Sir Alex Ferguson best-ever Man United XI: Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona in attack, as Roy Keane and Peter Schmeichel also feature in trophy-laden team

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson turns 80 years old on New Year’s Eve.

The Premier League icon will welcome in his new decade as 2021 comes to an end and the footballing world will be offering their congratulations.

Fergie won it all at United during his glittering managerial career, claiming 13 top-flight titles, five FA Cups and three Champions League trophies.

He’ll forever be remembered as one of the greatest to ever grace the English game and has, of course, managed some of the greatest players too.

But what is his best ever Manchester United XI? This team would certainly take some beating…

GK – Peter Schmeichel 

398 appearances and 1 goal – 15 trophies – 5 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, 4 Community Shield, 1 Champions League and 1 UEFA Super Cup

Imposing, confident and athletic, Schmeichel is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

The Dane won it all at Old Trafford and even has a goal to his name from his time in a Red Devils shirt.

RB – Gary Neville

602 appearances and 7 goals – 20 trophies – 8 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, 3 Community Shield, 2 Champions Leagues, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

In United’s top five appearance makers, Neville was a one club man during his brilliant career.

The full-back is part of the legendary ‘Class of 92’ and has an incredible trophy cabinet.

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CB – Rio Ferdinand

455 appearances and 8 goals – 14 trophies – 6 Premier League, 3 League Cups, 4 Community Shield, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup

Ferdinand was one of Sir Alex’s key big-money deals in the early 2000s and certainly justified his big price-tag.

He and Nemanja Vidic formed one of the Premier League’s most fearsome centre-back duos.

CB – Gary Pallister

317 appearances and 12 goals – 15 trophies – 4 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, League Cup, 5 Community Shield, European Cup Winners’ Cup and European Super Cup

Pallister and Steve Bruce were brilliant at the back for United throughout the 1990s.

The defender was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for the 1991/92 season.

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LB – Denis Irwin

529 appearances and 33 goals – 19 trophies – 7 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, League Cup, 4 Community Shield, Champions League, European Cup Winners Cup, European Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup

An expert at free kicks and penalties, Irwin was a goalscoring defender before it was popular.

The Irishman is widely regarded as one of Sir Alex’s greatest ever signings.

RW – Cristiano Ronaldo

292 appearances and 118 goals (first spell) – 9 trophies – 3 Premier League, FA Cup, two League Cups, Community Shield, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup

Ronaldo cut his teeth at United before going on to become one of the greatest players to ever kick a ball.

CR7 completed his blockbuster return to Old Trafford last summer and will want to create more memories before he hangs up his boots.

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CM – Roy Keane

480 appearances and 51 goals – 17 trophies – 7 Premier League, 4 FA Cups, 4 Community Shield, Champions League and Intercontinental Cup

Keane was the epitome of a hard-working, determined and never-say-die player.

His rivalry with Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira is legendary and they don’t really make them like Keano anymore.

CM – Paul Scholes

718 appearances and 155 goals – 25 trophies – 11 Premier League, 3 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 5 Community Shield, 2 Champions League, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

Arguably the greatest midfielder England has ever seen, Scholes was another one-club man to come from the ‘Class of 92’.

Technically superb, his accurate passing, intelligence and power thriller Old Trafford fans for years.

LW – Ryan Giggs

963 appearances and 168 goals – 35 trophies – 13 Premier League, 4 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 9 Community Shield, 2 Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

Giggs is United’s long-time leading appearance maker and won a shed-load of silverware during his lengthy Old Trafford stint.

A skilful and dynamic left-footed midfielder, the Welshman was another ‘Class of 92’ graduate to do great things at the club.

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CF – Eric Cantona

185 appearances and 82 goals – 9 trophies – 5 Premier League, 2 FA Cup, 3 Community Shield.

It wasn’t all kung-fu kicks and seagulls, you know…

As unpredictable on the pitch with the ball at his feet as he was off it, Cantona is not only remembered as one of the Premier League’s most talented players and scorer of great goals, but a goal provider too.

He was a key player for Fergie during his successful, although short, spell at the club, spending just four years as a United player before announcing his surprise retirement from the game at 30 years old.

CF – Wayne Rooney

559 appearances and 253 goals – 13 trophies (all under Ferguson) – 5 Premier League, 3 League cups, 3 Community Shield, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup

Rooney overtook Bobby Charlton to become United’s all-time leading goalscorer.

‘The Wonder Boy’ become an icon while at Old Trafford, winning everything there was to win.

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