One of the finest performances by an English player in the Champions League this season but Scholesy still wasn't happy
In his
London Independent column this week, Paul Scholes gives us yet more evidence of the sheer maniacal will to win and high standards that existed in Alex Ferguson's Manchester United dressing room.
Now most of that great side has retired we have learned from the likes of Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Scholes of the refusal to accept anything less than the best and utter disgust at any person or side that accepts lower standards or defeat.
Scholes returned to that theme this morning when writing about Joe Hart today. The Manchester City keeper was exceptional against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, making great save after great save to keep his side in it. Ultimately, his team would lose 1-0 and go out anyway but Hart was superb.
However, Scholes take on the matter reflects the standards he expects of players.
'Well done to Joe Hart for a record number of saves in a Champions League game this season, and without him it would undoubtedly have been much worse for City.
'But what I could not get my head around was his evident delight at it all. Towards the end of the game he was smiling after every save and fist-bumping his defenders. City were losing 1-0.
'They were going out of the Champions League. What were they celebrating? Not losing 5-0?'
It is harsh by Scholes but it hammers home his world view that there is no such thing as heroic failure.
