TheFA.com: You've had a few partners in the centre of midfield with England down the years. Steven Gerrard is the latest. How's that partnership going?

Paul Scholes: Steven's a quality player - I know that from playing against him. Most of my career managers have tended to pair me with a more holding player as that provides a good balance with me as I like to get forward.

It's the same with both Steven and Nicky [Butt] in the sense that we know we can't over commit and send both central midfielders forward at the same time. It's just a case of communication and one person sitting in if the other has gone into a more advanced position.

TheFA.com: You mentioned Nicky Butt...you go back a long way with him don't you?

Paul Scholes: It must be coming up to around fifteen years now yeah. We first played together for Oldham Boys when I was about twelve or thirteen. We had played against each other before that but it was good to play alongside him. In those days, I was a bit of right-winger as well as a midfielder!

TheFA.com: Brian Kidd is another man you know well from your time together at United. What's it like having him as a coach with England now?

Paul Scholes: Yeah, I'd say Brian has been one of the really big influences in my career. It was him that spotted me when I was about twelve and asked me to come to United in the first place so to now work with him again for England is great.

TheFA.com: Take us back to those early days at United. It's not always that easy for a homegrown player to get a chance at such a big club. When did you first start to make an impression at Old Trafford?

Paul Scholes: My first-team breakthrough came in the League Cup. The manager gave a whole load of youngsters the chance to come into the first team for a game against Port Vale. I really wanted to take my chance and thankfully I did, scoring two goals on the night. One was a header and one I picked up from a loose back pass.

That was an important game for me and things have gone from there really.

TheFA.com: Then came the call from England. Have you adapted your game much for the international stage?

Paul Scholes: Not too much to be honest. My game is based a lot on instinct anyway plus I'm very much a believer that if you're doing something well for your club then that's what you should be looking to reproduce for your country.

TheFA.com: What has been the highlight of your international career so far?

Paul Scholes: Scoring a hat-trick against Poland and twice against Scotland have been my personal highlights for England but I hope that I'll be able to look back on having won something with my country because that's what it's all about.

TheFA.com: You are 28 now and have a good few years ahead of you but do you ever think about what you want to do after you finish playing?

Paul Scholes: I try not to. The most important thing from my perspective is to fully concentrate on my game for both United and England. That's my priority.

TheFA.com: That said, you are a relatively experienced player both in the international game and the Premier League. Who do you regard as your toughest opponents?

Paul Scholes: There are so many good players! Patrick Vieira obviously stands out as one of the best in his position. He's got most things to his game and is always a tough opponent. Steven Gerrard's another one - you know you need to be at your best when you come up against him so it's good to have him on my side for England.

I also think Kieron Dyer is an excellent player. With his pace and ability to get forward, I am not sure there are too many better than him in the world.

From Daniel Freedman