Sky Sports can’t get enough of Paul Scholes at the moment, nor can most of the rest of the media. It’s hardly surprising given the Ginger Prince’s start to the season.

A sublime display to beat Chelsea in the Community Shield was followed up by teaching Newcastle United a lesson – one they learned very well it seems, with their 6-0 demolition of Aston Villa last weekend. Then, to top it off, his 150th goal for Manchester United scored against Fulham in the 2-2 draw on Sunday was, as is fitting, a Scholes classic, hit like a rocket from 25 yards or more.

That hasn’t stopped a few criticising the Scholes love-in however and, to be fair, it has been a bit over the top and none would be more embarrassed by it than him. But surely, after all these years, all these games he has graced with his skill, vision and talent, we can now heap some praise on the quiet man of Manchester United?

It’s not that his gifts haven’t been recognised over the years, but such is the nature of the man himself and even his style of play, he has always been more of an afterthought behind flashier, more spectacular players. Players like Cantona, Giggs, Beckham and Ronaldo. But it is Scholes that has helped those players reach those heights, operating in the centre and feeding them perfectly placed pass after perfectly placed pass.

In 2008/09 Ryan Giggs won the PFA Player of the Year award almost as recognition for his years of service rather than what he had achieved that season. This year, Scholes looks likely to do the same – at least according to Richard Keys anyway.

It wouldn’t be an injustice, but it is a little unfair on players who will, no doubt, play more than him, score more than him and possibly win more than him. Who would begrudge him the award really though, bar the usual cynics? Scholes is revered across football from within football and that is what counts, far more than any opinion of a journalist, pundit or fan.

Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest midefielders of all time, recently said that one big regret he has is not playing alongside Paul Scholes. Many managers and players have said he is the best central midfielder the Premier League has seen. He is, without exception, held in the highest regard by his peers. Even those who have experienced the one downside to his game…his tackling!

Except if you believe Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp, Scholes has no problem tackling. He is, in fact, a nasty little sod when the mood takes him and those ‘late challenges’ are calculated risks meant to perturb the opposition player and give Scholes the freedom he craves in the middle of the park.

It’s a theory I agree with, as it happens, but far from make me think less of him, it actually raises my opinion of him. Perhaps that shouldn’t be the case. Yet I can’t help but feel that that streak of wickedness is something of a throwback to a golden age of football, the Norman Hunter type of football. With Scholes it’s coupled with the aforementioned talent and skill of the modern game and that, for me, makes him a very special player indeed.

One club, 646 games, 150 goals (and counting), 18 major trophies, 35 years old and still going. Such is his form at the moment that Fabio Capello wants him to come out of international retirement, no doubt hoping Scholes will save his own career. With 66 caps and 14 goals he certainly could, but I don’t see that happening.

Point is, yes, the current love for Scholes is a little over the top and, as I said, will be a huge embarrassment for him, but in all honesty, we’re all just making up for the times he hasn’t got the recognition he has so richly deserved. It won’t last forever, probably not beyond August (unless he really does have another 20-goal, trophy-laden season), so for those of you NOT loving the love-in, just be quiet for a bit and let us enjoy the swansong season (maybe!) of a brilliant, brilliant player.

Love him or hate him, you WILL miss him when he’s gone.