As far as iconic goals go, Paul Scholes outside-of-the-boot strike against Barcelona in 2008 is one of the most memorable ones from a Manchester United perspective.
Scholes’ audacious strike was the only goal over two legs against Barcelona and it made sure the Reds qualified for the Champions League final in Moscow.
United went on to win the tournament as they beat Chelsea on penalties but they might not have reached the final if Scholes’ shot went as intended.
Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, Scholes has now admitted that his storied strike was actually a fluke.
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“That was a miskick” Scholes said as he reflected on his best goals. “It came off the outside of my foot. If you’re trying to hit it that way, put a little fade on it, it should go outside the post and in the other corner, really.
“I don’t think I was thinking of doing that, I was thinking of just hitting the target, to be honest with you. But when it goes towards the keeper that way, you don’t mean that, no chance.”
United fans could have done without learning that Scholes didn’t mean to put the ball exactly where it struck the net but nevertheless, it remains one of the best goals in Champions League history.