In a word, no.
You could count on one hand who, of United's current strongest XI, would get into the double winners of 1994 or the treble winners of 99.
Wayne Rooney? Definitely.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic would have every right to claim to be United's finest central defensive pairing.
Which leaves just Cristiano Ronaldo - but even the World and European Footballer of the Year would not have been a shoo-in when faced with David Beckham at the height of his powers.
United may be in the hunt for an unprecedented quintuple - a third successive title and back-to-back Champions League triumphs. But it is a classic case of the collective being greater than the sum of its parts.
Compare the current midfield to either that of 99 or 94.
Who of Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Ronaldo or Ji-Sung Park would find a regular place among Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Beckham or Ryan Giggs in 99?
How many would have got past Keane, Paul Ince, Andrei Kanchelskis and Giggs in 94?
Is Dimitar Berbatov as inspirational as Eric Cantona?
Has the Bulgarian even been as effective in his first season at Old Trafford as Dwight Yorke when he arrived in 98?
Defensively, Wes Brown or Rafael might well have forced their way past Paul Parker in the 94 team but would they have eased out Gary Neville in his prime?
Comfortable
Likewise, Patrice Evra on the left.
The Frenchman might be the best left back in Europe right now but is he better than Dennis Irwin - equally comfortable with either foot, a wonderful deliverer of set-pieces with a wicked free kick?
And for all Edwin van der Sar's record-breaking exploits this season, Peter Schmeichel remains peerless.
Why, then, is Ferguson's current crop in a position to overshadow each of its predecessors?
How has it attained a position of such dominance at a time when, in Ferguson's opinion, the Premier League has never been stronger?
The greatest strength of Ferguson's latest incarnation is that - unlike its predecessors - it has no definitive XI.
Even with a potentially debilitating list of injuries this season, Ferguson has consistently been able to put out sides capable of winning matches.
No Ronaldo, Rooney, Ferdinand, Evra or Carrick, no problem.
The names of John O'Shea, Fletcher or Park might not carry the weight of United players of the past, but they have proved themselves more than able deputies on the biggest of stages.
If there is one word that best describes United, it is "effective".
Intent
Not to say they don't possess the attacking intent of all Ferguson's sides, but it is the effectiveness of his current squad that sets it apart.
Eleven 1-0 wins and 29 clean sheets in all competitions this season are testament to that.
Like a first love, the 94 team will always retain a special place in Ferguson's affections but how would it fare against today's United?
It might have encompassed a raw power in the guise of Keane, Ince, Cantona and Mark Hughes that stirred its manager so - but it didn't possess the adaptability of the class of 09.
In other words, it was all or nothing.
The Treble-winners may have blown all away in 99 but once sussed out by Europe's finest, their Champions League credentials plummeted.
How do you suss out United now?
A water-tight rearguard and relatively conservative midfield provides the platform for match-winners like Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov and Carlos Tevez.
Ferguson can play anything from three up front to a lone striker. A combative midfield of Carrick, Fletcher and Park or a more creative accent with Giggs and Scholes.
And it should only get better, with Anderson, Nani and Zoran Tosic still to mature - Owen Hargreaves to rediscover full fitness.
On a player-by-player basis, it might not compare with some of Ferguson's finest but the United manager undoubtedly presides over the strongest squad he has ever had.
The strongest the Premier League has ever had - and that includes Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, which could afford to leave Joe Cole, Shaun Wright- Phillips, Hernan Crespo and Adrian Mutu on the bench.
Unlike Mourinho's back-to-back title winners, Ferguson's squad retains its shape, balance and, crucially, its effectiveness no matter who comes in.
Would Cantona, Keane and a young Giggs and Scholes command a regular place in this side? Absolutely. Would the sides of 94 and 99 have got the better of the class of 09?
That's another matter entirely.
Robson's best Fergie United XI: Schmeichel, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Irwin, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Ronaldo, Cantona, rooney.
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Stepney, Forsyth, Buchan, Greenhoff, Houston, Macari , Daly, McIlroy, Pearson, Greenhoff, Hill - now there's a team
I'd have Kanchelskis in there, because for 3 or 4 seasons he was on fire, lightening fast and scored goals. He loved scoring against City, remember the 5-0? If he didn't have other issues he would have achieved legendary status. A true great, sad to see him leave.
Not too bad but I'll make a couple of changes. Since Irwin could play on either of the full back positions and was along with Evra the best fullback we've had in Fergusons time both should be accomodated. Also I think that it would be a travesty to leave out Stam so it's a real tossup between Vidic and Rio. I'll go for Vidic but it's really close. I'd agree with the midfield choices and upfront (however it might be different if Van Nistelrooy could be considered). So my team (with 5 subs) is:
Schmeichel, Irwin, Vidic, Stam, Evra, Ronaldo, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Cantona, Rooney with subs VdS, Neville, Rio, Beckham, Yorke
Great article and I totally agree with the label "effective" because I don't believe that United are as entertaining as we were, the cavalier approach has gone to be replaced by more of a relentless drive (a la Chelsea of a few seasons back).
I also agree that only a few of our current players would get into the 94 or 99 sides, we may have the better strength in depth now but we had truly world class players in almost every position in 99.
what SAF has said is this is his strongest squad, in previuos seasons we struggled with injuries and certainly in 99 we had a lot of luck...we also tended to play the same way which is why we got found wanting in Europe. The current squad is more flexible and can change formation and still be formindable...
neville was a fantastic player but its unfair to make comparisons with Rafael as he's still young....when he's in his prime will he be a better player....I think yes.
james cromley in stockport. a man after my own heart. if you lived down the road i'd buy you a pint. what beautiful memories. viva docs red devils!
The foreigner ruled hindered the 94 team from greatness in europe,I still think chelseas bench the last couple of years have been stronger than ours, midfield is where the comparisons are most notable, keane,ince,scholes(prime),giggs(prime),kanchelskis would all walk into our team at present
Evra is miles better than Irwin was so he would be in. I would possibly have Cole and Yorke in as a partnership over Cantona/Rooney. Harsh on Cantona but for me Rooney still has work to do.
Good shout DonR re playing Irwin on the right. However Rio has to be in the side and Stam and Vidic would fight out the remaining spot due to their similarity (I can't decide on that one - probably Stam on balance). Contrary to the article writer I would say Ronaldo is a shoe in but whether he replace Beckham or a striker is the question but he is better than Beckham even at the height of his powers.
what about the class of 1988 - Ralph Milne, Liam O Brien, Colin Gibson, Billy Garton, Mal Donaghy, Peter Davenport to name just a few of the legends...
Interesting comments Chris. I was on another forum the other day and a Iverpool supporter suggested United has the same inevitability about their League performances as Liverpool of the 70s and 80s used to and I would agree. It has a lot to do with the emphasis on a defence first approach that we seem to have assumed this season. Watching United of the 90s was exciting because then we occasionally got an absolute battering but this hasn't happened for a couple of years but then we haven't beaten sides out of sight as much either. My feeling is that the difference is the addition of battling attackers, Tevez and Rooney who frequently drop much deeper than Cole and Yorke ever did plus at least one midfielder, and often two, whose role is to primarily provide defensive cover and then to link up with attack.
schmeichel, nev ('99 era), stam, vidic, irwin, ronaldo, keane, scholes ('99), giggs ('99 or now), dieu and rooney......
subs: vds, evra, rio, kancheslskis, carrick, yorke, ole
Totally disagree. I wouldn't think many past players would get into this side. You could make a case for Schmeichel. The current back four is better than anything we've had before. Vidic is as strong and faster than Stam, so the Big Dutch Man would miss out. Midfield, some might make a case for the need for a leader in the style of Keane but I don't. Our midfield has been superb for two and a half seasons without the need to be shouted and glared at by an intense but technically inferior midfielder with an attitude. Up front, Rooney and Ronaldo are obvious starters and then it's a toss up between Cantona's and Berbatov's guile and Andy Cole's speed and movement. I'd go for Cole, on balance, simply because he's the best I've ever seen at moving defenders around and creating space for others.
But the article misses the point. Now it's very much a squad game and there isn't a first choice XI. Previously, we had a first choice XI and pretty much nothing behind that.
Surprised at so many calls for Stam, who for me was good but is not as good as Vidic, Ferdinand or Pally. Stam was never as dominatant as people remember and was very poor away to Juventus in 99 for example and for a big guy didn't fancy it much in the air, often being outbeaten. He had good distribution and was a good leader at the back excelling if it was all about stength on the ground, but he wasn't that mobile and often got himself into poor positions. Wouldn't even get on the bench for my team.
Also I wouldn't say Evra is 'miles better' than Irwin. Defensively Irwin was a bit smarter and more savvy, was a better crosser and certainly better at shooting, Evra has the edge with his pace. They both go into my team.
Up front is a dilemma, as Van Nisteltrooy would walk in with the amount of goals he weighed in with and he was brilliant in Europe, but under the 94, 99, 09 criteria he wouldn't be allowed, meanwhile Eric was great in the league but went missing in Europe. However, he has to go in. Of the 3 seasons I would go with the following...
Schmeichel, Irwin, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Beckham, Scholes, Keane, Giggs, Ronaldo, Cantona
Bench: VDS, Rooney, Kanchelskis, Pally, Solsjkaer (obviously)
T&C - your point about Cole is a good one. He wouldn't get in my team, but I was often surprised that people didn't realise how good his movement was (united fans included). He missed chances but he often made that space for himself (and which striker doesn't miss chances). The great thing I also liked about Cole, was even if he missed one he wouldn't go hiding and would make the same run to get in the position again.
It's only in numbers that we have the best "team" now. You can't compare Becks to Ronaldo, he never even got mentioned for world player, I would'nt have Giggs in my team and Evra is a shoein. I'm surprised nobody mentioned Pallister who was the best CB we've ever had IMO. He and Stam would be ahead of Vidic who does'nt have great pace despite what someone said. Our weakest positions are midfield at moment although I think Carrick is becoming a terrific player for us. I would have Rio, Evra, R&R and a young Scholes in any team along with the great Dane, Neville, Pally, Keane, Cantona & Robson.
Lord Ruud, Stam had one exceptional season and then injuries (and maybe a little complacency) meant he never regained his top form at United or after he left.
Lord Ruud Cole was far better than Solskjaer, legend or not:)
No Irwin T&C? He would make my team over Gary Nev because he was far more versatile, scored his fair share of goals and didn't sport any ridiculous facial hair :-)
For me it would be:
GK: Schmeichel
RB: Irwin
CB: Rio
CB: Stam/Vidic (so hard to seperate them)
LB: Evra
RW: Becks/Ronaldo (cant decide again!)
CM: Keane
CM: Scholes
LW: Giggs
FW: Rooney
FW: Cantona
Sub1: Cole
Sub2: Sparky (has to be there, absolute LEGEND)
Sub3: VDS
It really is hard to put a team together out of the 3 sides because we have been blessed with some great players over the years.
Also Cole's scoring rate was as good as Shearer's (slightly better in fact) if you remove Shearer's penalties from the equation. The 1 in 3 was a Hoddlism that everyone jumped on because the media wanted Shearer as the England No 9. Paradoxically the ratio was true, the illusion was that there was a striker who had a better scoring ratio than that - any striker would bite your hand off for that goal per chance return.
Duncan: I fear the days off us battering anybody (let alone getting battered) are gone for now, we seem quite content to get a goal or two up then contain the oppo for the rest of the match without really stretching ourselves - clever tactics to protect/conserve the players I guess but it does mean we have lost that little bit of magic that United built their reputation on IMHO. Yes we lost more games back then but I would rather go down all guns blazing than play out a tepid 1-0 - certainly made it more interesting because you really didn't know what was going to happen! lol
It is strange looking back, I think I enjoyed football a lot more 10 years ago than I do now, I know football hasn't been a "sport" for a long time now but it gets worse every year with money being so important and the Champions League the be all and end all - teams used to fight to win the league but now seem content just to get into the top four and their chance at the pot of gold. All of this in turn has increased the gamesmanship and turned ordinary lads into some of the most detestable people on the planet.
Fair play, wish I could earn 100k a week :-P lol
Thought this article might re-awaken t&c...hehe!!
I agree now, squad wise we're better but if i had to pick my XI with Subs they would go as such;
Schmeichel, Irwin, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Beckham, Scholes, Keane, Giggs, Ronaldo, Cantona
Subs; Vds,G.Nev,Rooney,Kanchelskis,Pallister,Carrick,Solskjaer.
Lord Ruud, we're allowed a bench of seven substitutes now ;). Re: Cantona. It's not unthinkable that he would be left out of the side; Scholes picked Sheringham ahead of him recently. In fact, he didn't even make his bench. That's not to say that he wasn't great. He was. But a strong case could be made for other forwards, too. Interesting comments, though.
Oxford Chris, That's not fair on the current side. Last season, the season before, and at times in this one, they have played some awesome football. This side has much more quality in its locker than the writer and others give it credit for. I wouldn't say that we're playing "effectively"- I would rather suggest that the opposition "parks its bus" more often, and looks for the smash and grab, if they get the chance (Sunderland and Everton at home, Stoke away, among others). Also, the team finishing has let the side down sometimes; At least they're still creating, so one would hope that the goals will come more frequently in time. To add to that, this side could achieve a third successive title- I don't think enough fans appreciate how hard it is to do that. Ask yourself why very, very few have achieved that in top flight history. Defending a title is much harder than winning it, and that's difficult enough. Still, it's a young side with (hopefully) its best years ahead of it.
Tooth&Claw, Brilliant comments overall, I agree with a great deal of your post.
Really like this article, how come no mension of Solsjkaer?? I thought he was amazing, and still is in the type of person he is also, not to mention the team partnership of cole and yorke, having said that, I rate Rooner higher than both........would certainly make for an interesting and amazing team to take the best of both teams huh? :)
Stepney, Forsyth, Buchan, Greenhoff, Houston, Macari , Daly, McIlroy, Pearson, Greenhoff, Hill - now there's a team
james cromley, stockport
6/03/2009 at 12:47
Where's Steve Coppell?
T&C,
I am not going to quibble with anyone's selection, it's their choice, but Stam wasn't slow, he would have been faster than Vidic in a sprint but I don't think he was as agile being such a big guy.