Former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes has revealed that he has stepped away from television punditry to dedicate more time to caring for his severely autistic son, Aiden.
Speaking candidly on The Stick to Football podcast alongside former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as Jill Scott and Ian Wright, the 50-year-old opened up about the challenges of raising a non-verbal adult son and the impact it has had on his life both during and after his playing career.
“I made a decision this year because of Aiden and his special needs,” Scholes said. “All the work I do now is just around his routines. He has quite a strict routine every single day, and I just decided everything I’m going to do is around Aiden.”
Scholes explained that he and his former wife, Claire, share responsibility for Aiden’s care — each taking three nights a week — while Claire’s mother helps on Fridays. “We always do the same things with him,” he said. “He won’t know what day of the week it is or what time it is, but he knows from what we’re doing what day it is.”
The former midfielder, who won 11 Premier League titles with Manchester United, said that his commitments to live football broadcasts — particularly on Thursday nights — had become increasingly difficult as they disrupted Aiden’s routine. His last punditry appearance came during last season’s Europa League final between United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Scholes reflected on the strain that Aiden’s condition placed on his football career after his son’s diagnosis at two and a half years old. He recalled turning up to United training sessions with scratches and bite marks, evidence of Aiden’s frustration and inability to communicate.
“It was very hard in those days,” Scholes said. “I never got a break from it. I remember when he was first diagnosed — I was playing Derby away and I just didn’t want to be there. I hadn’t told anyone. It was really tough.”
Keane noted during the discussion that dressing rooms often contained players dealing with private challenges unknown to teammates or staff. Scholes said he rarely opened up at the time, feeling that talking about it “wasn’t going to help Aiden.”
Now aged 20, Aiden attends daycare for four hours a day. Scholes and Claire also have two other children who do not have the condition.
Although stepping back from regular punditry, Scholes will continue limited studio work and record The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast with former teammate Nicky Butt and TV personality Paddy McGuinness, who also has children with autism.
“Everything I’m going to do now just works around him,” Scholes said. “Last season on Thursday nights I’d do the Europa League for United — that’s the night I usually have him, and he’d get agitated because he knew the pattern wasn’t there. I’d been thinking for years I’d have to stop this at some point.”
Scholes also shared emotional moments from his parenting journey, including a distressing period when Aiden suffered months of undiagnosed dental pain. “He can’t tell you what pain he’s in,” Scholes said. “Imagine having toothache for nine months.”
Despite the challenges, Scholes described his son as a source of “great pleasure and joy” and said he would continue sharing parts of their story online to support other parents of autistic children.
“It’s f—— hard, especially when they’re young,” he admitted. “But I want to show the good moments too, because there are so many.”
Paul Scholes is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He spent his entire professional career at Manchester United, making over 700 appearances and scoring over 150 goals for the club. Known for his precise passing, vision, and exceptional ability to score from long range, Scholes was a key figure in Sir Alex Ferguson’s dominant United side.
During his time at the club, he won 11 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 2 UEFA Champions League trophies, Numerous other domestic and international honours.
Scholes was also capped 66 times for England, scoring 14 goals, and was celebrated for his intelligence on the pitch, tireless work ethic, and loyalty to Manchester United, where he spent more than two decades.
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