Scholes: club rivalries go international

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes club rivalries hamper England’s chances of success.

The 36-year-old revealed there was an atmosphere of suspicion between players from rival clubs during his time in the squad.

“There is a big rivalry between clubs in this country and it isn’t healthy when you go away on international duty,” he told the Sunday Mirror.

“When I was with England, there was always a lot of United players and Liverpool players in the squad and it was plainly obvious that some of our lads didn’t like some of their boys and some of their lads didn’t like some of us.

“We weren’t just footballers, we actually loved the clubs we played for and the rivalry was always there.

“As Mancs and Scousers we were always a bit suspicious of each other and you can’t have that kind of thing if you want to be successful at international level.”

Earlier this week Scholes expressed a measure of sympathy with Carlos Tevez, who refused to appear as a substitute for Man City against Bayern Munich.

And in yesterday’s Observer, Scholes, who went through a similar experience in a League Cup tie for United in 2001, said: “The thing with Tevez is that (City manager Roberto) Mancini’s definitely messing him about, which, when you’re a player, you don’t take kindly to.

“He’s definitely trying to punish him for saying he wants to leave, because without doubt he was City’s best player last season.

“To me it looks like he wants to play, but he can’t cope with being sub.”