Fergie's best XI

Bodhidharma

Its been pretty topical, lot of pundits earning their millions. So what do you think is Fergie's best XI of the past 25 years? Here's mine

Schmeichel
Irwin Bruce Stam Neville
Giggs Keane Scholes Ronaldo
Hughes Cantona

Subs: Van Der Saar, Pallister, Robson, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney

theoneeyedman

Bodhidharma wrote: »

Its been pretty topical, lot of pundits earning their millions. So what do you think is Fergie's best XI of the past 25 years? Here's mine

Schmeichel
Irwin Bruce Stam Neville
Giggs Keane Scholes Ronaldo
Hughes Cantona

Subs: Van Der Saar, Pallister, Robson, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney

Off the top of my head ......

Taibi
Blanc, Evans,Brown,
Veron ,Tosic, Obertan,carrick
Forlan Berbatov,Owen

Subs bosnic, marceda

Carcharodon

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Off the top of my head ......

Taibi
Blanc, Evans,Brown,
Veron ,Tosic, Obertan,carrick
Forlan Berbatov,Owen

Subs bosnic, marceda

So witty :rolleyes: Thread goes off rails after one post.

_blank_

You forgot Prunier, also, who the fúck is "marceda"?

Hank Scorpio

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Off the top of my head ......

Taibi
Blanc, Evans,Brown,
Veron ,Tosic, Obertan,carrick
Forlan Berbatov,Owen

Subs bosnic, marceda

How can Brown be on that team, he was immense for united, especially that semi final vs Barcelona

_blank_

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Great Dane
Red Nev---Dolly---Rio----Dinny
Ronaldo---Keano--Ginger Prince---Giggo

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LeDieu

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White Pele

Turtyturd

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Off the top of my head ......

Taibi
Blanc, Evans,Brown,
Veron ,Tosic, Obertan,carrick
Forlan Berbatov,Owen

Subs bosnic, marceda

Djemba Djemba and Kleberson at least deserve a place on the bench...Bebe in the starting line up. Thread probably deserves a place in the United super thread.

_blank_

nuxxx wrote: »

How can Brown be on that team, he was immense for united, especially that semi final vs Barcelona

Because jealous opposition fans are bitter about success, and so pick on ginger kids to make themselves feel better

gustavo

Schmeichel
Neville Stam Vidic Irwin
Ronaldo Keane Scholes Giggs
Van Nistelrooy Rooney

_blank_

gustavo wrote: »

Schmeichel
Neville Stam Vidic Irwin
Ronaldo Keane Scholes Giggs
Van Nistelrooy Rooney

No Cantona, gtfo tbh

Carcharodon

Schmeichel
Irwin Bruce Pallister Neville
Giggs Keane Scholes Ronaldo
Rooney Van Nistelrooy

Subs: Van Der Saar, Ferdinand, Robson, Cantona, Hughes

I think midfield will be pretty much set in stone and backlines will be similar enough too.

_blank_

Lots of people are reversing the full backs and wingers, what's that about?

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GK
RB--CH--CH--LB
RW--CM--CM--LW

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FW---FW

No?

Blatter

Rooney ahead of Cantona anyway, and I don't think it's particularly close.

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Schmeichel

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Neville

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Ferdinand

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Vidic

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Irwin

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Keane

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Robson

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Ronaldo

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Scholes

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Giggs

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Rooney

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Rooney gets the nod up front from me.

I Couldn't leave out any of Robson, Keane or Scholes.

Giggs and Ronaldo are obvious ones, as are Irwin and Gary Neville.

Any of Stam, Pallister, Bruce, Ferdinand or Vidic are worthy of the two centre back positions but went for Rio and Vidic as I think they were the best partnership we've had under Fergie.

It's close between Schmeichel and VDS but I will give it to Schmeichel.

_blank_

This should be a tribute to Ferguson thread, instead of just a Best XI, because that's pretty much impossible to pick.

Anyway

I'll just leave this here, one of the best "Fergie Moments"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4cpOpvoWgM

Vanbis

^^^ I love how Phelan tries to keep a straight face .^^^

Schmeichel

G. Neville-Rio Ferdinand - Vidic - Irwin.

Beckham-Keane-Scholes-Giggs

Rooney - Van Nielstrooy.

overshoot

Blatter wrote: »

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Schmeichel

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Neville

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Ferdinand

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Vidic

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Irwin

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Keane

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Robson

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Ronaldo

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Scholes

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Giggs

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Rooney

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would have to agree with this, my bench would have to include Solskjaer, was there anyone better to spring from it?

lordgoat

Blatter wrote: »

Rooney ahead of Cantona anyway, and I don't think it's particularly close.

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Schmeichel

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Neville

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Ferdinand

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Vidic

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Irwin

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Keane

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Robson

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Ronaldo

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Scholes

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Giggs

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Rooney

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Rooney gets the nod up front from me.

I Couldn't leave out any of Robson, Keane or Scholes.

Giggs and Ronaldo are obvious ones, as are Irwin and Gary Neville.

Any of Stam, Pallister, Bruce, Ferdinand or Vidic are worthy of the two centre back positions but went for Rio and Vidic as I think they were the best partnership we've had under Fergie.

It's close between Schmeichel and VDS but I will give it to Schmeichel.

No need for Keane And Robbo imo.


VDS
G-Nev Johnsen Stam Irwin

Ronaldo Scholes Keane/Robson Giggs
Cantona
Rooney

Keane or Robson and a really tough call.

too many to pick a bench But Ole is def there.

ForeverYoung90

On the Keane/Robson debate Id wonder how this thread would go down on a uk version of this thread?Def Keano for me though!

wonderboysam

yorke + cole upfront

bing bong bash! goals galore :pac:





nice guys to boot

redzerdrog

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schmeichel

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neville

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bruce--vidic

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irwin

ronaldo---robson--scholes--giggs

----van nistlerooy--hughes

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although undecided between between hughes and rooney

redzerdrog

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

On the Keane/Robson debate Id wonder how this thread would go down on a uk version of this thread?Def Keano for me though!

id say the majority would have robson tbh

eagle eye

Blatter wrote: »

Rooney ahead of Cantona anyway, and I don't think it's particularly close.

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Schmeichel

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Neville

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Ferdinand

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Vidic

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Irwin

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Keane

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Robson

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Ronaldo

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Scholes

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Giggs

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Rooney

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Good team and Robson has to be in it imo. I'd have a few changes but not many.

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Schmeichel

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Irwin

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Stam

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Vidic

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Evra

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Keane

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Robson

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Ronaldo

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Cantona

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Giggs

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Rooney

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Subs: VDV, Ferdinand, Bruce, Scholes, Beckham, Hughes, Van Nistelrooy.

theoneeyedman

Des wrote: »

nuxxx wrote: »

How can Brown be on that team, he was immense for united, especially that semi final vs Barcelona

Because jealous opposition fans are bitter about success, and so pick on ginger kids to make themselves feel better

Post was somewhat tongue in cheek, but please don't try to tell me Where's Browne is or ever was anything other than a very average player who happened to be somewhat lucky to be at united during a succesful period.
Forgot that other great defender David May ......

Hulk Hands

redzerdrog wrote: »

id say the majority would have robson tbh

Nah, ive seen it numerous times on redcafe. Keane wins but a few diehard older fans swear by robson.

A few points...stam isnt good enough, vidic is a cert. Beside him is either pallister or Rio. Irwin at Rb and Evra left would be best. The 99 midfield including becks with rooney and ronaldo up top. That's the best side although it might seem out of position

Son Of A Vidic

Christ where do you start? So many great players have played for united during SAF's reign. I find it nearly impossible to pick an 11, because you'd have to leave so many deserving players out.

JokerD

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3912879/Alex-Ferguson-news-Fergies-greatest-Manchester-United-XI.html

stovelid

Schmichael

G Neville McGrath Vidic Irwin
Ronaldo Keane Scholes Giggs
Cantona Hughes

Subs:

Robson
Moses
Whiteside
Bruce
Kanchelskkis

Very little between Keane and Robson (who I saw play). Robson's career as stellar as it was was overshadowed by injury unfortunately.

stovelid

Des wrote: »

Dolly

stovelid

stovelid wrote: »

Schmichael

G Neville McGrath Vidic Irwin
Ronaldo Keane Scholes Giggs
Cantona Hughes

Subs:

Robson
Moses
Whiteside
Bruce
Kanchelskkis

Very little between Keane and Robson (who I saw play). Robson's career as stellar as it was was overshadowed by injury unfortunately.

No Rooney in the squad?

shadowcomplex

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vds

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-G Neville- Vidic-Stam-Irwin

Ronaldo-Keane-Scholes-Giggs

---Rooney---Larsson---

Blatter

Ah yes.

Henrik Larsson and his 3 goals in 13 appearances is clearly worth a place.

stovelid

rarnes1 wrote: »

No Rooney in the squad?

Sparky snuck in on admittedly irrational teenage hero rule.

shadowcomplex

Blatter wrote: »

Ah yes.

Henrik Larsson and his 3 goals in 13 appearances is clearly worth a place.

threads like this are pointless really but im basing it on his whole career,you can base it on his time at utd, it doesnt really matter, the fact he played for utd makes him eligible

Blatter

shadowcomplex wrote: »

well im basing it on his whole career, the fact he played for utd makes him eligible

Oh God you actually were being serious.

Dunphy wouldn't even go this far.

shadowcomplex

Blatter wrote: »

Oh God you actually were being serious.

Dunphy wouldn't even go this far.

WHOLE CAREER

Xavi6

Schmeichel

Neville
Bruce
Vidic
Evra

Ronaldo
Keane
Scholes
Giggs

Van Nistelrooy
Rooney

Subs: Van der Sar, Ferdinand, Irwin, Robson, Hughes, Cole, Solskjaer.

And no I haven't forgotten about Cantona.

Xavi6

Schmeichel

Neville
Bruce
Vidic
Evra

Ronaldo
Keane
Scholes
Giggs

Van Nistelrooy
Rooney

Subs: Van der Sar, Ferdinand, Irwin, Robson, Hughes, Cole, Solskjaer.

And no I haven't forgotten about Cantona.

EDIT: But I did forget Becks, dammit.

whatawaster

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Schmeichel

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Neville

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Vidic

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Bruce

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Irwin

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Keane

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Scholes

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Ronaldo

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Giggs

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Rooney----Van Nistelrooy

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Subs: Van der Saar, Evra, Ferdinand, Robson, Beckham, Solskjaer, Hughes

lordgoat

Xavi6 wrote: »

Schmeichel

Neville
Bruce
Vidic
Evra

Ronaldo
Keane
Scholes
Giggs

Van Nistelrooy
Rooney

Subs: Van der Sar, Ferdinand, Irwin, Robson, Hughes, Cole, Solskjaer.

And no I haven't forgotten about Cantona.

Xavi6 wrote: »

Schmeichel

Neville
Bruce
Vidic
Evra

Ronaldo
Keane
Scholes
Giggs

Van Nistelrooy
Rooney

Subs: Van der Sar, Ferdinand, Irwin, Robson, Hughes, Cole, Solskjaer.

And no I haven't forgotten about Cantona.

EDIT: But I did forget Becks, dammit.

You forgot about him twice.

Blatter

Evra v Irwin is an interesting one.

The Evra of 07-09/10 was probably better than Irwin ever was, but not by much.

Irwin was solidly consistent at a high level for 10 years, that's why I gave it to him.

Morzadec

whatawaster wrote: »

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Schmeichel

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Neville

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Vidic

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Bruce

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Irwin

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Keane

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Scholes

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Ronaldo

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Giggs

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Rooney----Van Nistelrooy

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Subs: Van der Saar, Evra, Ferdinand, Robson, Beckham, Solskjaer, Hughes

I'd probably agree with this. Don't remember Bruce all that well so might go for Ferdinand instead.

One thing that can't be debated imo is the midfield. I really can't see any argument for leaving out Giggs, Ronaldo, Scholes or Keane. All of them arguably the best in their respective positions in the Premier League era

stovelid

Morzadec wrote: »

IDon't remember Bruce all that well so might go for Ferdinand instead.

Bruce was the type of player that quietly made the Ferdinands of the game look good with the minimum of fuss.

kryogen

wouldnt argue too much with the one sky had up

Schmeichel
Nev Stam Vida Irwin
Ronaldo Keane Scholes Giggs
Cantona Van Nistlerooy

Subs: VDS Rio Bruce/Pally(tough one) Becks Robson Ole Rooney

Jesus that would be some team in their prime!

Blatter

Morzadec wrote: »

One thing that can't be debated imo is the midfield. I really can't see any argument for leaving out Giggs, Ronaldo, Scholes or Keane. All of them arguably the best in their respective positions in the Premier League era

An awful lot would claim there is no argument for leaving Robson out, who is meant to have been as good as Keane in his prime.

I'm too young to have seem Robson in his prime, but from what I gather from people that have, he was a better player technically than Keane, as well as being an unbelievable leader and inspiration on the pitch.

Apparently it's an unbelievably close call, that's why I put both in along with Scholes.

kryogen

Robson was a warrior a true great of the game, if my love for Keane wasnt so strong I would have to consider swapping the two, however it would be more likely that I would put Robson in instead of Scholes if push came to shove

The other strong point for the Keane/Scholes combination is how well they played together and how much success they enjoyed as a partnership

Nalz

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SCHMEICHEL

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--NEVILLE G

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STAM

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VIDIC

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IRWIN---

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KEANE

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ROBSON

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--RONALDO

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GIGGS---

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HUGHES

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CANTONA

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Subs: Van Der Saar, Bruce, Evra, Scholes, Beckham, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney.

Evra was never better than Irwin imo

Giruilla

O'shea
Parker, Johnson, Blanc, Silvestre,
Cruff, Anderson, Carrick, Olsen,
Saha, Forlan

DoctorEdgeWild

Based purely on the players time with United under Ferguson.

Goalkeeper - Peter Schmeichel. Van der Sar was definitely a deserving second place but Schmeichel has a legitimate claim to be the greatest goalkeeper ever to play the game. His performances for United were at times incredible and his consistency was second to none. Amazing goalkeeper and the void he left took a long time to fill.

Right back - Gary Neville. Incredibly consistent performer. In his prime, which lasted a long time, he had all the attributes a world class defender should have. Particularly skilled in tackling and positioning, he is a contender for his position in any greatest United XI. Arguably stayed playing too long but Ferguson had faith in him and that's good enough for me.

Centre Back - Steve Bruce. United have a long list of top quality centre backs throughout their history but Steve Bruce was the greatest of them all during Ferguson's time in my opinion. Seemingly fearless defender who was more skilled than history seems to remember him. A part of the greatest centre back pairing of the Premiership era in my opinion.

Centre Back - Gary Pallister. I remember watching Pallister play when I was younger, I was an untalented aspiring centre back, and his movement and reading of the game was second to none. Incredibly solid performer for Ferguson. A prototype Rio without the injuries, off pitch distractions and concentration errors.

Left Back - Denis Irwin. A contender for most consistent performer in any position under Ferguson. Irwin was a classic defender, tough tackling, relatively pacey and a great marker. He was also a huge advantage going forward and gave the many talented wingers he played with during his time at United a massive opportunity to create.

Right Wing - Cristiano Ronaldo. Close call between him and David Beckham but I choose Ronaldo. Another great example of an 'unfinished' player coming to United under Ferguson and realising their incredible potential. He did things on a football pitch which seemed magical to me at least. Regret never having seen him play in person.

Central Midfield - Roy Keane. Tireless work horse for United in his time under Ferguson. Developed hugely as a footballer at the club, having been signed in a record deal as somewhat of an attacking force. Changed his game under Ferguson and his incredible fitness, heart, desire and ultimately his simplicity of play ie doing the very basics flawlessly, makes him the choice for me over Bryan Robson in this position.

Centre Midfield - Paul Scholes. Almost universally admired in the footballing world, an achievement in itself given the passionate nature of feelings against United from some. Scholes is one of the most talented English players of all time. His range of passing and shooting were his standout attributes but his work ethic was perhaps what makes him one of the greatest ever to wear the United shirt. His testimonial this year was a joy to watch as he could have been playing any match from the last ten years, such was his consistency as a player.

Left Wing - Ryan Giggs. For me, one of the only automatic choices for a Premiership XI. Another example of how United develop players, something I hope continues in the current squad. Giggs' importance to the team was never more obvious during last season's campaign when United suffered from occasional dips in form. Despite his advancing years, Giggs was an absolute standout performer and his goals, passing, calmness in possession and footballing instinct has been an instrumental block in building the success of Ferguson's teams.

Forward - Ruud van Nistelrooy. His goal scoring record is incredible. His finishing second to none. His overall contribution to Ferguson's success just VERY narrowly edges out Cole and Hughes. In my opinion, his greatest skill was in his holding of possession while under pressure. United under Ferguson excelled in a counter attacking style of football and with Van Nistelrooy spearheading the attack, I can't remember a time when they looked more dangerous. Supremely talented footballer.

Forward - Eric Cantona. The jewel in Ferguson's crown and all that other blustering hyperbole. Cantona was the most mesmerising player I`ve ever watched. Incredibly creative on a field of play, he could create as well as score, a perfect player for Ferguson's youth to learn from. A truly one of a kind player, Cantona is a major part of the Ferguson era at United and without him, the Premiership would have been a much less magical place these last (almost) 20 years.

jesus_thats_gre

nuxxx wrote: »

How can Brown be on that team, he was immense for united, especially that semi final vs Barcelona

His time at United shouldn't be viewed in the the negative but his time there really shouldn't be referred to as "immense" either..

homerjay2005

its an easy 11 to pick for me, its got to be this 11 -

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Schmeichel

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Neville

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Rio

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Vidic

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Irwin.

Ronaldo

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Scholes

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Keane

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Giggs

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Rooney

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Cantona

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Subs if we were talking about next in line - VDS, Stam, Evra, Robson, Beckham, Ole, RVN.

i think without question, thats the best 18 players of the last 25 years right there. and im lucky enough to say ive seen 15 of them play live, and 8 of them scoring goals. the ones i didnt get to see live were Cantona, Irwin and Robson.

Xavi6

Ferguson picks his 25 year United team:

Durkin, Dean, Riley, Stiles, Wiley, Clattenburg, Atwell, Webb (c), Atkinson, Dowd, Winter.