Fergie’s Best XI.
By Paddy Madden
Goalkeeper – Peter Schmeichel – The Great Dane. Signed in 1991 for £530,000 – the ‘Bargain of the Century’.
Right back – Gary Neville – ‘Red Nev’. Part of the ‘Class of ‘92’
Centre-half – Rio Ferdinand – Made shackling the world’s best look effortless. Unbeatable at his peak.
Centre-half – Jaap Stam – Defensive rock on which United’s treble success was built.
Left back – Denis Irwin – Ever dependable penalty taking full-back.
Right Midfield – Cristiano Ronaldo – Gave a flummoxed Gary Neville the run around in a pre-season friendly. Soon became League’s best.
Central Midfield – Paul Scholes – The best and most gifted midfielder of his generation.
Central Midfield – Roy Keane (c) – United’s talisman and inspiration – his performance against Juventus in the 1999 European Cup second-leg was one of the greatest.
Left Midfield- Ryan Giggs – The boy wonder is now Old Trafford’s elder statesman and the most decorated player in domestic football.
Centre Forward- Ruud Van Nistelrooy – 150 goals in 220 appearances. The club’s highest goal scorer in Europe.
Centre Forward – Eric Cantona – A rebellious, enigmatic, genius. Known simply as ‘God’.
Substitutes – Edwin Van Der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Bryan Robson, David Beckham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Andy Cole.