The Best Man United Team of the EPL-Era?

By: Rob | January 27th, 2009

   

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Paul Scholes announcing who the best players he’s ever played alongside are, is an interesting proposition for a number of reasons. Firstly, he never says anything. Secondly, he’s played his entire career alongside the dominant players of the Premier League-era. Usually the “Of the Premier League” exclusion of Division One is absolutely pointless, but in this case its rather interesting, because its when United suddenly came really good.

Scholes team is interesting as well. He takes Wes Brown in the centre of defence. No Steve Bruce, Jaap Stam, Gary Pallister. He doesn’t pick the much beloved and iconic Eric Cantona, instead taking his replacement, Teddy Sherringham. He picks David Beckham out at Right wing instead of Ronaldo.

Here is the XI (and the bench) that Scholes has picked. Schmeichel; G Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Irwin; Beckham, Keane, Robson (capt), Giggs; Van Nistelrooy, Sheringham.
Substitutes: Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Carrick, Butt, P Neville, Stam.

Now its your turn.

Scholes’s selection is interestingly weighted to the late 90s – The Beckham-Keane-Scholes-Giggs midfield that terrified all Europe in 1999 makes it, with the exception of the man himself. The modern players – Ronaldo, Rooney, Carrick, Tevez, only make the bench.

Speaking of which, is Nicky Butt really that good? Did I miss something?

Can’t help thinking Man United fans will note the lack of Cantona though – and maybe there is a suggestion that Cantona wasn’t quite as influential on the dressing room as we thought.

Anyhow, I’m throwing this open to The Offside. Who is the best XI – and subs if you wish – to have played for United since they won the inagural Premier League title.

Mine would be something like

Schmeichel, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Pallister, Irwin, Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Cantona, Van Nisto

Subs: Van Der Saar, Stam, Ronaldo, Sherringham, Solskjaer, Robson, Rooney

Let me know what you think.

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Category: Manchester United

   

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Comments  

• Taylor |  January 27th, 2009 at 10:34 am

  
  
  

  He primarily picked players on the ‘99 Treble team or those that played in the United youth system with him… and the fact that Cole/Yorke haven’t been mentioned surprises me… they were unstoppable in ‘99…

  

• Taylor |  January 27th, 2009 at 10:34 am

  
  
  

  Also, I assume you tried to find the least flattering pictures of Scholes and Beckham that you possibly could?

  

• Rob |  January 27th, 2009 at 11:20 am

  
  
  

  Its just that the picture came of all four together, it seemed appropriate.

  There is an element of picking players from his youth team, which explains P-Nev and Butt.

  The thing about Yorke and Cole is that you have to have them both to have one, I think.

  

• Taylor |  January 27th, 2009 at 11:44 am

  
  
  

  Agreed on that one… with all of that said, I would have to go:

  Schmeichel, G.Nev, Rio, Pallister, Irwin, Slave, Keane, Robson, Giggs, Cantona, Sheringham
  Bench: VDS, Bruce, Vidic, Scholes, Becks, Hughes, Rooney

  

• Shazback |  January 27th, 2009 at 6:13 pm

  
  
  

  Surprised at Robson being in the midfield starters, and Cole, Yorke and Solskjaer not even making the bench. Vidic too surprises me by his absence. Then again, I guess that there’ll always be remarks about any “best of Man U since 1992″ XI. You could pretty much make two or three teams (that might be stretching it though, the 3rd XI would be a bit weak in some positions) that would be full of class players.

  

• colin |  January 27th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

  
  
  

  I dont get this David Beckham obsession. Surely if your not playing Ronaldo up front then you’d have him on the right ahead of Becks. The last time David Beckham beat a man was 1998.

  

• Shazback |  January 27th, 2009 at 7:27 pm

  
  
  

  ITT colin missed 1999-2002.

  

• Rob |  January 27th, 2009 at 8:31 pm

  
  
  

  Yeah but Colin, you’d have Beckham circa 1998. Watch that game against Barca in the 1999 CL and tell me Beckham wasn’t as good as Ronny when he was in his prime.

  If you’re having Van Nisto up front anyway, you want someone who might actually pass to him

  

• Gopal |  January 28th, 2009 at 2:22 am

  
  
  

  Good United Team… Though i would’ve liked Ronaldo in the first 11…

  Check my Soccer blog at

  http://soccerzlife.wordpress.com

  

• Ak |  January 28th, 2009 at 3:41 am

  
  
  

  Yeah, I’d probably go with Rob’s team too. You can’t change the ‘99 midfield provided it’s pre-treble Beckham: that mid was probably one of the all-time greats, and I’ve haven’t seen anything better since. Sorry CR – you’re just not good enough. Well, not _that_ sorry.
  Is it me, or does anyone else feel cheated out of ever having to watch a Cantona and van Nistel attack?

  

• Rob |  January 28th, 2009 at 9:31 am

  
  
  

  I know yeah AK, they would have been absolutely perfect for one another. Alas.

  

• miele |  February 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 am

  
  
  

  Has there been a Ryan Giggs’ best 11? Curious minds want to know, Giggseh!

  

• parjo |  February 27th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

  
  
  

  Nicky Butt was the best England player in World Cup 2002, yes, he’s that good.