Greatest Manchester United XI of all time

Arguably the biggest club in world football, Manchester United's history and trophy cabinet speak for itself. The Red Devils have given their fans some scintillating moments, as well as some truly exceptional players.

While the club right now is not the same force as it once was, there are signs of positivity. The club currently has players who might make this list one day, and that in itself is reassuring.

Having said that, it will be a long ask. We look at the:

Greatest Manchester United XI of all-time

Formation: 4-1-2-3

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GOALKEEPER- PETER SCHMEICHEL

Peter Schmeichel during a Manchester United Legends game

One of the greatest goalkeepers to have played the game, Peter Schmeichel trumps Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea to make this list.

Schmeichel joined Manchester United from Brondby in 1991 for a fee of £505,000, a move declared by Sir Alex Ferguson as the "bargain of the century". He would go on to represent the Red Devils for the next eight years, often captaining them. He was the captain of the team in the Champions League final of 1999, which they would win.

The Denmark international was renowned for this loud persona on the field, as well as his daunting physique. He played nearly 400 games in all competitions for Manchester United, before moving to Sporting CP in Portugal. He would later represent Aston Villa and Manchester City, a fact that still rankles many United fans.

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DEFENDERS

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GARY NEVILLE - RIGHT-BACK

Gary Neville is regarded as one of England's finest right-backs

A one-club man, Gary Neville was part of the Class of 92, which also included the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.

Neville would go on to make the right-back spot his own, enjoying a breakthrough season in 1994. An aggressive, hard-working and tenacious defender, Neville is regarded by many as one of England's finest right-backs. Renowned for his leadership attributes, Neville became captain of the Red Devils in 2005, before stepping down as team captain in 2010 due to limited playing time.

The England international made over 600 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, retiring in 2011. Currently he is a pundit, having had a disastrous reign as manager of Spanish club Valencia.

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RIO FERDINAND - CENTRE-BACK

Rio Ferdinand during his Manchester United days

When Manchester United splurged £30 million to buy Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United in 2002, eyebrows were raised.

However, Ferdinand would go on to establish himself as one of the finest centre-backs of the modern generation. One of the first centre-backs to play out from the back, the former West Ham United defender was well-known for his calmness in possession, as well as his passing ability. He formed an incredible defensive partnership with Nemanja Vidic, and won every possible trophy with the club.

The Englishman played more than 450 games for United in all competitions. He left the club in 2014, moving to Queens Park Rangers. He retired the next season.

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STEVE BRUCE - CENTRE-BACK

Steve Bruce is currently the manager of Newcastle United

Another Englishman who had a successful career with Manchester United. Steve Bruce joined the club from Norwich City in 1987 for a fee of £800,000.

Bruce went on to become a pillar upon which Sir Alex Ferguson built the club. His defensive partnership with Gary Pallister was regarded as one of the finest at that time. A strong, efficient centre-back, the former Gillingham player was not exceptionally gifted; rather, he utilised what he had perfectly.

He played more than 400 games for United in all competitions, scoring 51 goals. He would leave the club in 1996 to play for Birmingham City and later Sheffield United. Currently, he is the manager of Premier League side Newcastle United, having managed the likes of Hull City and Aston Villa previously.

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DENIS IRWIN - LEFT-BACK

Denis Irwin in action for Manchester United

Regarded by Sir Alex Ferguson as his greatest ever signing, Denis Irwin pips Patrice Evra to the left-back spot in this team.

Irwin joined Manchester United from Oldham Athletic for a fee of £625,000 in 1990. An extremely reliable and consistent defender, Sir Alex Ferguson once stated that he called him "eight out of ten Denis". The Republic of Ireland international won every major trophy with the Red Devils, and is the joint most successful Irish footballer in history, alongside Roy Keane.

Irwin played more then 500 games for Manchester United, before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2002. He retired in 2004.

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MIDFIELDERS

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PAUL SCHOLES - CENTRE MIDFIELD

Paul Scholes is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all-time

Another member of the Class of 92. Paul Scholes, like Gary Neville, spent his entire career at Manchester United and is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders to have played the game.

A diminutive midfielder who many thought would not succeed in the game because of his stature, Scholes proved them all wrong. An exceptional passer with remarkable tenacity and technical skills, the England international played in a variety of midfield and attacking positions. Some of football's finest have commented on the talent of Scholes, with the likes of Xavi and Zinedine Zidane considering him a complete midfielder.

Scholes played more than 700 games for Manchester United in all competitions, scoring 155 goals. He retired in 2013, and is currently a pundit. He also had a short spell as manager of Oldham Athletic.

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SIR BOBBY CHARLTON - ATTACKING MIDFIELD

Sir Bobby Charlton at Old Trafford

Another Manchester United academy graduate to have made this list. Sir Bobby Charlton joined the Red Devils in 1953, making his senior debut for the club three years later.

An attacking midfielder who could also play as a forward, the England international was Manchester United and England's all-time leading goalscorer before being surpassed on both fronts by Wayne Rooney. He was just 20 when the Munich Air Disaster happened, and was one of the few survivors of the horrible incident.

Charlton would go on to be a vital part of the rebuilding process post the disaster. He played more than 750 games for Manchester United, scoring 249 goals. He joined Preston North End in 1974, also playing for the likes of Waterford and Blacktown City before retiring in 1980.

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GEORGE BEST - ATTACKING MIDFIELDE

George Best is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and it is hard to argue.

A Manchester United academy graduate, Best's creativity and dribbling ability stood out from a young age. He made his debut for the club in 1963, and wowed everyone with his technical skills, flair and elegance.

A larger-than-life persona, Best's off-the-field activities started gaining more notoriety as time went on. Alcohol would go to play a major role in his life, and his extravagant lifestyle resulted in financial as well as personal losses.

He made 470 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, scoring 179 goals. The Northern Ireland international would play for the likes of Fulham, Bournemouth and San Jose Earthquakes, before retiring in 1984.

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FORWARDS

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WAYNE ROONEY - CENTRE-FORWARD

Wayne Rooney in action for Manchester United

Regarded as a prodigious talent during his Everton days, Wayne Rooney moved to Manchester United in 2004 aged 18. United paid Everton £25.6 million for him; a then record-transfer fee for a teenager.

Rooney justified his fee, and more. He scored a hat-trick on his Manchester United debut against Fenerbahce in the Champions League, and did not look back since then. A creative and physical forward, Rooney could play in a variety of attacking positions, and was later utilised as a midfielder by Louis van Gaal.

Rooney is Manchester United's as well as England's top goalscorer of all time. In 13 years with the Red Devils, the England international made more than 550 appearances, scoring 253 goals. He left the club in 2017, securing a return to Everton. He currently plays for Derby County in the Championship.

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CRISTIANO RONALDO - WINGER/ AUXILLARY FORWARD

Cristiano Ronaldo during his Manchester United days

Arguably the greatest player to have played the game. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon aged 18 in 2003 for a fee of £12 million. He left in 2009 to Real Madrid for a fee of £80 million, having won every possible trophy with the Red Devils.

Predominantly a winger at Manchester United, the Portugal international's searing pace, physicality and dribbling ability caused havoc in the opposition defence. He would later add goals to his resume as well; becoming a world-class finisher who could also score from free-kicks.

Ronaldo played nearly 300 games in all competitions for Manchester United, scoring 118 goals. Currently, the superstar footballer plays for Italian giants Juventus, where he has been in fine form.

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ERIC CANTONA - WINGER/ AUXILLARY FORWARD

Eric Cantona's arrival changed Manchester United's fortunes

Affectionately called "King Eric" by Manchester United fans, Eric Cantona transformed the club with his arrival.

The France international joined Manchester United from Leeds United for a fee of £1.2 million in 1992. Collar turned up, Cantona's persona added colour to Manchester United. A good striker well known for his finishing ability, Cantona was more than a player for the fans. He added panache and a winning mentality which would reverberate around the club for the rest of Sir Alex Ferguson's spell.

Cantona played nearly 200 games for Manchester United, scoring 82 goals. He retired in 1997 aged just 31, after a string of controversies.

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