Manchester United & Manchester City: 2011/2011 Manchester All-Star Squad
Manchester United versus Manchester City. Red versus Blue. Until this season, triumphant Big Brother versus downtrodden Little Brother.
But for “Blue Moon” singers everywhere, the 2010/2011 season will be marked as City’s return to prominence, capturing the club's first silverware in decades with the FA Cup and a third-place finish in the league, ushering them into next year’s Champions League.
Still, while City supporters were dancing in the streets, United fans were pointing to another Derby sweep (and one of the goals of the decade from Wayne Rooney), a record 19th English Premier League title, and yet another run to the Final of the Champions League.
In the city where the first atom was split, the red and blue sides of Manchester are as divided as two entities can be, despite the mere five miles separating the two stadiums. But what if the two clubs were fused together as part of an All-Star squad?
This explosive combination would undoubtedly lead to boiled-over tempers, but also would give the world one of the best collections of talent it has ever seen on a pitch.
The following players make up the 2010/2011 Manchester All-Star squad.
Edwin Van Der Sar: Goalkeeper
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The now-retired Dutch keeper arguably had the best season of his career.
His leadership and minding of the Red Devils' net was world-class and his distribution from the back had no equal.
Van Der Sar is also the perfect steadying influence for an all-star squad full of so many volatile personalities.
Patrice Evra: Defender
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Evra once again anchored the left side of United's defense, effectively pairing with Nani, Giggs, and even Wayne Rooney at times this year down the flank.
His energy and passing will be welcome assets for the All-Stars.
Vincent Kompany: Defender
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A rock in the middle of the defense, literally and figuratively, Kompany brought his bruising athleticism to more games than any outfield player in City's lineup this season.
His aerial ability and toughness are surpassed only by his durability.
Nemanja Vidic: Defender
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Vidic was, in the eyes of many observers, the best player in the world this season.
With loads of uncertainty at United's other center back spot, Vidic paired with Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, and a hobbled Rio Ferdinand to lead United to excellent results this season.
With Vidic alongside Kompany, the opposing team stands absolutely no chance of winning a ball in the air.
Micah Richards: Defender
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Richards, even at such a young age, has already become world-known for his immense physical strength, leaping ability, and pace down the right flank.
His brutish style is punctuated by storming runs along the touch line and soaring headers from set pieces.
Ryan Giggs: Midfielder
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Giggs, despite his turbulent season off the pitch, managed to reinvent himself (again) on it.
Stepping in as the passing lynchpin in the United midfield, Giggs was able to turn his guile and field vision into a new role in the center of the United's attack.
His leadership and effort set a tone for United's glorious domestic and international season.
Yaya Toure: Midfielder
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On the subject of reinventions, Yaya Toure made the switch from defensive, holding midfielder at Barcelona to attacking midfielder at Eastlands.
The transition could not have been smoother. Toure's loping pace along with his powerful shot (as evidenced by the lone goal in the FA Cup final) propelled City to never-before-seen heights.
The Ivorian came to Manchester with high hopes and has somehow exceeded them.
David Silva: Midfielder
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Silva and his creative style of play took a few games to settle in to the English game, but once the acclimation was complete, the results were breathtaking.
Manager Roberto Mancini adapted his tactics to allow Silva the freedom to roam the pitch, picking perfect passes and beating defenders off the dribble with regularity.
Despite his small frame, Silva made a gigantic impact in his first season in the Premier League.
Javier Hernandez: Forward
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Possibly the signing of the season after coming over from Guadalajara, "Chicharito" made the massive leap from the Mexican League to an eventual starting position in a Champions League Final.
His pace is outstanding, but more vitally, the intelligence and suddenness of his movement make him an ideal choice up front for the Manchester All-Stars.
Carlos Tevez: Forward
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Tevez backed up his fantastic first season on the Blue side of Manchester with an equally impressive individual season in 2010/2011.
He asserted himself as a leader, serving as captain numerous times and helping the City squad come together.
While his season was marred by family issues and a demand to leave Eastlands (which still may occur this summer), his play on the field was second to none.
Though his calling card is his bulldog-like style of play, his goals this season were some of the year's most beautifully crafted.
Wayne Rooney: Forward
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Speaking of a tumultuous season which included off-the-pitch problems and a demand to leave Manchester, Tevez's former teammate—Wayne Rooney—completes the starting squad for the Manchester All-Stars.
Having scored the goal of his life at Old Trafford when City and United met in February, Wayne Rooney's mark on the Manchester Derby is already indelible.
Sinking into more of a playmaker role this season, based on the success of Dimitar Berbatov and Hernandez up front, Rooney showed his versatility and class in passing and operating an attack.
His 2010/2011 season showed just how much he deserves to wear Number 10 for the Red Devils.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Manager
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Sir Alex presented a master class in management this season, juggling his lineup due to numerous injuries, manipulating players' roles to get the most out of their talent, and using squad players to keep stars fresh.
Throw in the shrewd purchase of Chicharito and you have one of the most effective jobs a manager has done in the Premier League in years.
When managing the Manchester All-Stars, though, Ferguson's main "problem" will be choosing who comes off the bench.
In fact, the All-Stars' bench would look like a full All-Star squad in its own right.
Manchester All-Stars Bench
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Manchester All-Stars Bench:
GK: Joe Hart
D: Pablo Zabaleta
M: Ji Sung Park
M: Nani
M: Nigel De Jong
F: Dmitar Berbatov
F: Mario Balotelli
