Manchester United Icon, Paul Scholes Honored with Stunning Mural

Legendary Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been immortalized with a stunning mural in his hometown of Middleton, Greater Manchester.

The artwork, created by renowned street artist Akse P19, adorns the side of Middleton Fish Bar and serves as a tribute to Scholes' illustrious career and enduring impact on the local community.

Scholes, affectionately known as "The Ginger Ninja," dedicated his entire professional career to Manchester United, amassing 718 appearances and scoring 155 goals. His achievements include 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs, solidifying his status as one of football's all-time greats.

The mural was commissioned following a public poll in Middleton, where residents overwhelmingly chose Scholes as the local legend to be celebrated. Remarkably, even fans of Manchester City participated in the vote, highlighting the midfielder's universal appeal.

The artwork is based on a photograph by Mancunian photographer Paul Cooper and was curated by local organizations, including Culture Coop and Art House Middleton. Akse P19, who previously created the iconic Marcus Rashford mural in Withington, expressed his pride in honoring Scholes, describing him as "a true legend of the game".

Scholes, known for his modesty, reacted with characteristic humility when informed about the mural. "I wasn’t expecting that," he said during a recent interview. "It’s on the side of a chippy in Middleton, where I’m from. Someone sent me a picture of it on Instagram last week. Apparently, there was a vote, and I won".