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Right-Back – Gianluca Zambrotta
The Italian right-back played alongside van der Sar at the Old Ladybut his career also took him to Milan and Barcelona. Although he was not the greatest attack minded full-back, he possessed the pace and positional sense to get the upper hand on most wingers. Just shy of a century of caps for Italy, he was a key member of their 2006 world cup winning side and is an Azzurri legend.
Centre-Back – Jaap Stam
The powerful Dutchman was a defender that you would want in your side on any occasion, whoever your opponent. Strong in the air, assured in possession and tough in the tackle, he struck fear into strikers. Part of United’s treble winning side in 98/99 a disagreement with Sir Alex cut his Old Trafford career short but he also enjoyed spells at Lazio, Milan and Ajax before his retirement in 2007.
Centre-Back – Rio Ferdinand
Once the world’s most expensive defender when he joined Manchester United from Leeds in 2002 for £30 million, the West Ham youth player was part of a formidable United defence in front of van der Sar. He won the Champions League alongside the Dutchman in 2008 and was arguably in his peak when the goalkeeper was at Old Trafford. Now retired from international duty, his influence is on the wane, but he was amongst the world’s best during his pomp and has six Premier League winners medals in his locker.
Left-Back – Frank de Boer
Our third Dutchman in the team comes in the form of the younger twin of the De Boer brothers, Frank. De Boer began his career at left-back before moving into the centre and makes it into the team via his initial position. A permanent fixture in Ajax’s side for a decade alongside van der Sar, he made 328 appearances for the Amsterdammers before a lucrative move to the Nou Camp. He also boasts well over 100 caps for Holland and is currently the manager of his former club Ajax, with a move to an English club in the future a real possibility.
