Manchester United: Picking an All-Time Foreign Reds XI

Manchester United have fielded some of the world's best players in their long and illustrious history, but it wasn't until 1980 that Nikki Jovanovic became the club's first real foreign Red.

The Yugoslavia international played 21 times for United and was soon followed by Dutchman Arnold Muhren in 1982.

Muhren was a genuine star at Old Trafford, and his success paved the way for the likes of Jesper Olsen, Andrei Kanchelskis and Eric Cantona to make their names at the Theater of Dreams.

Since then, foreign stars have arrived in ever greater numbers. With the introduction of the Premier League in the early 1990s, English football became a melting pot for the world's best talent, and United have been lucky enough to boast more than their fair share.

Here's my United best foreign XI, picked from players born outside of Britain and Ireland.

Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel

Representing: Denmark

United appearances: 393 (1991-99)

Peter Schmeichel is arguably the greatest goalkeeper to put on the gloves for Manchester United.

The Great Dane was hugely influential in the Treble season of 1999 and remains one of Sir Alex Ferguson's best signings.

Right-Back: Rafael

Representing: Brazil

United appearances: 79 (2007-current)

There's an argument for using a central defender like Ronny Johnsen here, but I prefer the option of using a natural right-back in the role.

The 21-year-old Rafael is the standout candidate and will ultimately make the position his own.

Central Defence: Jaap Stam

Representing: Netherlands

United appearances: 120 (1998-2001)

Jaap Stam had a stuttering start to his United career, but the big Dutchman would ultimately prove himself one of the club's most imposing and effective defenders.

Stam was highly influential in the 1999 Treble season, and Sir Alex Ferguson still regrets letting him go in 2001 after the pair had a falling out.

Central Defence: Nemanja Vidic

Representing: Serbia

United appearances: 167 (2004-current)

Manchester United's captain Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season through injury, and his team are clearly missing him.

The imposing Serbian defender formed a superb partnership with Rio Ferdinand and played a big part in United's run to Champions League glory in 2008.

Left-Back: Patrice Evra

Representing: France

United appearances: 276 (2006-current)

Patrice Evra has had his critics this season, but the Frenchman has unquestionably made a big contribution to United's success since joining from Monaco in 2006.

Quick and strong, and an elusive runner on the ball, Evra has at times offered United another dimension going forward.

Right Midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo

Representing: Portugal

United appearances: 292 (2003-09)

Manchester United's players were so impressed with the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo in a preseason friendly against Sporting that they begged Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him.

Ronaldo took a season or so to get going, but when he did, he proved himself one of the most devastating attacking talents in Premier League history.

Central Midfield: Arnold Muhren

Representing: Netherlands

United appearances: 70 (1982-85)

A ball-playing central midfielder who arrived having won two European Cups with the mighty Ajax, Arnold Muhren was only the second overseas player to make his name at Old Trafford, and one of just a handful of foreign talents in England at that time.

Central Midfield: Juan Sebastian Veron

Representing: Argentina

United appearances: 73 (2001-03)

Juan Sebastian Veron was largely deemed a failure during his time at United, but there's really no competition for the second central midfield spot.

Veron had his moments at Old Trafford, but there's no question he failed to justify his £28.1 million transfer fee and ultimately left for Chelsea at a nearly 50-percent discount.

Left Midfield: Nani

Representing: Portugal

United appearances: 185 (2007-current)

The second wide midfield spot is a shootout between Nani and Andrei Kanchelskis, and I think the former has just about done enough to edge it.

Kanchelskis had searing pace and clearly played his role in bringing the good times back to United in the early 1990s, but I'd argue Nani is a better all-round player.

Striker: Eric Cantona

Representing: France

United appearances: 182 (1992-97)

Some would argue the greatest United player of them all, Eric Cantona arrived at Old Trafford in the winter of 1992 to inspire Sir Alex Ferguson's team to a gluttony of success.

Aside from his remarkable touch, vision and finishing prowess, Cantona was a talisman on and off the field to his United teammates—and his legacy lives on.

Striker: Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Representing: Netherlands

United appearances: 293 (2001-06)

The archetypal predatory forward, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored 95 Premier League goals for United in just 150 appearances.