I, like all Manchester United fans, have had the pleasure to watch some of the best players ever to play the beautiful game grace the theatre of dreams on a week in week out basis. The players I have chosen here have fully embraced the club’s ethos and have epitomised what it means to be a United legend. Which there have been many making the task of picking this team so difficult. I decided to go with an attacking 3-4-3 formation, while adhering to the attacking football that has been a custom of all great United sides it also made it far easier to fit in some great United players that were just too good to leave out.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
This was such a tough decision between Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar but the great Dane just edges it for me. Gifted with incredible athletic ability for a goalkeeper allowing him to make so many different, spectacular saves. Whatever the situation Schmeichel was up for the task – and then some. The Danish goalkeeper often walked a fine line between aggressive and reckless, charging out in one on one situations and claiming crosses that he had no right to go and get all with his unpredictable and unconventional style, breaking all the rules of proper technique taught to goalkeepers.
If you want proof this is the right decision all you have to do is look at Peter Schmeichel’s medal cabinet. Playing for Manchester United from 1991-1999 in his eight years under Sir Alex Ferguson, Schmeichel won the Premier League five times, the FA Cup three times, and wore the captain’s armband as he lifted the Champions League trophy in his final game for Manchester United in 1999, completing the club’s famous treble-winning season. During that time, he also managed to pick up the European Championship winning with an unexpected Denmark in 1992. The great Dane with his iconic red nose is undoubtedly a United legend.
If you’re still not convinced take a look at some of Schmeichel’s greatest saves in a United shirt
Sweeper: Rio Ferdinand
£30 million is not normally considered a bargain for a centre-back, but ask the United faithul and thats what they will call the fee paid for Rio Ferdinand. Pacy and as comfortable with the ball at his feet as he was defending the six-yard box Rio would show the opposing striker which way to go before calmly stealing the ball of his toes. Accumulating six Premier League titles, 3 League Cups, a Champions League medal and one FIFA Club World Cup, Ferdinand was a fan favourite and will forever go down as United Rolls Royce of centre backs.
Centre-Back: Nemanja Vidic
The other half of the greatest Premier League centre-back partnership, Vidic is the template of a tough tackling, no nonsense defender that bullied the opposition attackers, often putting his own body on the line. Sir Alex said that he built all his title winning teams on a strong defence and Vida, having been one of the best centre-backs in the world, for me would be the centrepiece in every single one. The only defender to win the Premier League player of the Season twice, the former United captain may have had a difficult time since leaving Manchester but his achievements for the club will have him down as one of United’s and the world’s greatest defenders.
Centre-Back: Jaap Stam
This was the toughest decision I had while choosing the United back line, honourable mentions must go to Duncan Edwards and Gary Neville both I seriously considered including but due to the formation just missed out. The man who inevitably got the job is big Jaap Stam. A mixture of Vidic’s body on the line tough tackling and Rio’s luxury continental style, I thought the 6″3 Dutch defender would best complete the back three. The fact that Fergie considered selling Stam at the age of 29 for £16.5 million one of the biggest mistakes of his managerial career highlights his ability as a world class defender.
Centre-Midfield: Paul Scholes
When asked what it felt like to be the best midfielder in the world Zinedine Zidane simply answered with: “ask Paul Scholes”. Given the nickname Sat-Nav due to his Pinpoint passing, along with his tough (sometimes questionable) tackling and a rocket-like shot, that I was once lucky enough to witness in person with this goal he scored against against the New York Cosmos during his testimonial. The Greatest English player of his generation, Scholesy embodies everything that is Manchester United. His loyalty to the club was unquestionable – he didnt even have an agent – and when United were handed a blank cheque by Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti, Scholes reply was short and simple- ” “If you want me to play for you, you would have to buy this club.”
11 Premier Leagues, 3 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 2 Champions Leagues, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup says it all – a true United Legend.
Centre-Midfield: Sir Bobby Charlton
United’s all-time leading goal scorer, Busby babe, Ballon D’or winner, 1/3 of the “United Trinity” and now a director at the club, Sir Bobby was the original United Legend. Renowned for his ferocious shot, with most of his 249 goals for the club coming from midfield, Charlton could thump those old heavy leather balls from 30 yards with either foot into the back of the net with ease. The cornerstone of Sir Matt Busby’s rebuilding after the Munich Air disaster in 1958 at the age of just 20, Charlton led United to countless trophies which included scoring two goals against Benfica in a 4-1 win to bring United their first ever European Cup trophy. He was also an integral part of Englands world cup winning side 2 years earlier, Sir Bobby Is an England and United legend and was always going to feature for this side.
Right Winger : George Best
A man that truly lived up to his name – George Best was called the greatest player in the world by none other than Pele himself – renowned for his unbelievable skill running with the ball at his feet the Belfast boy’s sheer audacity with the ball had never been seen before in the English game, he just seemed to just float past opposition defenders. Making his debut at the age of just 17 George Best was a key player for Manchester United for over 10 years, in that time he scored countless solo goals and was an integral part of the famed United Trinity of Best, Charlton and Law that brought so much success to the club. Due to off the field problems Best’s legacy as a United great has been somewhat tarnished, but on raw natural ability alone, George Best has to be included in this all-time United XI.
Left Winger: Ryan Giggs
The most successful player in Manchester United’s history, 963 appearences, 168 goals, 25 trophies all spanning 24 years Ryan Giggs is arguably United’s greatest ever player. A home grown product of the class of ’92 Giggsy was ever present in United’s most succesfful spell under the stewardship of Sir Alex, tearing down the left wing of Old Trafford before moving into the centre of the park as he reached 40 years of age, it is unlikely that we will ever see a player of the ilk of Ryan Giggs ever again. Taking up the role of interim manager after the dismissal of David Moyes Giggsy is the example of a United great and surely it is only a matter of time before we see him in charge of the club on a full time basis.
Right Forward: Eric Cantona
Nicknamed King Eric by United fans, the enigmatic frenchmen is one of the most iconic and pivotal players that have ever played for the club in the past 25 years. Cantona’s signing from Leeds United in 1992 for just 1.2 million kickstarted Uniteds most successful period ever. Fantastic technical skill, a dominating presence and an eye for a spectacular goal, a leader on and off the pitch. Banned for 8 months due to his infamous Karate kick on a Crystal Palace fan, Cantona missed a lot of matches which could have seen him add to his 82 goals for the club. Yet what Cantona did produce in his time at United saw him become a club legend and is enough for him to get into my all time XI.
Left Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United most recent iconic number 7, Cristiano had a miraculous journey at the club. Arriving as a skinny 18 year old from Sporting CP, he turned into arguably the best player in the world. A complete forward Ronaldo has pace, power, excellent finishing, quick feet and bags of tricks that made him adoured by Manchester United fans. During his six years at the club Ronaldo amassed 3 Premier Leaue titles, 2 League Cups, 1 FA Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup as well as 182 goals and earning a Ballon d’Or in the process. Since leaving United for a then World record fee, Ronaldo has gone on to further sucess while battling it out against his nemesis and rival to be the worlds best, Lionel Messi cementing himself as a legend of the game. Sir Alex Ferguson called him the most gifted player he had ever managed and that is why Ronaldo has to make this team.
Striker: Ruud van Nistelrooy
Manchester United’s most prolific striker in the premier league era, Ruud’s goal ratio for United is unmatched, scoring 150 goal in just 219 games the Dutchman had a ratio of 0.68 goals a game during his five year spell at the club. The best finisher the Premier league has ever seen van Nistelrooy was the last of the great goal poachers, a true number 9 which is evident that in his whole 5 years at united he only scored one goal outside the box. What makes his goalscoring tally so impressive is the fact that he did it in such an average united team, from 2001-2006 United were a team in transition and even then, as the teams star man he still managed to drag the team to one Premier League title, an FA Cup and two League Cups. I still remember the crowds bellow of Ruud!!! when he scored against Debrencen in a champions League qualifier at my first ever United game. This man guarenteed any side goals and that is the reason why he completes my all time United XI.
Oh and who could forget this goal against Fulham?
