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Man United all time wonderkid XI

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Manchester United’s academy has produced some of the greatest players to grace the beautiful game, but how do they all fit into a team?

Just 11 choices from a plethora of sensational talent that’s risen up the ranks at The Cliff, Carrington you name it.

While there are some easy picks in this list, others are more surprising…

GK: David Gaskell

United have been blessed in the goalkeeping department throughout its history.

Harry Gregg, Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea the standout names.  But one you might not have expected in this list is David Gaskell.

Gaskell was an English goalkeeper who made his senior debut for United at just 16 years old.

He was at the club from 1956-1968 but wasn’t with the squad when the Munich Air Disaster occurred.

Gaskell made 96 appearances for the club, which in 12 years isn’t a lot, but he was back up to Gregg, who was one of the greatest goalkeepers to play football.

His career defining moment came in 1963 when he started in United’s FA Cup win against Leicester City.

RB: Gary Neville

19 years at the club, there was no-one else it could be.

Gary Neville, one of the iconic Class of 92 is everything you’d want from an academy graduate.

He was consistent and devoted throughout his time at the club.

This led to Neville captaining United from 2005-2011.

He made 598 appearances at the club, winning eight Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues, as well as an abundance of other trophies.

Neville knew exactly what it meant to play for the club.

CB: Bill Foulkes

Another one to test your knowledge.

Bill Foulkes was one of Sir Matt Busby’s men.

He joined the club in 1950, leaving two decades later in 1970.

Foulkes made his first team debut in 1952.

Like a few on this list, he was a one club man, making 688 appearances at United, the fourth most ever. He captained the club after surviving the Munich Air Disaster.

In the semi-finals of the 1968 European Cup, Foulkes scored a rare goal to secure United a 4-3 victory over Real Madrid on aggregate.

The rest is history…

CB: John O’Shea

The man who nutmegged Figo.

John O’Shea isn’t the first name you think of when talking about United’s academy players, but boy was he an important one!

O’Shea joined United’s academy as a teenager in 1998 and had 13 incredible years at the club, before leaving in 2011 for Sunderland.

He made 394 appearances across a number of positions but predominantly centre half.

This versatility made him an invaluable asset for Sir Alex Ferguson.

The nutmeg wasn’t the only classic O’Shea moment either…

LB: Phil Neville

Like his brother Gary, Phil Neville was an important part of Ferguson’s title winning teams.

He was also one of the Class of 92, spending 11 years at the club before moving to Everton.

Neville made 384 appearances for United.

While he wasn’t as prolific as his brother, Neville will still be remembered for his utility throughout his career. As well as a certain skill.

CM: Paul Scholes

There will never be another player quite like Paul Scholes.

He was special.

He was always one step ahead of everyone on the pitch.

Scholes was another of the Class of 92, racking up 713 appearances for United in his 20 years at the club.

To really grasp how good Scholes was, just read this quote from Barcelona legend Xavi.

He said: “In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen – the most complete – is Scholes.”

Sensational.

CM: Duncan Edwards

One of the tragic losses in Munich, Duncan Edwards was destined to be an-all-time great.

He made his first team debut at just 16 years of age.

Edwards mainly operated in midfield but could also play in defence.

His reputation was outstanding.

“In Duncan Edwards, I believe I have the greatest footballer in the world,” said Sir Matt Busby in 1957.

The late Sir Bobby Charlton was also full of praise for Edwards.

He said: “I totally believe he was the best player I ever saw or am likely to see.

“I feel terrible trying to explain to people just how good he was, his death was the biggest single tragedy ever to happen to Manchester United and English football.

“I always felt I could compare well with any player – except Duncan. He didn’t have a fault with his game.”

The impact Edwards made in his 153 appearances at United will live long in the memory of this football club.

CM: Sir Bobby Charlton

Where do you begin.

Charlton is a United legend, an England legend and a footballing legend.

He’s widely perceived as one of the greatest English players ever, if not the greatest.

He was top goal scorer of the Three Lions (49) before Wayne Rooney (53) and Harry Kane (68) overtook him.

In 1966 he helped England win the World Cup, winning England footballer of the year and the Ballon d’Or as well.

Two years later, he was instrumental in United’s 1968 European Cup success, 10 years on from surviving the Munich Air Disaster.

No amount of words can truly illustrate the greatness of Charlton and his career.

RM: David Beckham

The penultimate Class of 92 representative on this list.

David Beckham was a sensational footballer.

His right foot was like a wand, he could produce magic time and time again.

Beckham made 390 appearances for United, scoring 85 goals and assisting 121.

In 1999 he won the treble with United, alongside UEFA’s best player in Europe award. This came just a year after the public onslaught on him following his red card which led to England getting knocked out of the World Cup.

It wouldn’t be an analysis about Beckham without mentioning THAT goal.

Iconic.

LM: Ryan Giggs

The Premier League’s most decorated player. Ryan Giggs won all 13 of United’s league titles since 1992. He’s the third highest appearance maker in Premier League history with 632. James Milner and Gareth Barry sit above him on 637 and 653 appearances respectively.

Giggs was an unstoppable winger who terrorised defences week in week out.

Just ask the 1999 Arsenal defence.

ST: George Best

Now you might be thinking, George Best wasn’t a striker. Yes, he wasn’t, but he had to be in this list. So just for today, let’s pretend he did play upfront. Because an all time United wonderkid squad, wouldn’t be right without Best.

To this day, his chant races around the Stretford End, with fans in full voice for the United legend.

Best was part of the ‘United Trinity,’ with Charlton and Denis Law.

He won the Ballon d’Or in 1968, after winning the fabled European Cup.

Here’s Diego Maradona’s opinion on the Busby Babe.

He said: “George inspired me when I was young. He was flamboyant and exciting and able to inspire his team-mates. I actually think we were very similar players – dribblers who were able to create moments of magic.”

A player like no other.