A while ago on this website, I chose my greatest Manchester United team. This was chosen on the basis of players that I had seen during my life of being a fan. George Best, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, Paddy Crerand, Lou Macari, Martin Buchan, Norman Whiteside, Paul McGrath and Bryan Robson, to name but a few, were all legends and heroes of their own era. Unfortunately for me, I was not around to marvel in the splendour of such talent. I now feel its time to begin my Worst XI. This, as is the Ultimate XI, would be an ever changing process, but one of which I would need a starting point.
Being in my late 30’s, I am well aware that football began before the Premier League era. My earliest memories are from the year 1990. Manchester United were lounging in mid table, finishing 13th I believe, but would go on to win the FA Cup. The 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in the replay after the original tie ended in a 3-3 draw, would ignite a feeling inside me which a month later, would be hammered home in the way of Italia ’90.
For anyone who missed my Ultimate United XI, here’s a quick recap.
4-4-2 ( of course )
GK- Peter Schmeichel
RB – Gary Neville
LB – Denis Irwin
CB – Jaap Stam
CB – Nemanja Vidic
RW – David Beckham
CM – Roy Keane
CM – Paul Scholes
LW – Ryan Giggs
ST – Eric Cantona
ST – Ruud Van Nistelrooy
The following players missed out by the skin of their teeth:
Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Les Sealey ( cult hero ) .
Over the coming weeks, I shall begin a one to eleven of players who quite frankly, should not have ever been given the privilege of wearing the red of Manchester United. There have been some shocking signings and some players who could not fulfil their potential at Old Trafford.
Even the modern day squad is not safe! I mean after the last few months, I could literally name them as my one to eleven but I am bigger than that. Stay tuned to see who makes the grade and why. Players will be selected from goalkeeper to striker. A clue on the first player to make the cut… the blind Venetian.
Ole’s at the wheel.