scholes aka Sat Nav went from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game(changed his game while still at top of the game) #genius. "Going to miss training with him + his cold cutting + dry comments on the bike while warming up next to me on any1 who deserves it! #funny." Dwight Yorke also paid a glowing tribute to his former United team-mate. He told Sky Sports News: "When you look back you talk about legends of the game, he's certainly up there. Twenty trophies since 1994 - he just seems to get better and better. "I've had the honour of playing alongside him. The four years I've played alongside him, he is the best player, one of the first names on the manager's teamsheet. "He is just a complete legend. There are not enough players like Paul Scholes around any more for my liking. "'Legend' is over-used but this guy is right up there with the very best."
