Two little boys

The contrast between Paul Scholes and Ronaldo is highlighted today as Scholes gives a rare interview.

The Times makes the connection most explicitly:

Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo may be on the same wavelength on the pitch, but off it you could trawl the planet and not find two more contrasting characters.

While Ronaldo has spent the past couple of weeks happily being photographed by the world's paparazzi and courted by beautiful women as he recovers from ankle surgery on holiday in the showbiz paradise of Los Angeles, his Manchester United team-mate would love nothing more than to be back home with his family in the sleepy Lancashire village of Saddleworth, out of sight and out of mind.

The Guardian point to Ronaldo when quoting Scholes's comments on moving from United:

When Scholes does leave United it will be after serving his whole career as a professional player there and there has never been any temptation to swap Old Trafford for another stage. Cristiano Ronaldo appears to fancy another platform on which to treat the world to his talents but Scholes believes there is little to be gained - other than financially - by moving elsewhere.

"If other players fancy a move and a bit of money, then good luck to them but, if they're at a place like this, I don't think they realise how lucky they are to be playing here.

"It's always a step down after here. There are obviously big clubs in the world but, while certain people think it might be a progression to move somewhere else when you leave here, I don't think it is.

"I've had everything I need. I'm at Manchester United and I'm from Manchester, so what more do I need? I'm just one of the lucky ones who is at such a big club and has won a lot of trophies, but there are a lot of players throughout the league that won't win anything, yet will make big money out of it. Good luck to them."

Perhaps the most important words here are "fancy a move and a bit of money".

Tevez gets in on the Ronaldo act with some comments widely reported, here from The Guardian:

"It is clear he is a very important player for us but this is a personal decision, which is up to him only. I understand Cristiano. Every footballer wants to pay at Real Madrid. I also think that everyone wants to play for Manchester United but, if what he seeks is something else, that should be respected. I have not talked to him but, when these things happen, neither side feels good."

Scolari refuses the "war of words" "started" by Sir Alex yesterday:

Scolari refused to be drawn on Ferguson's comments directly after seeing his new team overcome weak opposition to win his first match in charge by 4-0 against the Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical yesterday.

Yet, when asked whether Chelsea's experience could help them reclaim the title in the year ahead, the Brazilian said: "I think that I have some players with experience and I have some young boys in my team, but I feel with the blend that we have, yes, we have the experience to win the Premier League.

"I do not feel under any more pressure here than I have at any of the teams I have coached from around the world. It's normal, you know. Normal. For me, it's not different at Chelsea from the times I was coaching other club sides or the national teams of Brazil or Portugal. No difference at all."

It would probably be churlish of me to suggest that he has actually responded, so why start the article claiming he hasn't?