Just 18 years ago, United trailed Liverpool’s title record by 12 league crowns.
Then the 1993 Premier League triumph scattered the cloud that had hung over the Reds since 1968 and blew open the door to a golden age of success at Old Trafford.
Masterminded by Sir Alex Ferguson, the dozen titles were ticked off in rapid succession and a point from United’s trip to Blackburn this Saturday, or at home to Blackpool on the final day of the campaign, will see the Reds officially become the best ever.
From Robson to Vidic, Schmeichel to Van der Sar and Cantona to Rooney, Fergie will have made 850 team selections for Premier League combat since the start of that 1992-93 season by the time he hands in his names for the Blackpool finale on May 22.
Old Trafford’s Hall of Fame is now crammed with title winners and four generations of Fergie sides. But who would make up Sir Alex’s best title-winning XI?
PETER SCHMEICHEL
The Great Dane was the cut- price piece that completed the defensive jigsaw on which Fergie was able to build a golden age.
A £550,000 bargain from Danish club Brondby, he became United’s undisputed number one goalkeeper of all time. That still just about holds true now, despite the recent claims of the ageless Edwin van der Sar.
But Schmeichel was the first and inspired so many since. Probably his physical presence shades it over his eventual successor.
GARY NEVILLE
Cut him in half and, like a stick of rock, he’d have United running through him.
Wore his heart on his sleeve and his work ethic transformed the least talented of his peers into Old Trafford’s best right-back.
Both for club and country, for a decade and more, there was nobody around who could
argue a serious case for taking the number two shirt off his back.
Added to his solid defensive qualities was his vocal encouragement that kept United in tow at the back.
RIO FERDINAND
The Ferdinand-Nemanja Vidic ticket of today, that formed in 2006, was the first solid answer to the Bruce and Pallister combo of the late-80s to mid-90s, so I have taken one from each.
Mr Cool, the unflappable England star, has been the perfect complement to the robust Vidic and he’d fit snugly with Bruce in the same manner.
Few thought he’d stick around the Manchester scene when the Londoner signed in 2002 but he’s a United man now and that sense of loyalty and hunger, matched to his qualities, puts him in the Hall of Fame.
STEVE BRUCE
The Geordie would run through brick walls for United. Marshalled the '94 Dream Team superbly at the back and had a volatile working line of communication with Schmeichel that ensured a tight rein at the back!
Followed Bryan Robson as an inspirational captain leading by example and allied to his defensive duties Brucie was also a major threat from set pieces.
PATRICE EVRA
His main competitor for the left-back berth in this fantasy XI was obviously Denis Irwin.
Irwin was always Fergie’s Mr 7/10, had a goal or two in him from set-pieces and wasn’t afraid to charge forward.
However, after a tentative start, Evra is now rated as one of the best left-backs in the world and has a certain entertainment value in his game that maybe catches the eye more than Denis did.
DAVID BECKHAM
How many assists did Beckham provide for Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole in the 1999 Treble year? How many did he put on a plate for Ruud van Nistelrooy with that fabulous right-foot delivery?
It’s a stat that few other providers in any club could match. Beckham’s seven years as a senior regular were crammed with priceless moments, including his free-kick repertoire, and, of course, a few publicity incidents that eventually wore Fergie down.
But he was the man of that generation who you couldn’t keep out of the headlines.
ROY KEANE
Passionate, driven, inspirational – the descriptions are many and justified for Keano.
The cold-eyed stare, the bulging veins in his temple, the clenched fist – he bullied and rallied his colleagues and intimidated opponents.
His leadership of the United dressing room is legendary but it would be wrong to include the controversial Irishman simply for his fighting qualities.
He also provided a subtle prompting in the midfield with his passing. You just cannot create an engine room, either on paper or in reality, and omit Keane.
PAUL SCHOLES
The player most wanted worldwide by opponents but nobody ever made an enquiry because they knew it was futile.
The Salford-born and Manc- raised ginger magician was most comfortable on home territory.
Not for Scholesy the bright lights. The famous T-shirt summed it up: “Turned up, played, ***** off.” And how he played when he turned up.
Wonderful footballing brain and the ability to carry out the instructions. His creativity and vision has had United fans drooling and gasping for years.
RYAN GIGGS
Was a virtual ever-present in the defining first title for 26 years in 1993 and is still making a huge contribution in 2011.
If anyone can discover a new unused superlative for Giggs, then it would be most welcome!
The astonishing Welshman’s weaving runs tore opponents apart and he destroyed the very best full-backs in Europe wide on the wing.
Now he’s combined that with a subtle central-midfield role that has added a new dimension to the memories of United’s all- time top appearance maker.
ERIC CANTONA
The catalyst for the title breakthrough in the early 90s. The enigmatic and controversial Frenchman was just what United needed to force them over the line in 1992-93.
It was a marriage made in heaven brought together by match-maker Fergie out of the blue with one his jaw-dropping masterstrokes.
Unlocked defensive doors with his genius.
He got bums off their seats and inspired the old guard of the 1994 Dream Team and then the new generation of 1995 onwards.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
United’s first World Footballer of the Year and was the stimulant for the three title years of 2007, 2008 and 2009, plus the Champions League success in 2008 in Moscow.
Started his Old Trafford career as a teenager labelled as a one-trick pony but evolved into one of the most skilful, dangerous, creative and destructive players the club have ever seen.
He had his infuriating traits but his mesmeric skills gained a new partner in crime when he added a phenomenal goal-scoring rate to his ability.
SUBS:
EDWIN VAN DER SAR
Could well have ousted Schmeichel as the number one choice had Fergie bought him in 1999 when the Dane left and the Dutchman was on offer.
NEMANJA VIDIC
Toss up between him, Jaap Stam and Gary Pallister for the central defensive back-up. The Serb has become a cult hero and gets the nod just because he’s now become a formidable captain.
DENIS IRWIN
I know he did make a mistake once because I recall Fergie being astonished about it but cannot recall what or where it was. He was that kind of full back – on either flank.
BRYAN ROBSON
He’d be a shoo-in central midfield had his most dominant years matched up with United’s glory years.
MARK HUGHES
Sparky was a scorer of spectacular goals and a pain in the backside for opponents!
OLE SOLSKJAER
One of the most intelligent players when sat on the bench, according to Fergie, because he watched intently and thus had impact when he came on.
WAYNE ROONEY
We’ve seen the best and worst of Rooney but the England striker does drive United when he’s at the top of his game.
Stuart Mathieson picks Sir Alex Ferguson's dream XI
May 12, 2011
Comments
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Not bad, but mine would be
Schmeichel GK
Hargreaves RB
Vidic CB
Ferdinand CB
Evra LB
Robson CM
Scholes CM
Giggs LM
Ronaldo RM
Cantona AMF
Rooney CF
Schmeichel
G.Neville Ferdinand Vidic Irwin
Keane (c) Scholes
Ronaldo Giggs
Cantona Rooney
-----------------------------------------------------
My only fear about this team is the feasibility of Rooney & Cantona to strike up a partnership.
I know the above is hard on Ruud; Robbo & Becks but like SAF you have to be ruthless
Good selection.
Schmeichel haves to be the #1, he is the greatest goalkeeper of all time.
G.Neville, Ferdinand, Bruce, Evra is a great back line.
Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs is the absolute eprfect midfield.
The King Eric Cantona and the best player in the world Cristiano Ronaldo up front would scare the life out of everyone.
Very strong sub bench to - Van der Sar, Vidic, Irwin, Robson, Hughes, Solskjaer and Rooney....I would probably of had Cole, Yorke or Van Nistelrooy ahead of Rooney on the bench but that is a great squad and its a shame it will never be as it would be unstoppable and rule the world.
Just shows the sort of players that Sir Alex Ferguson has blessed us with, the greatest manager of all time has never let us down and now we have a new super squad in the works with Star man Javier Hernandez, Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick, Park, Valencia, Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Rooney, Welbeck, Macheda, Cleverley, Tunnicliffe, Norwood, Morrison, Pogba aswell as the ageless legend that is SIR Ryan Giggs and hopefully Scholes sticks around for another year.
Cant wait to see who Fergie brings in the summer, we have to get Sanchez and a keeper is a must.
It will be really interesting to see the different variations to Stuart's team and for me every ones choice would be right.
But for me. I would swap Rio for Paul McGrath who IMO was the best CB the club has ever had. A footballing genius was Paul who could also dish it out.
Denis Irwin for Patrice. The constant marks out of ten with a 7 from SAF, mentioned by Stuart I think is on the low side. Pat has had his dips in form that Denis didn't seem to suffer with.
Robbo for Keano but it's close.
I would move Ronnie to the right in place of Becks because there was more to Ronnies game than Beck's game and bring in Sparky along side Eric. I have never seen anybody with the ability to hold the ball up like Sparky could and what a shot too.
And maybe just maybe Vidic for Brucey. But another close call.
Schmeichel ( Very close call with VDS)
Irwin
Evra
Stam
Ferdinand
keane
Scholes
Giggs
Ronaldo
Rooney
Cantona
Subs : VDS , Vidic, G Neville, Nani , Van Nistelrooy, Beckham , Hughes.
My pick;
van der Sar - Neville, Vidic, Ferdinand, Irwin - Beckham, Cantona, Keane, Giggs - Ronaldo - Rooney. Subs: Schmeichel, Evra, Johnsen, Stam, Scholes, Nistelrooy, Solskjær and Valencia
The Stam/Johnsen were a far better combo than Bruce/Pallister - ok, Bruce/Pallister were rock solid in the PL, but in Europe their weaknesses were easy to spot, lack of pace the most obvious.
For me van der Sar now is a bigger United-hero than Schmeichel, his influence on the players around him, like Raphael, is great - their confidence grows with him around. Don't think the great dane had that influence on the squads younger players.
Valencia is picked (as sub though) because of the years to come - world class winger!
Sorry but I would play Ronaldo in the Beckham slot and have Van Nistelrooy up front. Beckham on the bench.
Schmeichal
Irwin
McGrath
Vidic
Evra
Ronaldo
Robson
Keane
Giggs
Cantona
Van Nistelrooy
really tough choice such has been the wealth of quality throughout the years. extremely difficult to whittle it down to 11 but if i had to i would say
Schmeichel (just about)
Evra
Vidic
Ferdinand
Neville
Giggs
Keane
Scholes
Ronaldo
Rooney
Cantona
subs
VDS, irwin, stam, bruce, robbo, ruud, becks
Mine would be
...................................Taibi.......................................
Simpson........Prunier............Cathcart.........Richardson
Milne..........Djemba x2..........Kleberson..........Bellion
.....................Forlan...............Obertan.......................
Just kidding! ;)
are you having a laugh yes giggs is a legend & been an outstanding servant to united but van nistelrooy was a way better player & also ronaldo was a winger not striker so put ronaldo on the wing with cantona & rvn up top!!!
also i would have vidic in the team over rio or bruce & irwin was a much better player than evra who had alot more ability on the ball. its close to call between schmichael & vds but schmichael came back to the pl and joined city so for that vds is my no1
.....................................................vds
neville...........................rio.........................vidic.......................irwin
beckham....................keane....................scholes..................ronaldo
.................................................cantona
....................................................rvn
subs; schmichael, evra, bruce, robson, giggs, rooney, ole
haha well done Stuart... you stuck a bench of subs in there to ward off criticism and cover your indecision. What about Samantha Mumba? And where is Quinton Fortune might I add...? How could these two legends of our club be forgotten? My first 11 would be...
Taibi
Hogg, Prunier, May, Sidebottom
David Bell end, Fortune, Samantha Mumba, Chadwick
Dong (in a link up role)
Birtles
CHAMPIONS (in all but name)
shmeichel.
neville. stam . ferdinand irwin
beckham robson keane giggs
cantona ronaldo.
subs
scholes vidic evra vds kanchelskis rooney rvn
Schmeichel
Neville
Ferdinand
Vidic
Evra
Ronaldo
Keane
Scholes
Giggs
Cantona
Nistelrooy
Bench:
Sar
Irwin
Stam
Robson
Beckham
Rooney
Irwin was consistently good, but Evra's max ability is higher, while he's also consistent and rarely injured.
Stam and Vidic are quite similar, but Stam's shorter stay and Vidic's goals gives him the edge. Bruce was a great captain, but not the same class as these.
If we were talking Bryan Robson of the eighties, the choice would have been so much harder, but Scholes & Keane cannot be touched when it came to winning titles.
Beckham? Sorry, but we've got Giggs and Ronaldo. Enough said.
Rooney and Hughes: Cantona is Cantona, and Ruud averaged 30 goals a season while terrifying Europe. But the Rooney of last season and this run-in is on course to better RvN, so let's see in a season or two ;-)
my central defence pairing vidic to play along side stam who was the best central defender to wear uniteds red and how the hell can you not include irwin an i honestly would would be tossing a coin between rooney and dwight yorke cant argue with the rest my heart says bryan robson my head says instead of who
Van Der Sar
Neville
Ferdinand
Vidic
Irwin
Ronaldo
Scholes
Keane
Giggs
Cantona
Hughes
Schmeichel
Neville
Rio
Bruce, no Vidic, no Bruce (toughest choice for me)
Evra
Ronaldo
Keano
Scholes
Giggs
Cantona
RVN
Bench: VDS, Vidic, Irwin, Robbo, Beckham, Rooney & Solskjaer
First 11 Second 11 Third 11
Schmeichel VDS VanDerGouw
Gary Nev Parker Phil Nev
Irwin Evra Sharp
Keane Robson Carrick
Pallister McGrath Ferdinand
Stam Vidic Bruce
Ronaldo Kanchelskis Valencia
Scholes Rooney Carrick
VanNistlerooy Hughes Cole
Cantona Sherringham Yorke
Giggs Beckham Nani
Apologies to Big Norm,Ole and other greats who just missed out.
Even the 3rd team would be Champions in their own right.
Schmeichel
Irwin Stam Vidic/Bruce Evra
Scholes Keane(c) Giggs
Ronaldo Rooney
Cantona
Was a hard choice to leave Rio, Robson and Ole out, GNeville not so much but hey everyone has their own perspective and opinion so heres mine.
Schmeichel; G.Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Keane, Scholes, Giggs; Rooney, Cantona. Subs; Van Der Sar, Bruce, Stam, Beckham, Valencia, Sheringham, Van Nistelrooy
Schmeichel; G.Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Scholes, Keane, Giggs; Rooney, Cantona. Subs; Van Der Sar, Bruce, Stam, Beckham, Robson, Sheringham, Van Nistelrooy.
Just reading everyone's posts and it's so fantastic how we've been blessed during Fergie's reign.The names just keep triggering different memories over the years!
..............................Van Der Sar.......................
Parker..........Ferdinand..........Vidic..........Evra
Beckham........Keane............Scholes......Giggs
.....................Cantona..........Ronaldo...............
Subs: Schmeichel, G.Neville, Stam, Valencia, Robson, Rooney, Cole
When will MEN be doing one of these for Mancini? He must be close to using the same amount of players in his 17 months at CoMS as SAF in the last 25 years at OT.
My team:-
Schmeichel
Irwin
Bruce
Vidic
G Neville
Giggs
Scholes
Keane
Ronaldo
Van Nistelrooy
Hughes