Sir Alex’s Best XI At United

Sunday of course marked Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25 years in charge of Manchester United. During that time Old Trafford has seen countless amounts of fantastic players showcase their talents for the club with many of them providing moments of magic that will live on forever.

With that in mind, just like every other football-related website has been doing over the last couple of days, I thought it’d be good to jot down a line-up of players who would make up the best possible line-up in Sir Alex’s time at the club.

Marvel at this line-up:

                               Peter Schmeichel,

 Gary Neville, Steve Bruce, Nemanja Vidic, Denis Irwin,

Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs,

                    Wayne Rooney, Eric Cantona

Subs:  Edwin Van der Sar, Jaap Stam, Phil Neville, David Beckham,                                                       Ruud Van Nistelrooy, John O’Shea, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Now that’s quite a formidable team. The Big Dane in goal picks himself and as great as a keeper Edwin Van der Sar was, he never quite had the physical presence that Schmieck’s had, though that’s not to say the big Dutchman was a bad keeper as he was brilliant for us.

The defence is a mixture of eras at the club. Bruce was part of the Bryan Robson side as was Irwin for a brief period. Both players made up the core of the side spearheaded by Cantona. I had orgingally selected Patrice Evra for this position but changed my mind due to the Irishman being the better ‘defensive’ player. United’s current skipper Vidic just got the nod ahead of Stam to partner the brave Bruce in the middle of the defence with the recently retired Gary Neville slotting in at right back.

The midfield as you’re see has an embarrassment of riches. Roy Keane and Paul Scholes make up the middile of the park giving the side bite and creativity right where it matters. Pace and trickery are the two words that would sum up the wings with Ronaldo and Giggs, who are capable of scoring goals as well as creating plenty of goals themselves. They are both able to switch flanks and cause defences more nightmares.

Up top there were many names to choose from and perhaps it’s a bit harsh that Mark Hughes didn’t even make the bench, but it’s hard to look past the importance of Cantona during his time at the club as his impact and professionalism at the club helped rub of on the whole squad and the whole club. The Frenchman is partnered by Rooney up top in a fantasy pairing that would have been breathtaking to witness.

The bench isn’t bad either. Aside from the goal-machine that’s Solskjaer I decided to select two ‘unsung’ heroes of Sir Alex’s time at the club in Phil Neville and John O’Shea. Both players bring experience and versatility and every great side needs players of their undoubted adaptability to succeed.

Whilst discussing this upcoming article on Twitter the other day, one of our followers – a Finnish United fan – @stiuge decided to give this line-up of his own, in reponse to the team mentioned above:

                            Peter Schmeichel,

  Gary Neville, Jaap Stam, Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin,

Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Bryan Robson, Ryan Giggs,

                    Ruud van Nistelrooy, Eric Cantona

Subs:  Edwin Van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Phil Neville, Roy Keane,                                                          Brian McClair,  Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Wayne Rooney

I think it’s fair to say that that’s not a bad team either.

Brian McClair, United’s current Youth Academy Director was one of Sir Alex’s most important signings, joining the club in the summer of 1987 ahead of the Scot’s first full season in charge. Whilst being a forward in the early years of his time at the club, Choccy as he was known slotted back into midfield in his final 2-3 years and was a good performer when selected. At 47 years old, there’s no reason why he can’t become a successful manager in his ownright.

By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87