News: English football, already reeling from the FA debacle, suffered a further blow last night when Paul Scholes announced his surprise retirement from international competition.

The Manchester United player, long considered by opponents to be England's most potent midfield threat, brought the curtain down on a seven-year career that saw him earn 66 caps and score 14 goals.

Scholes's decision will have been welcomed by his club and family but has dismayed Sven-Goran Eriksson. The 29-year-old is understood to have been influenced by the antipathy within the national squad to playing the diamond formation - so forcing him out to play left midfield - which suits his style more.

"This is a decision I have not taken lightly," said Scholes, who made his England debut as a substitute in a friendly against South Africa in 1997 and scored 13 times in his first 35 matches.

"I have been considering retiring from international football for a while now. I have enjoyed seven years of great football, playing in the best competitions with some of the best players, under the best managers. Euro 2004 was fantastic, but afterwards I felt the time was right for myself and my family to make it my last England appearance."

The time he would be away from his family - Scholes is married to Claire, his childhood sweetheart, and has two young children, Aaron and Alicia - was a significant motivation behind his decision.

With Manchester United involved in European competition, the prospect of spending further time away from home with England during World Cup qualification and next summer on a tour of the US would have been less than appealing.

For a player happiest in familiar surroundings, United has long been the priority. The sales of his contemporaries Nicky Butt and David Beckham have affected Scholes profoundly, with the Oldham-born player unable to contemplate life away from Old Trafford.

"I am very sorry that Paul has decided to retire," said Eriksson, who awarded the midfielder 36 of his caps and once claimed, "when Scholes plays well, England play well".

"Paul and I have been speaking about this since Euro 2004 and, while he remained a key part of my plans for the England team, I fully respect his decision. He is a great player who has given so much to England over the last seven years.

"He has a very special talent and it has been a privilege working so closely with him."

Guardian Service