Football is never short of a shock, which means rarely does news catch you off guard. However, when Slaven Bilic rocked up to his post-match press conference, ahead of West Ham’s clash with Crystal Palace, and dropped a Dimitri Payet-shaped exit bomb, it caught everyone by surprise.
SEE ALSO: Eight potential destinations for Payet
Of course, Payet isn’t the first footballer to go on strike, and he most certainly won’t be the last – which is great for (your words) “a pointless blog, run by pointless people” that thoroughly enjoys such good, old fashioned news, like a player refusing to play.
When digging into the football archives of renegades, tucked away in a corner was a piece of footballing history that many a Manchester United fan will have been trying to make you forget happened; Paul Scholes went on strike.
That’s right, England’s second greatest centre-midfielder of the Premier League era, once refused to play for the Red Devils under Sir Alex Ferguson – if anything ever warranted a football boot to the head, that sounds like it.
https://twitter.com/SemperFiUnited/status/727052346342162432
In 2001, Fergie’s boys went down to Liverpool, 3-1 – you know, in that game that the pair pretend is a genuine football derby. And the ginger ninja wasn’t picked for the XI and, naturally, he wasn’t a happy bunny with Sir Alex’s decision. Therefore, in true sulking fashion, the United legend refused to play in a League Cup tie at Arsenal a few days later.
Don’t worry United fans, though, no one reads this website (according to you), so your secret is safe with us…
7 former Manchester United players that are still playing
Guiseppe Rossi
Sort of similar to Forlan, the Italian striker struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford, struggling with injuries and from the fact he was shit. However, he had a bit of a resurgence at Villarreal. And then just dropped off the map. No need to spend £89million to bring this one back, United. But if you're looking for him, he's knocking around at Celta Vigo on loan. Image Source: Joe
Diego Forlan
Weird one; figure of ridicule at United, only to leave and become one of the most impressive strikers for several seasons. The former Atletico Madrid striker is currently seeing out his playing days in the Indian Super League with Mumbai City FC. Image Source: Standard
Kleberson
The former World Cup-winner(!) isn't even good enough to play Major League Soccer. Currently with American team, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Image Source: The Secret Footballer
Alan Smith
Should've been synonymous with so much more, however, the former Leeds United and Manchester United is the first person that springs to mind when someone says 'leg break'. Never quite reached the heights many thought he would, and is now just thankful to still be playing at Notts County. Image Source: Perform Group
Eric Djemba-Djemba
Forget #Pogback, it's all about trying to bring home the cult hero, Djemba-Djemba. However, the Red Devils may struggle to get him back to Old Trafford, with EDD said to be thoroughly enjoying playing for FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues in the fifth tier of Swiss football. Image Source: Independent
Liam Miller
Such a Football Manager 'regen' name. Will forever be one of Sir Alex Ferguson's more bizarre and downright stupid signings. The one-time midfield partner to the likes of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes is now in the third tier of the United Soccer League with Wilmington Hammerheads FC. Image Source: Wikipedia
Zoran Tosic
Football Manager sensation, at one point, played a mere two games for the Red Devils before they somehow got £8million from CSKA Moscow for the winger - those were the days when transfer fees still had some sort of relevance. He's still there now, being as nondescript as ever. Image Source: Blog Spot
Guiseppe Rossi
Sort of similar to Forlan, the Italian striker struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford, struggling with injuries and from the fact he was shit. However, he had a bit of a resurgence at Villarreal. And then just dropped off the map. No need to spend £89million to bring this one back, United. But if you're looking for him, he's knocking around at Celta Vigo on loan. Image Source: Joe
Diego Forlan
Weird one; figure of ridicule at United, only to leave and become one of the most impressive strikers for several seasons. The former Atletico Madrid striker is currently seeing out his playing days in the Indian Super League with Mumbai City FC. Image Source: Standard
Kleberson
The former World Cup-winner(!) isn't even good enough to play Major League Soccer. Currently with American team, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Image Source: The Secret Footballer
Alan Smith
Should've been synonymous with so much more, however, the former Leeds United and Manchester United is the first person that springs to mind when someone says 'leg break'. Never quite reached the heights many thought he would, and is now just thankful to still be playing at Notts County. Image Source: Perform Group
Eric Djemba-Djemba
Forget #Pogback, it's all about trying to bring home the cult hero, Djemba-Djemba. However, the Red Devils may struggle to get him back to Old Trafford, with EDD said to be thoroughly enjoying playing for FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues in the fifth tier of Swiss football. Image Source: Independent
Liam Miller
Such a Football Manager 'regen' name. Will forever be one of Sir Alex Ferguson's more bizarre and downright stupid signings. The one-time midfield partner to the likes of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes is now in the third tier of the United Soccer League with Wilmington Hammerheads FC. Image Source: Wikipedia
Zoran Tosic
Football Manager sensation, at one point, played a mere two games for the Red Devils before they somehow got £8million from CSKA Moscow for the winger - those were the days when transfer fees still had some sort of relevance. He's still there now, being as nondescript as ever. Image Source: Blog Spot
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