Wayne Rooney has named the ultimate Manchester United XI from his time at the club, and it will have most Red Devils fans crying tears of nostalgia and grief.
We caught up with United and England’s record goalscorer ahead of his reunion with his former club in the FA Cup fifth-round.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men travel to Pride Park on Thursday evening to take on Rooney’s Derby County side – with full commentary LIVE on talkSPORT.
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Wayne Rooney is aiming to knock his old club Manchester United out the FA Cup
It’ll be the EIGHTH time in his career he has played against the Red Devils, and Rooney has told talkSPORT he wants his old club to lose and even vowed to celebrate if he scored against them.
During our interview, we asked the striker-cum-midfielder-cum-coach to select his 10 best teammates to create Rooney’s all-star Man United XI including himself – with the ex-England skipper leading the line of course.
And when he began to reel off the names of some of the greatest players the Premier League has ever seen, it just proved how far United have fallen and how much work needs to be done to get them back to the top.
What a team this is! Starting with between the posts…
Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar
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The experienced Dutchman won four Premier League titles in six seasons at Manchester United.
Joining from Fulham for around £2m, he remains the oldest player to ever win the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson labelled him the finest goalkeeper to play in a Red Devils shirt since Peter Schmeichel.
High praise indeed.
Right-back: Gary Neville
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A Class of 92 legend and one-club man, G Nev made over 600 appearances for Man United and is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time.
He won a total of 20 trophies, including eight Premier League titles and two European Cups.
Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic
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Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are one of the best centre-back pairings the English game has even seen.
They won five Premier League trophies and one Champions League together, and United’s back-four has never been the same since they both departed Old Trafford in 2014.
Left-back: Patrice Evra
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He loves this game.
Evra spent eight-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League – not bad for £5.5m.
Later handed the captain’s armband, Evra was also named in both the FIFA and UEFA teams of the year in 2009, after helping United to the Premier League/League Cup double.
Jamie O’Hara explains why Wayne Rooney shouldn’t celebrate against Man United
Left-wing: Ryan Giggs
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What is there to say about Giggsy?
He has the third-most league titles in English football history. The only two above him aren’t even players players, they’re clubs – Man United and Liverpool!
He hung up his boots with 1,036 career appearances for club and country, after 23 years in the United first-team.
A once in a generation player.
Centre midfield: Paul Scholes and Micheal Carrick
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Another Class of 92 legend and one-club man, Scholes is regarded as one of the finest and most complete English midfielders ever.
He was so good Fergie brought him out of his brief retirement to rescue his injury-hit squad.
Carrick was his partner and then successor in central midfield, spending 12 years at Old Trafford, and over his career won every domestic honour in the English game.
Right-wing: Cristiano Ronaldo
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Is Ronaldo Man United’s GOAT?
The Portuguese went on to become one of the best players in football history with Real Madrid, but still won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup, one Community Shield, one Champions League and one Club World Cup during his time in England – all before the age of 25.
He scored United’s goal in the 2008 CL final and won the 2008 Ballon d’Or during his spell at Old Trafford.
No doubts about this one.
Centre-forward: Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney
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Despite his traitorous move to Man City, Tevez is still a hero with most United fans.
He and Rooney developed a lethal partnership which helped fire United to consecutive Champions League finals in 2008 and 2009.
Wayne Rooney’s ultimate Man United XI:
You can listen to full commentary of Derby vs Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth-round, LIVE on talkSPORT!
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