Former United winger and RetroUnited.com contributor Jules Maiorana picks his all time Manchester United team.
1: Peter Schmeichel – great commanding keeper, helped win Utd their 1st title n 26 years. Spread himself excellently, hand ball style goalkeeping, which the Danes are good at.
2: Denis Irwin – I’m putting Denis right back as he started his career there. Great all round player, could race forward and cross with both feet and very confident on the ball
3: Patrice Evra – a smart defender with good skills on the ball, which I like. Loves surging forward at pace and at times looks like an old style winger. A good tackler with a great leap in the air. I think United let him go to early and could still be doing a good job for the club
4: Jaap Stam – tall, powerful and great in the air. Very calm on the ball with very good contribution.
5: Paul McGrath – another cool player on the ball. hard, powerful with great calmess in tight situations. Great in the air and a hard tackler.
6: Duncan Edwards – I’m going to have to put him as a right winger. I’ve read he could play in any position and had two great feet. Out of respesct I have to put him. Way before my time but whilst at United his name still rings through your ears at the club. What I’ve read and heard, all rounder great at running forward, superb shot with both feet. Strong powerful and great passing ability. Tragic ending for a great player with the world at his feet.
7: Bryan Robson – Tireless midfielder with with true leadership, a quality you cant’t teach. Was mesmerised by his passing ability when I first trained with him. Made me feel out of my depth coming from a lowly team like Histon, 6 leagues bellow the old 4th division. Did the same excellent job for England.
8: Norman Whiteside – a superb all rounder. Hard tackler. Two great feet. Calm on the ball. Scored goals. Youngest player to score in the FA Cup final, youngest player to play in the World Cup says it all.
10: Eric Cantona – another player who helped win Utd their firsttitle in 26 years. My idols at the time were Italian/latino players. He certainly comes into that category. Abbundance of flair and confidence. Great player with all the great traits of the old number 10
9: Cristiano Ronaldo – too arrogant for my liking, but cant deny his football prowess on the pitch. Rapid, scores goals with both feet and his head. Has been doing it consistantly for many seasons. Easily the second best player of the world behind the genius of Messi
11: George Best – no need to write anything else, his name says it all.
I know I’ve not chosen some great players and some of you will disagree with my best Utd XI. With so many great players who have played for the club it’s been a very difficult thing to do.
