Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has announced his retirement at the age of 36, with immediate effect. Scholes made his United debut in 1994 and played for them 676 times, and will now join the club's coaching staff. "This was not a decision I've taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing," he said. "Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The famously-low key Scholes said "I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour. "To have been part of the team that helped the Club reach that 19th title is a great privilege." Source: BBC