Paul Scholes’ wife Claire ‘has left their marital home as their marriage is in a crisis’ 

Footballer Paul Scholes’ wife has allegedly left their marital home amid claims their marriage is in a crisis.   

According to reports, the former Manchester United player, 45, and his wife are ‘devastated’ by the separation after 21 years together.

A source claimed to The Sun: ‘You have to feel for them as they both value family above everything else.’

Apart: Footballer Paul Scholes’ wife Claire has allegedly left their marital home amid claims their marriage is in a crisis (pictured in 2011)

They added that the turn of events came as a shock, they continued: ‘They’ve been together forever and nobody saw this coming.’

After leaving their marital home, Claire is said to be living 20 minutes down the road and is allegedly no longer wearing her wedding ring. 

MailOnline has contacted Paul’s representatives for comment. 

Claim: The former Manchester United player (pictured in 2019) and his wife are said to be ‘devastated’ by the separation after 21 years together

Paul and Claire met when they were aged 18 at his local pub in 1993, before wedding six years later.

The estranged pair share three children together, two sons Arron and Aiden, and daughter Alicia, 19, who has followed her father’s sporty footsteps as she is on the England Netball team.

The Salford City co-owner and Claire raised their children at their home in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, which they bought in 1998. 

Family: Paul and Claire met when they were 18 at his local pub in 1993 before wedding six years later, they share three children, sons Arron and Aiden, and daughter Alicia (pictured in 2012)

Paul spent his entire professional career playing for Manchester United, before he announced his retirement in 2011 and became a coach for the team.

However in 2012 he returned to playing one more season with the Premiere League team, before retiring once more in May 2013.

Paul enjoyed a successful stint with Manchester United, winning 11 Premiere League titles and 25 trophies in total, as well as two UEFA Champions League titles. 

Sportsman: Paul spent his professional career playing for Manchester United, he enjoyed a successful stint, winning 11 Premiere League titles and 25 trophies in total (pictured in 2006)