Neither fully established superstars but a couple of thoughts for full-back. Eric Caldow was one of the best left-backs in Europe when he broke his leg against England at 28. Effectively finished his career. For right-back Rob Jones was really promising before injuries took their toll. Likely Neville doesn’t get much of an England career if things turn out differently.Ronaldo & van Basten are the obvious top-2 for me (and for almost everyone, I'd imagine). From the United greats Robson is the obvious choice and McGrath is another one — I think he would've cemented his place alongside Rio in United's All-Time XI if not for the injuries (and drinking).
The established XI (for some it's constant injuries, for others it's one career-defining one, but it's still a huge "what if?" question on top of an already amazing career):
Ronaldo - van Basten
Del Piero ------------------------ Robben
Robson - Schuster
Camacho* - McGrath - Sammer - Hargreaves*
Čech
Bench: Baggio, Fowler, Falcao, Torres, Owen, Thiago, Reus, Ballack, Redondo, Fabregas, Kaka, Cazorla...
*I really struggled with fullbacks, any ideas? It has to be an established superstar.
Suggestions are welcome!
The early promise XI (very United-centric):
Lentini - Pato - Fati
Wilshere - Diaby
Rodwell
Fabio - Jones - Bailly - Rafael
Adler
Bloody hell, after all the shouts for Ronaldo9 and Paul McGrath you come up with Dean Ashton. Having said that, I do think Fergie would have looked at him back in the day.Not a Utd player, but I really rated Dean Ashton when he came through, looked like he was going to be a possible superstar, just got picked for England then a career ending injury.
This. Goddamm Fergie knew a striker when he saw one.Saha
there’s quite a few ex pros that talk him up as their most difficult opponent…either when playing at other clubs…or in training.
vida and Rio…and Gary have all said he was an absolute monster of a player. Strong. Quick. Great in the air. Finish with both feet.
Reece James might be the one in a few years. But hopefully his most recent OP turns out to be the solution to his problems.Ronaldo & van Basten are the obvious top-2 for me (and for almost everyone, I'd imagine). From the United greats Robson is the obvious choice and McGrath is another one — I think he would've cemented his place alongside Rio in United's All-Time XI if not for the injuries (and drinking).
The established XI (for some it's constant injuries, for others it's one career-defining one, but it's still a huge "what if?" question on top of an already amazing career):
Ronaldo - van Basten
Del Piero ------------------------ Robben
Robson - Schuster
Camacho* - McGrath - Sammer - Hargreaves*
Čech
Bench: Baggio, Fowler, Falcao, Torres, Owen, Thiago, Reus, Ballack, Redondo, Fabregas, Kaka, Cazorla...
*I really struggled with fullbacks, any ideas? It has to be an established superstar.
Suggestions are welcome!
The early promise XI (very United-centric):
Lentini - Pato - Fati
Wilshere - Diaby
Rodwell
Fabio - Jones - Bailly - Rafael
Adler
Oh, that's a good shout!Reece James might be the one in a few years. But hopefully his most recent OP turns out to be the solution to his problems.
Came in to say. Still a phenomenal defender, don’t know how he did it, and seemed such a lovely humble man, deserved more.Ledley King
I wouldn't put him as being far and away better than Van Basten, just sticking to forwards. I'd put them on the same level.I mean, R9 is quite clearly the far and away best injury-prone player ever, isn't he?
Same hereI interpreted it is an injury prone player who could come and play for your team, not one who necessarily did already.
Seems like I'm not the only one.
The OP says 'for your team' so it shouldn't be.You’re going to have to take out a certain Brazilian for this thread to not become a homage.
I think they end up being the same level but Ronaldo had a higher ceiling, R9 without injuries is probably mentioned with Pele Messi Maradona.I wouldn't put him as being far and away better than Van Basten, just sticking to forwards. I'd put them on the same level.
Prosinecki and Savicevic weren't just injury-prone; they were also lazy and very inconsistent, even by 90s playmakers standards. When people say "this player looks much better on youtube than he really was", it's players like them they are looking at.Ronaldo, Van Basten, Dragan Stojkovic, Robert Prosinecki, Dejan Savicevic, Roberto Baggio are some of my favourite injury-prone/ruined players. For just one, i'd toss a coin between Ronaldo or Van Basten, and for a non-forward, i'd pick Stojkovic or Prosinecki.
I've seen them play in lots of full games (no need for youtube highlights) and don't entirely agree.Prosinecki and Savicevic weren't just injury-prone; they were also lazy and very inconsistent, even by 90s playmakers standards. When people say "this player looks much better on youtube than he really was", it's players like them they are looking at.
Nah. He lost a yard and stopped being the domineering box to box player he was before. He became a better player as he aged, but a fitter Roy would have been unquestionably up there with the best ever.Keane was equally as good if not better after his knee injury, it was that injury that made him stop drinking and fecking about and actually start looking after himself properly.
Neymar is the most talented footballer I’ve ever seen, Ronaldinho with directness.Neymar.
It's a shame that a player so talented had his legacy harmed by frequent injuries. Except for aerial game, he had everything you could ask from an attacking player. Probably not many will agree with me, but I think that, apart from Messi, he's the most talented footballer of the last 30 years.
Did you ever see Best? Best at peak form blows Neymar away.Neymar is the most talented footballer I’ve ever seen, Ronaldinho with directness.
Injuries and attitude killed him.
That's a fair shout, he always seemed to miss a quarter to a third of the season injuredSergio Aguero
Yep, first injuries took a toll on the amazing no.10/no.9 hybrid he was in his first season, and made him change a bit as a player. Then when he turned into more of a poacher injuries probably kept him away from multiple 30 league goal seasons considering his scoring rateThat's a fair shout, he always seemed to miss a quarter to a third of the season injured