Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes announced his retirement from football yesterday, ending the trophy-laden career of a famously low-key player widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted of his generation.

The 36-year-old Scholes made 676 appearances for United after making his debut for the club in 1994 and was the midfield heartbeat of a team that has dominated English football for the past two decades.

Spain midfielder Xavi dubbed Scholes "the best central midfielder that I have seen," while France great Zinedine Zidane once branded him "almost untouchable."

"I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honor," said Scholes, who eschewed the celebrity lifestyle of many modern-day footballers and rarely gave interviews.

"This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing."

Scholes won 10 Premier League titles - and 24 trophies in total - with United, scoring 150 goals, but was no longer a regular choice in the first team by the end of the recently completed season, leading to growing speculation about his playing future. His last appearance for the northwest power was as a late substitute in Saturday's 1-3 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.

A fortnight earlier, he had helped United claim a record 19th English title, overhauling Liverpool as the country's most successful league team. He made 66 appearances for England before retiring from international football in 2004 to concentrate on his club career.

A one-club man, Scholes said he will stay at United by taking up a coaching role starting next season.

Starting out as a deep-lying forward, Scholes eventually dropped back into central midfield where his touch, technique and vision could be more effectively utilized. He never lost his eye for goal, though, and turned his late runs into the penalty box into an art form.

The only part of Scholes' armory that let him down was his tackling, which was often late and clumsy. He missed the dramatic win over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final through suspension but started in 2008 when United beat Chelsea on penalties to claim its third European Cup.