99 v 08

AllhailManUtd

Beckham was most definately brilliant, his crossing was second to none as was his reading of the game and his vision. While he was with us, he was a world class player

Keyzer Soze

The think about 99 is we had four interchangeable strikers of similar quality now we have two and a half. On top of that Rooney and Tevez cant really be classed as goal poachers either,

MrMarcello

He became far more obsessed in the celebrity life. Football had become secondary by 2003 regardless of his bad or good performances. He'd rather fuck off to some London glamor blitz thing than stick around Carrington. Totally pussy whooped by an all-eyes-on-me self-obsessed cunt wife.

Frosty

I think Beckham's media personality has glossed over quite how good a player he was. He was amazing, truly one of the best players that have pulle don the red shirt, at least in the last 30 years.

His celebrity has overshadowed his achievements, indeed I think his celebrity made him into a better player than he was, with talk of the 'best ever' and the like, but this should not cloud our judgments over quite how good he was.

onlyoneunited

No doubting that we are a very good side at the moment, who can only get better, but i still feel we are missing an Andy Cole style striker to compare with the 1999 team.

Chris H

Does he need to? If we play four different ways, but win all four games, I don't see the harm.

After the years we went through undermanned in central midfield while trying to find a "replacement" for Keane, the current dilemma of how many to play there is a welcome change. We should all have such problems.

MadDogg

Between 99 and 01 Becks was supreme, behind only Keano in importance and performance. Especially as Scholes still wasn't a certain first choice in 99 (Butt played basically the same amount of games, including most of the big away matches).

As Frosty said, his media persona makes many people forget how bloody good he was. Particularly those three seasons 99-01.

Romaleouf

Agreed, based on actual on the field performances and value to the team as a whole.

Sky1981

You have to factor in Luck etc.


Plus, some of the 08 squad are overrated in terms of rose tinted glass.

It is not that they didn't perform, but they simply did not warrant 9 or 10 that easily.

Amir

Always hated comparing teams by simply rating its players, doesn't work like that.

My overall feeling is that the current team has a clear advantage at the back, maybe not better players but clearly better as a unit, and more squad depth (though not upfront). Midfield is a tough one. The 99 quartet was brilliant, but now we have more options and ways to play. In terms of how the team flows I feel it's pretty even, but the current team has more players who can improvise a big move. So it shades it. Still has to win the trophies though!

Eto'odinho

Please don't mention 99. Lets consider this an independent season and take one game at a time without trying to draw parallels and what not to "that" team.

CnutOfAllCnuts

From those players picked in the initial post. Scored based on the respective seasons:

Ferguson's class of 1999


Peter Schmeichel
Not at his best in 98/99 - 8/10

Gary Neville
Has matured with age - 7/10

Jaap Stam
Was superb after a shaky start - 9/10

Ronny Johnsen
Possible his best season at United - 8/10

Denis Irwin
Legend - 9/10

Ryan Giggs
One of his best seasons - 9/10

Nicky Butt
Very good squad player - 7/10

David Beckham
His best United season - 9/10

Jesper Blomqvist
A bit rubbish - 6/10

Andy Cole
Properly hit it off this season - 9/10

Dwight Yorke
People doubted him, he proved everyone wrong - 9/10

Teddy Sheringham
Played less than people imagine, but popped up with some crucial goals at the end - 7/10

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Didn't play as much as he deserved, in a superb season - 8/10

Roy Keane
Monster - 10/10

Paul Scholes
Was superb, but another one who matured well with age - 8/10

Total: 123 / 150


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Ferguson's class of 2008


Edwin van der Sar
Is steady and provides confidence to his back four - 7/10

Wes Brown
Out of position, but has done well - 7/10

Rio Ferdinand
World class - 10/10

Nemanja Vidic
Monster - 8/10

Patrice Evra
Our best fullback since Irwin - 9/10

Paul Scholes
Less dynamic, master of the pass - 7/10

Cristiano Ronaldo
Best player in the world - 10/10

Owen Hargreaves
Not played a lot, been average - 6/10

Ryan Giggs
Coming towards the end of his career - 6/10

Wayne Rooney
He plays, we win - 8/10

Carlos Tevez
Fitted in very well - 8/10

Nani
Has settled in very well - 7/10

Anderson
Very good season for the young lad - 8/10

Michael Carrick
Been our best midfielder - 8/10

Darren Fletcher
Not played a lot, but done well whenever called upon - 7/10

Total: 116 / 150

p_ps_sock

These would be mine

Peter Schmeichel 10/10

Gary Neville 9/10

Jaap Stam 9/10

Ronny Johnsen 8/10

Denis Irwin 9/10

Ryan Giggs 9/10

Nicky Butt 8/10

David Beckham 9/10

Jesper Blomqvist 7/10

Andy Cole 8/10

Dwight Yorke 9/10

Teddy Sheringham 7/10

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 8/10

Roy Keane 10/10

Paul Scholes 9/10

Total: 129 / 150


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Ferguson's class of 2008


Edwin van der Sar 9/10

Wes Brown 8/10

Rio Ferdinand 10/10

Nemanja Vidic 9/10

Patrice Evra 8/10

Paul Scholes 9/10

Cristiano Ronaldo 10/10

Owen Hargreaves 7/10

Ryan Giggs 7/10

Wayne Rooney 9/10

Carlos Tevez 9/10

Nani 8/10

Anderson 8/10

Michael Carrick 8/10

Darren Fletcher 8/10

Total: 126 / 150

Nick 0208 Ldn

One area which hasn't been mentioned yet all that much i don't think, is the mental strength of the two sides/squads, and 99 is the better here too for me.

VII

I'm not Carrick's biggest fan but there's no way he and Fletcher are 7/10 if you're gonna give Butt an 8.

Like wise, if you gave Cole and Yorke 9 then Tevez shouldn't be a 9.

And Keano a 9 and Scholes this season a 10? lol

Ramshock

Bergkamp PK save was the highlight!

Wes

99>>08

wolfshead

08 ≥ 99

cockneyred

this team hasnt won anything yet dont tempt fate

wolfshead

niMic

How is Rio not a 10 now? He's quite possibly the best defender in the world.

Pat_Mustard

That's the key difference for me. This squad probably has more individual talent, but as a unit the '99 bunch had incredible resolve and togetherness. This squad has yet to prove it can match this, and doesn't yet have a leader comparable to Keane. They've got every chance of maturing into/proving themselves as a squad as good as 99 though.

Sky1981

It doesn't matter who's better the way you rate it.

99 won the treble. 08 has won nothing up to now.

Argument/rating doesn't matter, at the end of the day trophy does.

RedRonaldo

Come think of it, our 99 midfield has everything. Flair, aggression, creativity, goals, passing etc.

dmode

really nice score... that's the first time i'm seeing someone unbaised and spot on...

Sonny1972

Not even Maradona scored a 10/10 get real.

Ecroyd

only rio ronaldo and rooney would be on the 99 squad

KingEric7

Dudek
Finnan
Traore
Hyypia
Carragher
Riise
Gerrard
Luis Garcia
Alonso
Kewell
Baros

Subs: Carson, Josemi, Nunez, Biscan, Hamaan, Smicer, Cisse.

The Champions League winners of 2005. Anyone care to rate these?
Anyone see what i'm getting at?

Sky1981

I think so, but they're not TREBLE winners.

KingEric7

I'm trying to say that a team is judged by how much success they have had. That Liverpool team of 2005 was absolutely shite in the grand scheme of things but they will be judged by the European cup they won.

Let's wait until the end of the season.

GusHiddink

at least a 9...what planet you on?? Id give him an 8

Concur

Agreed