Manchester United's All-Time Premier League Squad Based on Shirt Numbers
The brief: to pull together an all-time Premier League matchday squad for Manchester United.
There is a twist, though. Each squad number can only be used once, so if Eric Cantona is picked, Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be.
In theory, we would use Nos. 1 to 18, but there is one minor cheat where No. 12 is replaced by No. 19 for reasons that will become clear.
Anyone who had a squad number for United during the Premier League era is eligible. Some positions pick themselves. Some are more controversial, but there is quality throughout. Let's take a look at who makes the mythical squad.
1. Peter Schmeichel
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Because of a numerical twist of fate regarding a certain Dutchman, the goalkeeping position came down to a debate between Peter Schmeichel and David De Gea.
Schmeichel holds on to the shirt for a couple of reasons. The first is the amount of silverware United won with the Great Dane between the sticks.
That is a little harsh on De Gea, who has been excellent in much less impressive United sides, but the second and more pertinent reason is that Schmeichel remains the best 'keeper ever to play for United, in spite of De Gea's brilliance. He might be a notch below the Spain No. 1 in terms of shot-stopping and reflexes, but his utter dominance of his area and incredible distribution keep him in the side.
2. Gary Neville
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No debate here. Gary Neville made the No. 2 shirt his own for a generation. His 602 appearances have him fifth in the all-time appearance table for competitive United games.
Always an excellent defender, Neville took learning his craft seriously and developed into an attacking threat later in his career, as his crossing got better and better. The embodiment of the dream of a United fan getting to play for the club, he is the definitive No. 2 of his era.
3. Denis Irwin
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There may be a little more cause for argument here, with Patrice Evra worthy of serious consideration. But legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson one said, per Independent.ie:
"Honestly, I would say Denis Irwin would be the one certainty to get in the [all-time Ferguson era] team. I called him an eight out of 10. At Highbury in one game he had a bad pass back in the last minute and [Dennis] Bergkamp came in and scored.
After the game, the press said 'you must be disappointed in that pass back.'
I said, 'well, one mistake in 10 years isn't bad.' He was an unbelievable player.
"
If he is good enough for Sir Alex, he is good enough to take the No. 3 shirt in this squad.
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4. Steve Bruce
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One of the early Premier League-era greats, Steve Bruce was Ferguson's captain and one of his stalwarts. His competition for the shirt comes in the form of Gabriel Heinze and Juan Sebastian Veron, but neither Argentinian can unseat Bruce, who makes the grade as a United legend.
Whether he would get in the first team here is subject to debate—such is the competition at centre-back—but the combative defender with an eye for a set-piece goal was a vital part of Sir Alex's first great side. That he never got an international call-up was a travesty.
5. Rio Ferdinand
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One of the reasons Bruce might not get into the first XI is the presence of Rio Ferdinand. The classiest defender of his generation, Sir Alex built his last great side around the presence of Ferdinand and the man who (spoiler warning) takes the No. 15 shirt in this list.
Incredibly comfortable on the ball, Ferdinand was a master organiser of the defence, making every player who partnered him look their best. He wore the No. 5 with pride, and it became synonymous with him. He's an obvious pick.
6. Jaap Stam
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Though his United career was nowhere near as long as either Ferdinand's or Bruce's, Jaap Stam's peaks were as high as any Premier League era centre-halves'. He could be aptly described as Nemanja Vidic and Ferdinand rolled into one, matching the physical dominance of the former and the latter's comfort on the ball.
Stam bestrode the 1999 treble-winning back line like a colossus, and he was sorely missed following his departure in 2001, when Sir Alex sold him too soon. Indeed, it was not until Ferdinand and Vidic were brought together five years later that Stam was adequately replaced.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo
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The hardest decision of the lot. This was a fight between David Beckham's creativity and set-piece contribution, Eric Cantona's leadership and goals and Cristiano Ronaldo's all-around attacking brilliance.
In the end, Ronaldo won out for two reasons. First, he provides the most tactical flexibility, in that he can be deployed anywhere across the front line or on either flank in midfield.
And second, it is hard to argue that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner is not the out-and-out best player of the three. His 2007/08 season might just be the best of any United player ever.
With apologies to Cantona and Beckham, Ronaldo takes the spot.
8. Wayne Rooney
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It is convenient that Wayne Rooney has had two numbers during his United career because he was always going to be included in this squad, and giving him the No. 8 shirt leaves the No. 10 free for another great United goalscorer.
It works on another level too, because, in truth, Wayne Rooney the No. 8 was probably a better player than Rooney the No. 10. His best seasons as a goalscorer came with the latter number on his back, but the sheer football brilliance of Rooney No. 8 was a sight to behold.
His energy and bustle, his end product, his willingness to try the extraordinary—all of this was captivating. The blend of silk and steel was never more evident than when he was unpolished. The younger Rooney was quite some player.
9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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Fortunately, there is another numerical trick here that enables the most important United No. 9 of the Premier League era to sneak in later on the list. In Andy Cole's first couple of seasons at United, he sported the No. 17.
That allowed the luxury of the inclusion of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in the squad ahead of Louis Saha and Dimitar Berbatov. Both were fine United players, but neither was on the level of Ibrahimovic's excellence. His best days may be behind him, but his impact is still undeniable.
He would likely be on the bench here, which might annoy him a bit, but imagine having him come on late in a game with a point to prove? It could be devastating.
10. Ruud van Nistelrooy
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It is tempting to just write "Ruuuuuuuuud" here by way of explanation because no explanation is needed. He scored 150 goals in 219 United appearances, which is a staggering record in the modern era, especially given that United were not that good for most of his time at the club.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is one of the greatest goalscorers ever and a surefire pick for this squad.
11. Ryan Giggs
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The easiest pick on the list so far—even Gary Neville has more competition for his No. 2 shirt spot than Ryan Giggs does for the No. 11.
Giggs is one of only three players to wear the No. 11 as a squad number at United, the others being Anthony Martial and Adnan Januzaj.
He made a remarkable 963 appearances for the Red Devils, as he morphed from flying winger to scheming central midfielder, and he might be needed in either capacity in this squad.
Quite possibly the greatest of all the United greats, Giggs obviously gets the No. 11.
13. Park Ji-Sung
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Having skipped the No. 12—with apologies to Bryan Robson and Chris Smalling—in order to pick at No. 19, we go straight to No. 13.
And what a No. 13 it is, a player any manager would be glad to have in any matchday squad. The talent on display in this collection means the manager of this side would probably not need Park Ji-Sung to do a job on an opposing creative player, but if they did, he would surely be ready.
His versatility and work rate more than made up for the fact his quality was not equal to the United greats, and it ensured he was always popular with the Old Trafford faithful.
14. Andrei Kanchelskis
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The No. 14 shirt sees a straight fight between Javier Hernandez and Andrei Kanchelskis.
Kanchelskis takes it for two reasons. First, there are enough centre-forwards in the squad already, and second, with David Beckham missing out on the No. 7 spot, an out-and-out right-winger brings much-needed balance.
It is not a compromise in terms of quality. The former Russia international was a vital part of United's squad when they started winning league titles, and his departure in 1995 was unpopular. His lightning speed made him a huge threat on the counter-attack. Having Kanchelskis to come off the bench in this squad would be a huge asset.
15. Nemanja Vidic
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Another pretty easy choice, Vidic is, with apologies to Jesper Blomqvist, the only iconic No. 15 of United's Premier League era.
Sir Alex's last captain, Vidic's partnership with Ferdinand was solid and productive, but both men were called upon to play alongside younger defenders. Vidic was a by-example leader rather than the talker Ferdinand was, and his willingness to put his body on the line made him a huge crowd favourite at Old Trafford.
Like Bruce, he had a knack for popping up with important goals too, and it will be a long time before the United faithful stop singing his song.
16. Roy Keane
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Michael Carrick has had a long, storied career wearing United's No. 16 on his back, but he was never going to unseat the shirt's previous incumbent. Roy Keane is a certain starter in this squad, and Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic and Bruce would probably be happy to hand him the captaincy too.
An all-time great of the game, the fiercest combatant ever to wear a United shirt and an adroit passer and reader of the game to boot, Keane at his peak was as important a player as ever ran out at Old Trafford. He is close to the first name on the teamsheet here.
17. Andy Cole
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The fact Cole's first two seasons at United saw him sport the No. 17 shirt means he and Ibrahimovic can both make it into the matchday squad.
Cole was a vital part of the 1999 squad and played 275 times for United, scoring 121 goals. Fittingly, given the numerical loophole that saw him included with his original shirt number, that makes him the 17th-highest scorer in Red Devils' history.
His best work for United came in partnership with Dwight Yorke, who does not quite make this selection, but even without his friend and fellow goal magnet, Cole would be a valuable attacking option to have in this squad.
18. Paul Scholes
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Well, it was never going to be Ashley Young, was it?
Paul Scholes is probably the most iconic No. 18 anywhere in football. At the very least, he walks into this squad. He and Keane would likely get first dibs on the central-midfield spots too.
He scored 155 goals in 718 games, making him 10th on the all-time goalscorers' chart and third for total appearances. He was one of the finest players of his generation, lauded by his peers and loved by United fans. There is no competition for him here.
19. Edwin van der Sar
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Edwin van der Sar may have needed a tweak to the rules to include in the squad, but it was worth it.
After all, when the Dutchman arrived from Fulham, Tim Howard still possessed the United No. 1 jersey, so Van der Sar took No. 19.
And what a back-up 'keeper he would be to have. There are those who would select Van der Sar ahead of Schmeichel in their all-time United Premier League XIs. Whether he would be the first pick or not, though, it helps this squad no end that he once wore No. 19 so that both he and the Great Dane make the cut.
All in all, this would make a pretty devastating collection of talent on a matchday teamsheet.
Goals and appearance data per Website of Dreams.
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