YOUR nEXT FOURFOURTWO IS On SALE DECEMBER 9
PATRICE
EVRALB
RIO
FERDINANDCB
NEMANJA
VIDICCB
ULISES
DE LA CRUZRB
DAVID
DE GEAGK
CHRISTIAN
BENITEZCF
WAYNE
ROONEYCF
LM
RYAN
GIGGSrM
NANICM
MARCOS
SENNACM
PAUL
SCHOLESDAVID DE GEA
“David gave me peace of mind at Old Trafford- he’s like life insurance as a goalkeeper. He’s
a guy with a lot of maturity who’s overcome
some difficult moments at United, especially
in these last two years with competition from
Dean Henderson and criticism in the stands.
Despite being questioned at times, he’s vital
for the team.”
ULISES DE LA CRUZ
“We played together for the Ecuador national
team, and he’d played in England before me
with clubs like Aston Villa. As a defender he
had great ability to lead by example, and was
a player who transmitted that commitment.”RIO FERDINAND
“Ferdinand and Vidic were the best defensive
pair in the world for years. Rio brought a dose
of calm in stressful situations, but he also had
so much character. He was a good outlet for
the ball, positioned himself cleverly and had
a commanding voice to lead the team.”NEMANJA VIDIC
“Nemanja was a guy who gave everything for
the shirt. As an opponent, it wasn’t appetising
to come up against him, as he was a strong
marker willing to sacrifice himself for others.
One of the best team-mates I’ve ever had.”PATRICE EVRA
“The best definition of what a captain is – he
had enough personality to wear the armband
at United. I’m sure people in Manchester
remember Patrice’s attacking runs,
because he was a physical prodigy
with loads of technical quality to
find Robin van Persie or Wayne
Rooney. In the dressing room
he was one of those players
who took the floor, because
he liked to motivate all his
team-mates. A champion.”NANI
“A bullet! He has this
innate talent to dribble
past player after player –
he’s just having fun and
amusing everyone. Nani isa street footballer, and it was quite a sight to
see him play whenever he picked up the ball.
He has a decent shot on him, too.”MARCOS SENNA
“We spent a short time together at Villarreal,
but he showed me he was a team player; one
of those who makes a dressing room better.
Marcos was a simple guy but displayed great
competitiveness on the pitch. He had a good
right foot, and I remember him scoring some
terrific goals in Spain.”PAUL SCHOLES
“Like Lionel Messi, Paul [below] was a player
who expressed himself better on the pitch –
he didn’t talk a lot, and in the dressing room
he was very quiet. With the ball, though, he
managed a game’s tempo like nobody else
and was the brain of our team. Easily one of
the best midfielders I’ve ever played with.”RYAN GIGGS
“His left foot was pure gold. In a dream team,
you can’t leave out the player with the most
appearances in the history of a club as big as
Manchester United. Giggsy was an example
as a professional. Every year he looked after
himself a little more – that was the only way
he could enjoy a long and successful career.
He had immense dedication and his winning
gene took him to the top.”CHRISTIAN BENITEZ
“How I miss him! [He passed away in 2013]
He was a small striker, but strong and really
determined. ‘Chucho’ was an unpredictable
player when he turned – I never knew which
foot he was going to shoot with.”WAYNE ROONEY
“Undoubtedly, one of the Premier
League’s greatest ever players. To
beat Bobby Charlton as United’s
top scorer is only for somebody
with the mentality and ambition
to improve each and every day.
I remember his bicycle kick against
Man City at Old Trafford... wow. The
instinct Rooney had, I didn’t witness
in many others across my career.”
Dani GilMY PERFECT XI
SIR ALEX FERGUSON
“He was very demanding in every session, and
spoke without fear of anything. He said things
to our face, no matter who was in front of him.
Sir Alex didn’t distinguish between his players.”01
SEGUNDO
CASTILLO 03JEFFERSON
02 MONTEROWILSON
PALACIOSAnTOnIO VALEnCIA
THE SUBS
THE GAFFER
The two-time Premier League winner compiles his ideal team of former colleagues
at Manchester United and beyond. Suffice to say, the Ecuadorian is spoilt for choice