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Scholes wants repeat performance Man United star excited about playing FA Cup final
Posted: Wednesday May 19, 1999 11:04 AM
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -- The last time Paul Scholes left the Wembley pitch he was clutching the match ball following his hat trick for England against Poland in March. On Saturday he hopes to be walking back to the changing room with an FA Cup winners medal to ease the pain he is sure to feel over the following week. A harsh booking has ruled the combative Manchester United midfielder out of next Wednesday's European Champions League final against Bayern Munich but he has ensured his place in the domestic final against Newcastle. And the media-shy Scholes is hoping he can finish his season on a high note to help him cope with the disappointment that will follow. "I think I've got over missing out on the European final. There's nothing I can do about it. It's done," he said. "It's disappointing. I didn't think it was a booking either which made it harder to take but you have to live with it. "Now I'd like to score a hat trick again but this time for United. Hopefully I can produce my England form again but you can't guarantee that will happen." United goes into the game seeking part two of a unique triple crown after already securing the Premier League title and Scholes believes winning the English crown last Sunday makes its FA Cup final task a lot easier. "I think it has taken a bit of pressure off us. We've definitely won something so I think we can look forward to these games believing we can get something out of them as well." But he is warning the Reds' defense not to listen to the hype suggesting Newcastle striker Alan Shearer is past his best. Scholes was his partner with England against Poland and knows from first hand experience how dangerous the national captain still is. "Everyone knows what a great player he is. People sometimes write him off but that's a joke. Look at the amount of goals he's scored and you can be sure he will be their biggest threat," Scholes said. "Duncan Ferguson will be another danger man but it doesn't really matter what team they put out. We will get on with our own game plan. It's an F.A. Cup final and they will be giving their all and it should be a good cup game. "We are not going out to take it easy," Scholes added. "We want to win it. We want medals."
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