Paul Scholes vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
Few debates split football fans quite like Paul Scholes versus Paul Ince. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. Across his senior career Paul Scholes notched 169 goals in 784 appearances (0.22 per game), while Paul Ince recorded 90 in 650 (0.14 per game). Add playmaking to the mix and Paul Scholes laid on 75 goals, Paul Ince 60. Trophy counts give Paul Scholes 17 and Paul Ince 4, with 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008) and 2× Premier League (1993, 1994) the standout honours respectively. Across the turn of the millennium and the 1990s respectively, their creative and dictatorial styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Club journeys add another layer, with Paul Scholes reaching his representative peak around 2008 across Manchester United and Paul Ince doing so around 1994 with West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
170 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Manchester United midfielder renowned for his passing range and vision; two-time Champions League winner.
“A short-sighted, single-touch midfielder whose passing range was unmatched in his generation.”
The first Black player to captain England, Ince was a combative, driving midfielder at the heart of Manchester United's early Premier League dominance.
“An aggressive, all-action midfielder whose tackling and late runs into the box made him a formidable box-to-box presence.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
- 11× Premier League
- 3× FA Cup (1996, 1999, 2004)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2008)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Manchester United debut
- 1996 First Premier League title
- 1999 Treble winner with Manchester United
- 2003 Briefly retired from England duty
- 2008 Second Champions League winner
- 2011 Came out of retirement to help Manchester United
- 2013 Retired for good at Manchester United
- 1986 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1993 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1990 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Swindon Town
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Paul Scholes wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
