Paul Scholes on why he got away with putting Phil Neville "in the stands" in training

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes was known for his tackling - both good and bad - during a long and trophy-laden career, and he even dished it out to his teammates on the training ground.

Even his fellow academy talents weren't safe, as Phil Neville learned when the pair were together at Old Trafford. And Scholes has shared details of the mindset which saw him put his colleague in the stands during a training session.

Scholes is one of a number of former United stars to ask questions of the current crop in his role as a pundit, taking aim from behind a microphone on countless occasions this season. On top of this, though, he has been honest about what it was like to come up through the ranks during his playing days.

Back in 2017, during an appearance for BT Sport, Scholes was quizzed by fellow pundit Martin Keown about taking things out on the younger of the two Neville brothers. Rather than hiding from the question, the former England international opened up about the mindset which brought it about.

"You were competing, you were competitive, you needed to get in the team," Scholes said. "I'm not saying you go out to injure people, but me and Nicky [Butt], we're coming off with blood on our legs, everything.

"But that was the drive we had and the competition we had. You don't see a lot of that any more, that desire and will and that special talent you need to get into the team.

Scholes was asked about the role of Eric Harrison as well as Sir Alex Ferguson in helping deliver the mindset. Harrison, who died in 2019, had played a pivotal role in helping Scholes and his contemporaries break into the first team in the 90s, but the long-serving coach also ensured none of them rested on their laurels.

"That was the