Giles was a central midfielder himself. I'd trust his judgement in this debate to choose Keane over Robson.
Also worth noting that Giles both played alongside and managed Robson at West Brom.
True. Giles played in an era where you got your retaliation in first! He could look after himself.
I've no doubt that Duncan was a phenomenal footballer. I often heard it said that you would have never heard of Bobby Moore only for Munich.
Prime Giggs was a great player, no doubt - never forget that FA Cup goal against Arsenal, which was on a par with any of Best's. It's no direspect to place him 2nd to Best.
Yeah. Can't really find fault with any of it.
Whelan too from that team from what I've read about him.
Ditto. That team would be unbeatable
I think Edwards and Taylor would have swung that WC... my Dad said both were brilliant but Taylor was his favourite.
Watched them both hundreds of times (went to watch West Brom when Robson was still there... good then too. As someone else said, there's an argument he played in a better all-round team than some United sides of the 80s though a midfield of Robson, Muhren, Wilkins and Moses beats anything West Brom ever had).
I didn't catch the show but my thinking is that if you want a hard nosed defender like Vidic then it's either Stam or RIo to partner him and Stam is probably just a little better than Rio based on his combativeness.
Fair enough but if Edwards was as good as people say I think he's worthy of a place in our greatest 11. Such an absolute tragedy that his life was robbed from him. What are your thoughts on Paul McGrath? I was born in 89 so I never got to properly see him play but from what my father has said and from what I've heard about him he was one unbelievable footballer.
Wow wow wow, I’m a MASSIVE Giggsy fan, born in Cardiff, missus is second cousins with Ryan (same surname), literally idolised him growing up... but even I wouldn’t compare Giggsy to the GOAT that is George Best.
I can easily understand it.
Keane was the heartbeat of a team that won numerous leagues, FA Cups and a Champions League. Robson was the heartbeat of a team that one a FA Cup. Keane plays all day long.
Best had a much higher peak, Giggs longevity for his career was absurd though
Paul was a phenomenal player. I think most people accept that. Off field issues stopped him from becoming the United legend he should have become but at his best as good as any at centre back.
McGrath was voted the best player in the league in 92 while playing for Villa. Since then only 2 other defenders have won that award, John Terry and Virgil Van Dijk.
I saw them both play too and I still think Keane is better, but they don't really compete for the same position. As you said above in different words, Robson was great at everything required to go forward. And in a team that requires balance, at the going forward bit Robson will never match Charlton. Keane was a better all rounder and who else do you pick for that job if not him?
Law played in a different era to RVP or RVN, so it is difficult to compare directly. The pace of the game, the boot/ball technology, fitness levels, refereeing standards etc. were different. DL was a clinical finisher at close range, like Ruud, athough with less physicality.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Games/goal |
| Denis Law | 309 | 171 | 1.81 |
| RVN | 150 | 95 | 1.58 |
| RVP | 86 | 48 | 1.79 |
Law was a supreme poacher and finisher.
The main problem the 93/94 team had in Europe was the foreigner rule. We literally could not field our strongest team because of it. We may not have won the CL but we certainly would have done much better with our first team.
Not bad for a reluctant centre-forward, he preferred playing in midfield.
Good points - when I mentioned physicality, it was a comparison between Denis at 5'9" and Ruud at 6'2". He certainly could look after himself and had to, when dealing with Ron Harris, David Webb, Peter Storey, Bobby Moncur, Norman Hunter, Johh Hurst, Tommy Smith et al.
Love that celebration, the iconic picture of Law after scoring, right arm raised in triumph.Glorious.
Its Johnny Giles not Joe Bloggs from the Dog and Duck.People are naturally interested in who he picked in my opinion.If you are not interested dont bother commenting.
Well that's me told, i'll wait until Joe Bloggs from the Dog and Duck picks his team then.
That's an interesting statement given that Keane was all all action up and down midfielder in his early days at united and by his own admission started to come deeper and get more involved in the play on the advice of Robson.
