99 v 08

Feed Me · 10th April 2008, 23:59

We seem to get this every year around April time.

Quote:

Ferguson's class of 1999

Peter Schmeichel
Fergie called him 'bargain of the century', others simply the best goalkeeper ever; went out on the high of Barcelona.10/10

Gary Neville
Already an established international, a home-grown player who could be relied upon in defence and on the overlap down the right wing. 9/10

Jaap Stam
Voted best defender in Europe in 1999; strong and calm, his importance to United recognised fully after his departure. 9/10

Ronny Johnsen
One of the unsung and almost forgotten heroes; a defensive midfield anchor man of great ability and value. 8/10

Denis Irwin
One of the corner-stones, and arguably one of the game's greatest full-backs for his work-rate, versatility, dependability and unflappability. 9/10

Ryan Giggs
The consummate professional, and outstanding wide player, had already developed into one of the more mature senior members of the squad. 9/10

Nicky Butt
Often overshadowed in United's midfield, where he was seen as Keane's stand-in, but always committed, eager and understated. 8/10

David Beckham
Dead-ball skills underlined with corners that led to United's goals; already on way to superstardom despite deputising in central midfield. 9/10

Jesper Blomqvist
Talented Swedish! winger brought in as back-up to Giggs, but Barcelona was his last game before succumbing to another injury. 7/10

Andy Cole
At his goalscoring peak, playing a key role throughout the season in an almost telepathic partnership with Dwight Yorke. 9/10

Dwight Yorke
Top league goalscorer, his prolific understanding with Cole brought the strikers 53 goals between them during the season. 9/10

Teddy Sheringham
Limited opportunities at 33, but still scored crucial goals in the finals of the FA Cup and Champions League. 7/10

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
At height of his supersub days, coming off bench to score majority of his 20 goals, including winner against Bayern Munich. 8/10

Roy Keane
Gave one of best performances of career in the semi-final in Turin, but a booking ruled out of final. 9/10

Paul Scholes
Key midfield partnership with Keane which allowed him to get forward to make and score goals, but missed final through suspension. 9/10

Total: 129 / 150

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Ferguson's class of 2008

Edwin van der Sar
Made most of season in which he was expected to be usurped by Ben Foster, and given some creditable performances between injuries. 8/10

Wes Brown
Limited opportunities at his preferred centre-half position, but has deputised for Neville at full-back in typically no-nonsense style. 8/10

Rio Ferdinand
Has become the dominant, classy, unruffled centre-half that had been expected of him throughout his career, though not always delivered. 9/10

Nemanja Vidic
The modern-day Steve Bruce to Ferdinand's Gary Pallister; has physical presence and great heading ability at both ends of pitch. 9/10

Patrice Evra
Overcome a mixed start, the former winger has turned into a quick and committed left-back, always looking to go forward. 8/10

Paul Scholes
Keane's departure allowed him to grow as a player, and become the team's pivot; seems to see things before other players. 10/10

Cristiano Ronaldo
Simply the most complete player around: equally adept in the air as on the ground, and takes a wicked free-kick. 10/10

Owen Hargreaves
Not quite Keane's successor yet, but his tenacious approach is ideally suited to the holding midfield role he occupies. 8/10

Ryan Giggs
Still around first-team squad, but some indifferent performances suggest that, at 34, anno domini is starting to catch up. 7/10

Wayne Rooney
Has a football brain beyond his 22 years; sizes up situations in an instant and invariably does the right thing. 9/10

Carlos Tevez
The darting, willing, charismatic striker has developed an excellent rapport with Rooney and Ronaldo, and scored his share of goals. 9/10

Nani
Potential there for all to see: could be another Ronaldo if he curbs tendency to get carried away and showboat. 8/10

Anderson
An assured playmaker of deceptive strength, he has improved game by game, and could prove the discovery of the season. 8/10

Michael Carrick
Still a bit of an enigma; dominant on his day, but not really made the holding role his own yet. 7/10

Darren Fletcher
Injury has hampered a season in which he was starting to challenge the galactios for a regular place in midfield. 7/10

Total: 124 / 150

I must say that this current team is underrated by atleast 2 points and the 99 team overrated by atleast 2 points. Meh, it's all subjective.

esmufc07 · 11th April 2008, 00:01

I think overall the squad we have now is better than the one we had in '99, but they will never be remembered as such untill they win a CL (or 2)

crappycraperson · 11th April 2008, 00:02

Keane was a perfect 10 in 99. Beckham probably 9.5, Big Pete had a okish season actually compared to his standards atleast. Ferdinand is a 10 right now as well.

20le_Solskjaer · 11th April 2008, 00:03

Carrick should not be a 7/10. At least a 9/10 for me!

Crustanoid · 11th April 2008, 00:05

This team feels like it has that 'extra something' the 99 team had - and hasn't really been present since around 2001 when the 99 team began to break up. Its like a supreme confidence / edge over our rivals - can't really even explain it

noodlehair · 11th April 2008, 00:12

I think the 99 team's midfield would pretty much over run us if we came up against it today.

Beckham-Scholes-Keane-Giggs

That basically says "fuck off every other team in the world, we're miles better"

Frosty · 11th April 2008, 00:14

I'm pretty sure Roy Keane would do that in the tunnel before the game. I'd even put Butt in that foursome instead of Scholes and say it is better than our current midfield, simply because of the way it would still work as one unit.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 11th April 2008, 00:16

The first choice midfield of 99 was 10's through out. One of the greatest units I've ever seen

RedNome · 11th April 2008, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodlehair

I think the 99 team's midfield would pretty much over run us if we came up against it today.

Beckham-Scholes-Keane-Giggs

That basically says "fuck off every other team in the world, we're miles better"

Tough call, two different systems against each other, don't think it'd be as clear cut as you think. In a straight 442 for both teams the '99 four would dick all over our best '08 four, but with our current system i'm not so sure.

Frosty · 11th April 2008, 00:19

Personally until this team wins a European semi-final I can't compare it to the team of 99.

noodlehair · 11th April 2008, 00:20

I'm not convinced Fergie's even figured out what our best system is with our current midfield. He can't even make up his mind how many to play in there

The 99 midfield was perfect

thebelfastboy · 11th April 2008, 00:27

think teddy was more important than a 7/10.
and not sure butt should receive an 8.

the team of 99 was near perfection. the current team still have to prove themselves...

surf · 11th April 2008, 00:29

The problem with this rating system is like when Nadia Comaneci got those perfect 10's and the commentators said "Where do the judges go from here?" If all those guys are rated at 9 or 10 then Ronaldo is on about 12 or 13.

Feed Me · 11th April 2008, 00:29

Is it possible that the team of 99 was so cohesive and together that the individual players were made to seem better than they were? Seeing as these ratings are of the individual players, I would say there is some overrating going on with the 99 team. It is fair to say as a team unit 99 was the better. But a number of 08's players should be rated highly for their individual gifts.

If that makes sense!

RedNome · 11th April 2008, 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodlehair

I'm not convinced Fergie's even figured out what our best system is with our current midfield. He can't even make up his mind how many to play in there

The 99 midfield was perfect

It's more a case that we have the ability and the players to play many different ways which is the kind of flexability that Fergie has been looking for for years, it can only hold us in good stead and in the next couple of years will only improve for the better. We have many options now for the kind of tactical game that we play in Europe now, and that seems to be getting us the results we need, although at the expense of the kind of football we played in 99, but times have changed unfortunatly.

'99 midfield were the best I've seen in my lifetime.

thebelfastboy · 11th April 2008, 00:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feed Me

Is it possible that the team of 99 was so cohesive and together that the individual players were made to seem better than they were? Seeing as these ratings are of the individual players, I would say there is some overrating going on with the 99 team. It is fair to say as a team unit 99 was the better. But a number of 08's players should be rated highly for their individual gifts.

If that makes sense!

not sure i agree - schmikes was arguably the best keeper on the planet for 10 years, stam awesome - keane, beckham, scholes, giggs? brilliant as individuals, and even better together.

i think your argument may stick for cole and yorke though - individually they maybe were never the best in the world, but put them together and they were unstoppable.....

Wes · 11th April 2008, 00:35

Theres always the chance that Ferguson'll get lost in playing as many different midfield combinations as he can and never settle on one. I'd agree though that the flexibility we have now is great. Anderson's development will be very exciting.

noodlehair · 11th April 2008, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedNome

It's more a case that we have the ability and the players to play many different ways which is the kind of flexability that Fergie has been looking for for years, it can only hold us in good stead and in the next couple of years will only improve for the better. We have many options now for the kind of tactical game that we play in Europe now, and that seems to be getting us the results we need, although at the expense of the kind of football we played in 99, but times have changed unfortunatly.

You could say that, but who have we played in Europe this season who you wouldn't expect us to beat fairly comfortably?

In 99 at this stage, we'd already played Barca, Bayern and Inter, and went on to beat Juve. Would the current team be able to do that? I'm not sure. Who would have dragged us back from 2 goals down in Turin in our current setup?

I'm not saying we're anything like poor this season. We're fecking great, but the 99 team's midfield was something else. I don't think Carrick and Scholes, or any weird combination of three would have been able to live with it.

thebelfastboy · 11th April 2008, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodlehair

You could say that, but who have we played in Europe this season who you wouldn't expect us to beat fairly comfortably?

In 99 at this stage, we'd already played Barca, Bayern and Inter, and went on to beat Juve. Would the current team be able to do that? I'm not sure. Who would have dragged us back from 2 goals down in Turin in our current setup?

I'm not saying we're anything like poor this season. We're fecking great, but the 99 team's midfield was something else. I don't think Carrick and Scholes, or any weird combination of three would have been able to live with it.

maybe ronaldo or rooney?

Christofaux · 11th April 2008, 00:41

Scholes isnt a 10/10 now.

Feed Me · 11th April 2008, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebelfastboy

not sure i agree - schmikes was arguably the best keeper on the planet for 10 years, stam awesome - keane, beckham, scholes, giggs? brilliant as individuals, and even better together.

i think your argument may stick for cole and yorke though - individually they maybe were never the best in the world, but put them together and they were unstoppable.....

In hindsight, was Beckham ever "brilliant"? I think Scholes has improved with age.

I think the 99 team was a case of the total sum being of greater value than the constituent parts...

esmufc07 · 11th April 2008, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christofaux

Scholes isnt a 10/10 now.

Scholes is always a 10/10.

RedNome · 11th April 2008, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodlehair

You could say that, but who have we played in Europe this season who you wouldn't expect us to beat fairly comfortably?

In 99 at this stage, we'd already played Barca, Bayern and Inter, and went on to beat Juve. Would the current team be able to do that? I'm not sure. Who would have dragged us back from 2 goals down in Turin in our current setup?

I'm not saying we're anything like poor this season. We're fecking great, but the 99 team's midfield was something else. I don't think Carrick and Scholes, or any weird combination of three would have been able to live with it.

Fair comment, we beat some great teams in that run and haven't faced anything like that quality so far this year, so I find it hard to argue with that post, although you can only beat what's put in front of you. We'll maybe be able to have a better argument at the end of the competition.

So as it stands, '99 are still the dogs.

thebelfastboy · 11th April 2008, 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feed Me

In hindsight, was Beckham ever "brilliant"? I think Scholes has improved with age.

I think the 99 team was a case of the total sum being of greater value than the constituent parts...

i'm not beckhams biggest fan, but he was as much part of our best midfield as anybody, his passing ability combined with his set pieces>? he was never the quickest, but he didnt have to be....

Frosty · 11th April 2008, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feed Me

In hindsight, was Beckham ever "brilliant"? I think Scholes has improved with age.

I think the 99 team was a case of the total sum being of greater value than the constituent parts...

Beckham was superb. I think we are very lucky as we didn't really miss him as much as we could have done if we didn't buy Ronaldo. However, his delivery is second to none, and he had a silly amount of assists that season if I remember correctly.

RedNome · 11th April 2008, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebelfastboy

i'm not beckhams biggest fan, but he was as much part of our best midfield as anybody, his passing ability combined with his set pieces>? he was never the quickest, but he didnt have to be....

Time has dulled the memories of Beckham, he was a class player for us, one name I would always look for on the team sheet, as much a part of that four as any of them.

Edit:Not sure why I quoted you, that was more aimed at Feed Me.

esmufc07 · 11th April 2008, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedNome

Time has dulled the memories of Beckham, he was a class player for us, one name I would always look for on the team sheet, as much a part of that four as any of them.

Edit:Not sure why I quoted you, that was more aimed at Feed Me.

He went downhill as soon as he met Victoria, when it all started to become about the glamour and the glitz, rather than the football itself. Fully believe he would have stayed longer was it not for her, and there is no way he would be in LA was it not for her.

RedNome · 11th April 2008, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by esmufc07

He went downhill as soon as he met Victoria, when it all started to become about the glamour and the glitz, rather than the football itself. Fully believe he would have stayed longer was it not for her, and there is no way he would be in LA was it not for her.

That argument doesn't really stand up as they met in 1997.

esmufc07 · 11th April 2008, 01:00

Quote:

11th April 2008, 00:01	#2 (permalink)
esmufc07 Smashed's bitch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A good fortune may forbode a bad luck, which may in turn disguise a good fortune Posts: 5,859	I think overall the squad we have now is better than the one we had in '99, but they will never be remembered as such untill they win a CL (or 2)

11th April 2008, 00:02	#3 (permalink)
crappycraperson First Team Regular Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: <Insert something funny here> Posts: 10,397	Keane was a perfect 10 in 99. Beckham probably 9.5, Big Pete had a okish season actually compared to his standards atleast. Ferdinand is a 10 right now as well.

11th April 2008, 00:03	#4 (permalink)
20le_Solskjaer Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere...In the midst of our glory Posts: 1,223	Carrick should not be a 7/10. At least a 9/10 for me!

11th April 2008, 00:05	#5 (permalink)
Crustanoid Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancs Posts: 1,354	This team feels like it has that 'extra something' the 99 team had - and hasn't really been present since around 2001 when the 99 team began to break up. Its like a supreme confidence / edge over our rivals - can't really even explain it

11th April 2008, 00:12	#6 (permalink)
noodlehair Fired? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes. Posts: 29,827	I think the 99 team's midfield would pretty much over run us if we came up against it today. Beckham-Scholes-Keane-Giggs That basically says "fuck off every other team in the world, we're miles better"

11th April 2008, 00:14	#7 (permalink)
Frosty Turns women gay Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Plotting to take over the world with my Illuminati brethren Posts: 7,410	I'm pretty sure Roy Keane would do that in the tunnel before the game. I'd even put Butt in that foursome instead of Scholes and say it is better than our current midfield, simply because of the way it would still work as one unit.

11th April 2008, 00:16	#8 (permalink)
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Football Fanatics Central..new member of the kill Sjarkus club Posts: 18,315	The first choice midfield of 99 was 10's through out. One of the greatest units I've ever seen

11th April 2008, 00:19	#10 (permalink)
Frosty Turns women gay Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Plotting to take over the world with my Illuminati brethren Posts: 7,410	Personally until this team wins a European semi-final I can't compare it to the team of 99.

11th April 2008, 00:20	#11 (permalink)
noodlehair Fired? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes. Posts: 29,827	I'm not convinced Fergie's even figured out what our best system is with our current midfield. He can't even make up his mind how many to play in there The 99 midfield was perfect

11th April 2008, 00:27	#12 (permalink)
thebelfastboy Youth Team Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Belfast Posts: 152	think teddy was more important than a 7/10. and not sure butt should receive an 8. the team of 99 was near perfection. the current team still have to prove themselves...

11th April 2008, 00:29	#13 (permalink)
surf Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: In the wilderness Posts: 1,400	The problem with this rating system is like when Nadia Comaneci got those perfect 10's and the commentators said "Where do the judges go from here?" If all those guys are rated at 9 or 10 then Ronaldo is on about 12 or 13.

11th April 2008, 00:29	#14 (permalink)
Feed Me bobbobray - hits women. Big man Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 'I have another year left and what do contracts mean anyway? In five or six games I'll probably be sacked anyway' - Keane. Posts: 8,459	Is it possible that the team of 99 was so cohesive and together that the individual players were made to seem better than they were? Seeing as these ratings are of the individual players, I would say there is some overrating going on with the 99 team. It is fair to say as a team unit 99 was the better. But a number of 08's players should be rated highly for their individual gifts. If that makes sense!

11th April 2008, 00:35	#17 (permalink)
Wes Brown is no God Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dublin, in the Irish Republic Posts: 7,104	Theres always the chance that Ferguson'll get lost in playing as many different midfield combinations as he can and never settle on one. I'd agree though that the flexibility we have now is great. Anderson's development will be very exciting.

11th April 2008, 00:41	#20 (permalink)
Christofaux Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,482	Scholes isnt a 10/10 now.