Together with Liverpool, Manchester United has the richest history of any English club.
From the Busby Babes and the Best-Law-Charlton triumvirate to the Ferguson-managed teams guarded over by Schmeichel and Van der Sar – there is no question that Man United, throughout the decades, has been able to field several brilliant, silverware-winning generations.
Choosing an All-Time team from across all these great generations is a challenge, with the hardest task being: which two wingers to pick from Best, Ronaldo and Giggs?
Goalkeeper ~ Peter Schmeichel
Not that I wish to underestimate the achievements of Edwin van der Sar, but there can be no doubt whatsoever about the goalkeeper of a Manchester United All-Time XI. Peter Schmeichel was more than just a stopper of balls – he was an icon. With his titanic physique, commanding presence and brilliant reflexes he was the pillar of Manchester United for nearly a decade. In 1992 and 1993 he was voted best goalkeeper in the world, and in 1999 he captained Manchester United to a Champions League triumph. He still holds the record for the Premier league goalie with the most clean sheets: 42% of his games. One of the best goalies of all time, surely.
Right back ~ Gary Neville
Gary Neville can hardly be called a genius, a maestro or a rock. But his longevity and consistency can’t be overlooked. With 85 caps for England and over 100 Champions League games, Neville defined a generation. His tackling, marking, positioning and crossing, if not brilliant, was always solid. In total, he amassed a staggering 602 matches for Manchester United. In addition, he hasn’t much competition for the spot. The best option as a reserve is Dennis Irwin, who featured as a left-back for Man United, but was right footed and can perfectly play the role.
Centre Back ~ Jaap Stam
Jaap Stam played only a couple of seasons on Old Trafford, but left an unerasable impression. Stronger than anyone on the pitch and faster than most attackers, Jaap Stam in his peak was a nightmare for every opposing offensive player. A key figure in the 1999 Champions League triumph, he was elected best defender in the CL in both 1999 and 2000. A revealing auto-biography caused a spat with Ferguson, who immediately sold him to Lazio. Fergie later confessed that that decision had been a mistake. Rio Ferdinand would have been just as good a pick, but his injuries and tendency to get exposed by mobile players means he takes second place.
Centre Back – Nemanja Vidic
To most, Nemanja Vidic was an unknown figure when Ferguson purchased him in the summer of 2006. But his name, and his assertive no-nonsense defending style won’t be forgotten any time soon. Since his arrival, Manchester United have won four Premier Leagues and played in three different Champions League finals. How crucial a role Vidic has played in these successes is evidenced by the fact that he has twice been elected Barclays Premier League Player of the Year. An excellent achievement for a defender. He gets the nod over Steve Bruce, who was a legend for the club, too, playing over 300 matches, but who, indicative of a lack of truly world class ability, never managed to get a single cap for England.
Left Back ~ Roger Byrne
Manchester United’s captain for much of the 1950′s, he was set to captain England, too, in the 1958 World Cup – before the Munich air disaster claimed his life. Byrne was a leader in the field, who mastered multiple positions – from left winger to right back. But as left back he played most of his games. In addition to his leadership, he had pace, intelligence, and an incredible work ethic. The reserve is Patrice Evra.
Defensive Midfielder ~ Duncan Edwards
In terms of all-round ability, Duncan Edwards might be United’s greatest player ever. Strong, fast, a great tackler, skilled on the ball, he was the only one, confessed Bobby Charlton, ‘who made me feel inferior’. The fatal 1958 plane crash cut his life short, and robbed football from one its brightest prospects. He was only 21. But he had already played an astonishing 177 matches for Man United. God only knows how he’d be remembered if he had lived. Roy Keane, aggressive but lacking in skill compared to Edwards, is the reserve player for this position.
Offensive Midfielder ~ Bobby Charlton
To this day, Bobby Charlton is thé icon of Manchester United. And for good reason. With 758′s official games played, 249 goals scored and a long, long list of individual honours (the Ballon d’Or among them), there is no question that he is the best English player in history, and he put all his talent in the service of Manchester United, for 17 long seasons. His place in this team is fixed, and will remain so for decades to come. Paul Scholes will have to satisfy himself with the bench.
Right Winger ~ George Best
Manchested United has had its fair share of quality wingers, and none so good as George Best. By himself he dribbled past way more defenders than Beckham, Ronaldo and Giggs combined. His incredible balance and agility allowed him to run circles around opponents at will. A winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1968, he merits this place more than anyone else. David Beckham may have been a better crosser, but Best was the superior player in all other respects.
Left Winger ~ Ryan Giggs
This call was incredibly tough to make, given that the other option was Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s a choice between peak quality and longevity. Ronaldo is a better player right now than Giggs has ever been. He is faster, more skilled, more dominant, has a better shot and scores much more goals. But when we look at just his time at Manchester United, Ronaldo had only one truly great season. Contrast this with Giggs, who has had twenty-one consistently good seasons. With nearly 900 official games under the bag for Manchester United, I believe that ignoring Ryan Giggs simply isn’t an option.
Second Striker ~ Eric Cantona
Eric the King single handedly won United games and trophies with his crucial, and often genius, match-deciding goals. His technique, vision, power and speed, combined with his ability to find the net when it really mattered made Cantona the number one player at Man Utd for several years. Deservedly voted Premier League Player of the Year on two different occassasions, Cantona was more than just a footballer. A generation of boys in Europe grew up putting their collar up. Because Cantona did it. The coolest player of all time. The man who defined style. Such a difference with Wayne Rooney – who really needs to clean up his habit of losing all his form for half the season if he ever wants to make it in a Manchester United All-Time XI.
Striker ~ Denis Law
The only Scottish player to ever win the Ballon d’Or, Denis Law is United’s best striker in history. Nobody except Bobby Charlton has scored more goals for the Red Devils than Denis Law. Indeed, Law’s goals were as crucial to the success of United in the 1960′s as anything Best and Charlton did. In Law’s later years, injuries took away his lethal edge. but in his day, he was rightfully names The King by Uniteds supporters.. In recognition of his contributions, a bronze version of Law, standing inbetween Best and Charlton, still greets anyone who approaches Old Trafford. Even so, Had Ruud van Nistelrooy played a few more years for United, he might have won this spot.
