Listening to a fantastic interview with Sir Alex Ferguson on Radio 5 Live recently, it prompted me to come up with what I feel is Sir Alex Ferguson's best ever eleven during his time at Manchester United.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel, 1991-1999, 292 appearances
Signed for just 530,000, Alex Ferguson once described him as the 'buy of the century' and I don't think that many will disagree with this statement. He is by far the best goalkeeper Man United have had in modern history and will go down as one of the greatest keepers to ever grace the game. His presence and influence in the penalty area is unrivalled and it took united 6 seasons to finally replace the big gloves that were left behind on his departure, surely there is no bigger compliment for a goalkeeper.
Defender Left: Denis Irwin, 1990-2002, 368 appearances, goals
Without doubt the most underrated defender to ever play in the modern game and the best right-footed left-back ever. Fantastic free-kicks and penalties which gained the club numerous points over the years. Ahead of his time for a Premier League full-back and was always a constant threat down the left with Ryan Giggs. He had creativity, composure and was scarily consistent. His performances against Europe's best in the treble winning season ensure his reputation as a Manchester United great.
Defender Right: Gary Neville, 1992-2011, 400 appearances, 5 goals
One word comes to mind for Gary Neville, reliable. He was without doubt one of United's most consistent performers for two decades at Old Trafford. In his prime he was always the first man on the team sheet for both club and country. Defensively sound, and never shyed away from his attacking duties, he was often further up the field than Beckham or Ronaldo and created numerous goals for the United forwards.
Defender Centre: Jaap Stam, 79 appearances, 1 goal
Beats Gary Pallister and Rio Ferdinand on the basis that Ferguson admits that allowing him to leave in 2001 was one of the few mistakes he has made at Old Trafford. Admittedly he was only at the club for three seasons, but won the title in each of those seasons, in addition to the Champions League in 1999. Strong in the tackle, excellent reader of the game and had the much needed natural pace.
Defender Centre: Nemanja Vidic, 2006-present, 167 appearances, 14 goals
Struggled when he first signed for the club but has gone on to be one of the worlds best defenders. He has the strength to match any opponent and is the talisman of the United defence. Any time he is not available United look very vulnerable to conceding goals.
Midfielder Right: Christiano Ronaldo, 2003-2009, 292 appearances, 182 goals
Quite simply one of the best, if not the best, player to ever play for Manchester United. Signed from Sporting after a pre-season friendly as a winger with a bit of pace, and nurtured into the Premier Leagues best player in 2009. Ronaldo improved as a player every year he was at the club which culminated in the 42 goals he scored in the 2007-2008 European double winning season. In total Ronaldo scored 182 goals in 292 appearances which is an incredible achievement especially for someone who is technically a winger. He is without doubt the most exciting player Ferguson has ever signed at Old Trafford and the Premier Leagues loss was definitely La Liga's gain. Beckham would be the obvious choice for many and his efforts at the club deserve mention. But Ronaldo was crowned the world's best player during his time at the club. Just edges it.
Midfielder Left: Ryan Giggs, 1991-present, 899 appearances, 162 goals
Legend. To have a career of 5 years at one club is becoming rare these days, to have a one club career spanning 21 years and counting is unheard of. But that is exactly what Ryan Giggs has got. An absolute phenomenon who has reinvented his game year after year to adapt to the modern game as he loses a yard of pace each season. However this has allowed him to stay at the top of his profession and still be as influential as ever. Giggs has changed from a flying winger, remember that goal against Arsenal, into a deep-lying play-maker, which has ensured he is still winning matches and displaying brilliance even in his 22nd year. United's all-time record appearance maker and the player who best defines the Ferguson era. A new contract at the age of 38 just backs his legendary status.
Midfielder Centre: Paul Scholes, 1994-2011 & 2012-present, 471 appearances, 103 goals
Quite simply the best English player of his generation. Ferguson pulled him out of retirement less than a year after quitting which goes to show how much faith he has in him. A brilliant passer of the ball and, in his earlier days, a superb goalscorer when arriving late from midfield. Has always been a one-club man who will finish his career at Old Trafford, for a second time. His ability has been lauded by players so much that you have to take notice. He has rightly attained legendary status at Old Trafford.
Midfielder Centre: Roy Keane, 444 appearances, 55 goals
A British record transfer fee when Fergie parted with 3.75million for the Irish-man, and he was undoubtedly worth it. An inspirational captain, Keane was the embodiment of the drive and desire that made United so successful under Sir Alex. He was always a fully committed player who delivered the finest ever individual performance in United's history in the Champions Leagye semi-final against Juventus when he was already suspended for the final and the club's treble dream looked to be all but over. Sums him up as a true team player and was dramatically missed when he departed the club. A figurehead and a player the team would rally behind time after time. To this day, captain fantastic has never been fully replaced.
Forward: Eric Cantona, 1992-1997, 144 appearances, 64 goals
To Man United fans he was a legend, and I don't think many neutrals could disagree. There are very few players who have ever had an aura surround their every move on a football field quite like Eric Cantona. With his arrogant attitude and the turned up collar, he looked more like a star in a Clint Eastwood film than a footballer. His unrivalled skill and charisma were matched by his unpredictability, as shown when he walked off towards the Selhurst Park dressing room in 1995. Aside from this moment of madness Cantona led United's charge back to the top of English football. His 79 goals in 175 games may not be as good as the likes of RVN, but Fergie entrusted him to bring through his fledglings in the early to mid-nineties as he transformed United into the team they are today.
Forward: Ruud Van Nistelrooy, 2001-2006, 220 appearances, 150 goals
150 goals in 220 appearances says it all really. Any striker with a goals to game ratio like this is going to go down as a club star. RVN is the definition of 'fox in the box' 149 of his 250 goals game inside the penalty area. Except for a barren spell in the 2004-2005 season, RVN had a natural instinct for where the goal was, something all world-class strikers are born with. Still the clubs record European goalscorer with 38 strikes, a record that will no doubt stand for many years to come.
So there is my eleven. If I had to make a squad out of all the players that have played for Sir Alex Ferguson that would be it. There have been many other great players in his time in charge and that is why there is such a long substitute bench below.
Subs bench: Edwin Van Der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Mark Hughes, David Beckham, Bryon Robson, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham, Andrei Kanchelskis, David Beckham, Steve Bruce. Paul Ince. Wayne Rooney.
It could go on!
