MY FERGUSON-ERA BEST XI
MY FERGUSON-ERA BEST XI
- By Will Tidey, author of Life with Sir Alex: A Fan's Story of Ferguson's 25 Years at Manchester United by Will Tidey
Will will be signing copies of his book at 12pm at Deansgate Waterstones on Saturday.
As we approach Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25th anniversary at United, it seems fitting to re-visit a debate that’s been played out thousands of times during his reign. If you had to pick a Ferguson-era XI, who’d be in it, and why?
To qualify my selection, I’m going for the team I think would perform best over the course of the season, domestically and in Europe - and I’m going for the 4-4-2 formation that has graced the best part of Ferguson’s quarter of a century at Old Trafford.
GK: PETER SCHMEICHEL
To those who argue Edwin van der Sar should get the nod, I spread out my arms like a giant bear and roar in defiance, because United have never had a better goalkeeper than the Great Dane. Schmeichel
reinvented the artform during his time at Old Trafford and, aside from his natural flair for stopping the opposition scoring, was arguably the best proponent of the attack-launching overarm throw the game has ever seen.
RB: GARY NEVILLE
Neville’s remarkable focus and commitment saw him achieve 10 times what his God-given talent gave license to. As a defender his concentration was immense. In attack he knew his limits, but as a foil
to David Beckham he gave his starry-eyed best friend the ideal platform for world domination.
CB: STEVE BRUCE
Sheffield Wednesday at home, April 1993. With two late headed blows Bruce crashed open the door to two decades of success, and typified the never-say-die resolve he’d leant United since his arrival from Norwich City in 1987. What he lacked in flair, Bruce more than made up for in blood-and-guts commitment. When I close my eyes he’s wearing a bandage around his head.
CB: NEMANJA VIDIC
United’s 2008 central pairing of Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were arguably the most effective of the Ferguson era, but it’s the Serbian assassin I’d want more in a team chasing trophies. A fearless competitor who never knows when he’s beaten, Vidic is the Jaap Stam for a new generation.
LB: DENIS IRWIN
How much would Denis Irwin would be worth in the current market? Here was a quick, two-footed fullback, who could deliver accurate crosses from either flank and offer a genuine threat from set-pieces. The fact Ferguson got him for £625,000, and was repaid with 12 years’ of relentlessly immaculate service, makes Irwin one of the most astute signings in English football history.
RM: CRISTIANO RONALO
Has any player ever dominated a Premier League season quite like Ronaldo did in United’s 2007-08 campaign? On an average day he was devastating; at his best he was as close to unplayable as the most famous United number seven of them all. Those who cried for the departure of Beckham didn’t cry for long.
CM: ROY KEANE
United’s snarling, barnstorming midfield warrior, Roy Keane upped the ante when he arrived in 1993. By his standards of commitment so everybody would be measured, and for over a decade he dragged United by the scruff of the neck to prolific success. Has there ever been a better midfield performance by a United player than the one he gave in Turin against Juventus in 1999?
CM: PAUL SCHOLES
It’s a midfield prone to suspensions, but a few rash tackles here and there would be well worth the risk for this pairing – arguably the best of the Ferguson era. Scholes’ vision, creativity and goalscoring threat made him one of the best players of his generation and earned accolades all over the world. Xavi called him “the best midfielder of the last 20 years”, and you only need to watch back his 2003 hat-trick against Newcastle to see why.
LM: RYAN GIGGS
Was there ever a more electrifying sight during Ferguson’s reign than that of Giggs at full flight, slaloming past defenders with the ball glued to his instep? The wing wizard has long since evolved into a wily central midfielder, but 20 years on Giggs remains a central figure in United’s quest for a 20th league title. He’s Ryan Giggs, he’ll do what he wants.
FW: ERIC CANTONA
The influence of Cantona lives on. English football had never seen his like before, and hasn’t seen another like him since. The Frenchman instilled a swaggering belief to a United team who didn’t know how to get over the finish line. The stuttering gave way to a strutting confidence, and United’s next generation were born in his image. “I am not a man, I am Cantona,” he famously said. No you're not Eric, you're The King.
FW: WAYNE ROONEY
The Ruud van Nistelrooy argument is a strong one, but as time passes it’s becoming more and more unpalatable to consider a Ferguson XI shorn of an all-round attacking talent who goes by the name of Wayne Rooney. Ruud was a the master goal poacher – a Denis Law for the age, but Rooney gives my team goals and a whole lot more besides. Step forward the White Pele.
SUBS: Edwin Van der Sar, Jaap Stam, Patrice Evra, David Beckham, Bryan Robson, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Mark Hughes
NON-PLAYING, CELEBRATING SUB: David May
- By Will Tidey, author of Life with Sir Alex: A Fan's Story of Ferguson's 25 Years at Manchester United by Will Tidey
- By Will Tidey, author of Life with Sir Alex: A Fan's Story of Ferguson's 25 Years at Manchester United by Will Tidey
Will will be signing copies of his book at 12pm at Deansgate Waterstones on Saturday.
As we approach Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25th anniversary at United, it seems fitting to re-visit a debate that’s been played out thousands of times during his reign. If you had to pick a Ferguson-era XI, who’d be in it, and why?
To qualify my selection, I’m going for the team I think would perform best over the course of the season, domestically and in Europe - and I’m going for the 4-4-2 formation that has graced the best part of Ferguson’s quarter of a century at Old Trafford.
GK: PETER SCHMEICHEL
To those who argue Edwin van der Sar should get the nod, I spread out my arms like a giant bear and roar in defiance, because United have never had a better goalkeeper than the Great Dane. Schmeichel
reinvented the artform during his time at Old Trafford and, aside from his natural flair for stopping the opposition scoring, was arguably the best proponent of the attack-launching overarm throw the game has ever seen.
RB: GARY NEVILLE
Neville’s remarkable focus and commitment saw him achieve 10 times what his God-given talent gave license to. As a defender his concentration was immense. In attack he knew his limits, but as a foil
to David Beckham he gave his starry-eyed best friend the ideal platform for world domination.
CB: STEVE BRUCE
Sheffield Wednesday at home, April 1993. With two late headed blows Bruce crashed open the door to two decades of success, and typified the never-say-die resolve he’d leant United since his arrival from Norwich City in 1987. What he lacked in flair, Bruce more than made up for in blood-and-guts commitment. When I close my eyes he’s wearing a bandage around his head.
CB: NEMANJA VIDIC
United’s 2008 central pairing of Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were arguably the most effective of the Ferguson era, but it’s the Serbian assassin I’d want more in a team chasing trophies. A fearless competitor who never knows when he’s beaten, Vidic is the Jaap Stam for a new generation.
LB: DENIS IRWIN
How much would Denis Irwin would be worth in the current market? Here was a quick, two-footed fullback, who could deliver accurate crosses from either flank and offer a genuine threat from set-pieces. The fact Ferguson got him for £625,000, and was repaid with 12 years’ of relentlessly immaculate service, makes Irwin one of the most astute signings in English football history.
RM: CRISTIANO RONALO
Has any player ever dominated a Premier League season quite like Ronaldo did in United’s 2007-08 campaign? On an average day he was devastating; at his best he was as close to unplayable as the most famous United number seven of them all. Those who cried for the departure of Beckham didn’t cry for long.
CM: ROY KEANE
United’s snarling, barnstorming midfield warrior, Roy Keane upped the ante when he arrived in 1993. By his standards of commitment so everybody would be measured, and for over a decade he dragged United by the scruff of the neck to prolific success. Has there ever been a better midfield performance by a United player than the one he gave in Turin against Juventus in 1999?
CM: PAUL SCHOLES
It’s a midfield prone to suspensions, but a few rash tackles here and there would be well worth the risk for this pairing – arguably the best of the Ferguson era. Scholes’ vision, creativity and goalscoring threat made him one of the best players of his generation and earned accolades all over the world. Xavi called him “the best midfielder of the last 20 years”, and you only need to watch back his 2003 hat-trick against Newcastle to see why.
LM: RYAN GIGGS
Was there ever a more electrifying sight during Ferguson’s reign than that of Giggs at full flight, slaloming past defenders with the ball glued to his instep? The wing wizard has long since evolved into a wily central midfielder, but 20 years on Giggs remains a central figure in United’s quest for a 20th league title. He’s Ryan Giggs, he’ll do what he wants.
FW: ERIC CANTONA
The influence of Cantona lives on. English football had never seen his like before, and hasn’t seen another like him since. The Frenchman instilled a swaggering belief to a United team who didn’t know how to get over the finish line. The stuttering gave way to a strutting confidence, and United’s next generation were born in his image. “I am not a man, I am Cantona,” he famously said. No you're not Eric, you're The King.
FW: WAYNE ROONEY
The Ruud van Nistelrooy argument is a strong one, but as time passes it’s becoming more and more unpalatable to consider a Ferguson XI shorn of an all-round attacking talent who goes by the name of Wayne Rooney. Ruud was a the master goal poacher – a Denis Law for the age, but Rooney gives my team goals and a whole lot more besides. Step forward the White Pele.
SUBS: Edwin Van der Sar, Jaap Stam, Patrice Evra, David Beckham, Bryan Robson, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Mark Hughes
NON-PLAYING, CELEBRATING SUB: David May
- By Will Tidey, author of Life with Sir Alex: A Fan's Story of Ferguson's 25 Years at Manchester United by Will Tidey
posted by RN at 02:37
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