Paul Scholes has moved football fans in a new interview, with the Manchester United legend providing an unfiltered glimpse into his personal life and the care he provides for his autistic son, Aiden.
Aiden Scholes was born in December 2004. Two-and-a-half years later, he was diagnosed with 'severe autisim'. He's non-verbal, meaning the family have faced years of emotional challenges while providing him with the care and love he requires.
In a new interview, Scholes revealed how he's limited his work due to his son's strict structure.
"All the work I do now is just around his routines, 'cos he has quite a strict routine every single day, so I just decided everything I'm going to do, it is around Aiden," he said.
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Scholes then proceeded to reveal that he's split from wife Claire Froggatt.
He added: "We always do the same things with him as he doesn’t know what day of the week it is or time. But he’ll know from what we’re doing what day it is.
"I pick him up every Tuesday from his daycare and we go swimming. Loves swimming then we get his pizza on the way home. Thursday pick him up, go for something to eat, go home.
"Sunday, I pick him up from Claire’s house and we go to Tesco where he buys a trolley full of chocolate.
Paul Scholes is putting his son Aiden first with the Manchester United legend taking a step back from media duties
|"So, he doesn’t know what day or time it is, but he knows from what we’re doing what day it is. He’ll be 21 in December."
Scholes was keen to stress that he believes Aiden 'understands a lot more than we think', while also explaining how it was challenging for him during his football career.
The 50-year-old said: "When I say he can't speak, I think he understands a lot more than we think.
"He has sounds, but it's only people that are close to him that will know what he's saying.
Paul Scholes holding son Aiden after his Manchester United testimonial in 2011 | PA"I never got a break from it, even when playing. It was very hard in those days, feels like it was years ago.
"I don’t think (doctors) diagnosed it until they were two-and-a-half years old.
"But you knew early something was wrong but then you get the diagnosis, and I’d never heard of it. Then all of a sudden you start seeing everything, I don’t know if it just consciously happens, I don’t know.
"I remember the first time after we were playing Derby away and I just didn’t want to be there.
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Paul Scholes won 11 Premier League titles with Manchester United
| GBNEWS/GETTY/PA"I remember the manager dropped me the week after actually, and I hadn’t told anyone (about the diagnosis). I ended up telling them a few weeks later, I think as it was quite hard."
For Scholes, his son is his priority. Both the Manchester United legend and Claire continue to work together in order to give Aiden the best life possible.
The couple married in 1999 but had actually been together during their teenage years. They were previously described as 'childhood sweethearts'.
Their marriage was, expectedly, private. It was an intimate ceremony and, two years later, their first child came along.
Alicia Scholes was born in 2001 and has flourished in netball, while also gaining popularity on social media.
Arron Scholes, the couple's first child, was born in 1997 before Aiden came along seven years later.
All of his children were present in 2011 at Scholes' testimonial.
He had announced his retirement that year shortly after helping United win the Premier League title ahead of Chelsea.
Paul Scholes pictured with wife Claire back in 2015
|PA
However, he would return to the field in January - with his shock comeback taking place in a 3-2 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
With Scholes back on board, the Red Devils won another league title in 2013 - with the iconic midfielder stepping away from the sport afterwards.
He has worked in punditry and commentating in the time since but media appearances will be limited now, with the Red Devils legend keen to commit himself to Aiden and his needs.