The Reds star has been in electrifying form so far this season, proving exactly why Fabio Capello wanted him in his England squad in South Africa.
Scholes rejected the option of a retirement U-turn, chiefly because Capello, who made contact through his trusted right-hand man Franco Baldini, only gave the 35-year-old a couple of hours to make up his mind.
England's lack of creativity was obvious this summer and Scholes could have made a major difference to the Three Lions' performances.
Scholes is not the kind of character to dwell on such events but, as he looks back now, he admits despite the time he would have been forced to spend away from home, he made a mistake by turning his back on the Three Lions, having initially retired in the wake of Euro 2004.
"I wish I had gone," he told Football Focus.
"I did feel as though I had made the wrong decision.
"I had only been given a couple hours, so it was a bit of a rush job, but the World Cup is the biggest tournament you can be involved in.
"There was a touch of regret but it doesn't matter now. It has gone."
Scholes' admission will not make Capello feel any easier as the build-up begins to next month's Euro 2012 double-header against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
England's poor showing in South Africa has turned the heat up on the previously highly-regarded Italian, who realises the failure to start the quest to reach the finals in Poland and Ukraine will bring even greater pressure.
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Only one thing will assuage the regret - a quadruple!
This article answers the question from one of your previous articles. Was Scholes (a great premiership player) as good as Zidane (a great player in many countries and a man who led his country to a world cup final)?.
umm now let me think!!
I'm glad he didn't go, might of ruined him for this season with United! Club before Country!
I can only have sympathy for Scholes.
The Italian managerial colossus is so perceptive and well organised that he gets a sidekick to give Paul a couple of hours notice to reverse a decision of years standing.
He'd had 2 years of qualifying fixtures and friendlies to work out that his overhyped team was lacking, but approached the player, who had never kicked a ball for him, at the very last minute.
What a way to run the national team. He definitely has City quality about him and I am sure he will be top of the list when Mancini is shuffled out the door this season.
That would be good news all round.
One thing for sure is nobody in england can spray the ball around like scholesy ,england would not have gone out so early if he had been there
As good as you are Scholesy England are on their backsides and wouldn't have progressed much further at all.
Stay at home son and lift that Champions league trophy but not before Chelsea's scalps have been taken !
...though we're quite pleased he didn't, aren't we?
Scholsey you would have ended up with the same villification as the rest of the team which
in my humble oppinion is ALL DOWN TO TNE MANAGER. But what do I know? I have only followed football ( and the worlds best team,ever and ever and ever,stop now ) for 50 years.And for players such as our England team, I always believe their love of the game would not produce what we saw in the world cup,I believe it is down to manegerial inadaquecy ( I dont doubt I spelt it wrong ).We will always be a joke ,not hard to do,until we get a british manager,or Irish,`cmon Martin. Stop knocking the players,thats their job.
Fergie,Shanks,I dont believe in cloning but if I did.......Get off the players backs,and behind them.
Sorry Scholesy,in the post I just done I forgot to say, IN MY TIME OF MANCHESTER UNITED from me first game in `56 when me dad put a city scarf on me and I cant remember who city were playing but they got beat and me uncle albert who was a red gave me his RED AND WHITE scarf and the rest is HISTORY.
well he did have a chance,and now after the tournament he says he regretts not playing.wtf.
Its a shame he didnt go lampard isnt fit to lace scholesy's boots, if he had not retired when he did he would be finished we are reaping the rewards no he gets better with age!!
You are too good for England Paul !!!
old news
yeh so do we scholesy.but would you have been in the form your in now.
Wouldnt of made a bit of difference it takes more than 1 player to make it happen. Lets see if Scholes can do it against teams like Chelsea who will close him down quicker.
BECAUSE WE WERE CRAP I PRESUME, WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH.
Scholes was better of not getting dragged into that debacle.
Idiot
the England team and its fans dont deserve you anyway Scholesy.
this is an old story from 3 weeks ago - if there's no news from old trafford then do'nt print anything - it will be hargreaves stories soon zzzzzzzz
Oh boy!..............Another slow news day!
Should have gone paul. Your boy giving you stick about not going!. Make it up to him go to the euro's 2012. show the world there are english players who can play football.
im a city fan and i wish he had gone at least we would have had someone who gave their all and can pass a ball more than 10 yds.
didn't think this was a new story. however, i'm not overly bothered about his missed england excursions. his good early season form probably lies in the fact that he didn't get involved with the world cup. i'm very happy to see him performing so well and long may it continue. when he needs a rest i would like to see some more of cleverly as he seems to have something and anderson who has a lot to offer (regardless of some negative comments on this site), but i'm happy for scholesy to run the midfield for the next year or so. the guy has been as good as anyone in his position over the past 15 years and i'm delighted to have witnessed such talent in a Utd shirt. i'm continually amazed by those players who have stayed with the club their entire careers. what a great testament to their professionalism and to the efforts from the manager and coaches. let's not underestimate the good work that goes on at our great club.
Did somebody ask him this question again?
I understand, there's not much other news about at the moment.