Pick Your Best United 11 of All Time - But Explain How It Went Wrong

[Mr Pigeon]

Simple task. Create a lineup using the best players past or present (obviously mainly from the past) BUT explain why things would ultimately go tits up.

Manager - Sir Alex Ferguson

The start of the season would go quite well. United would go on a ten game winning streak thanks to bombarding the opposition with sheer attacking force. Tensions would start to rise, however, when arguments between Ronaldo and Best over which one of them should play down the right wing...

Arguments would ensue on a weekly basic resulting in heavy defeats to Liverpool, City and Chelsea over a heavy winter period, culminating in Best deciding to go down the pub for a quick half during the West Ham away match...

The team, playing with ten men, managed to hold on until the end of the first half. But Keane, adamant that he wasn't going to let some public school boy twats celebrate their Christmas with three points, marches off the pitch to talk it out with George who is perched up against the railings chatting up some blonde chav bird.

A heated debate ensued between the two United greats, resulting in Best sticking his head into Keane and being sent off. The positive of the situation being that Keane's passed out body would fill in the gap made on the left wing, nullifying the Hammer's counterattacks.

United would struggle throughout the rest of the season with similar issues between Rooney and Cantona, and ultimately finish just out of the Champions League spots. The upside of the year would be that Woodward would sell shitloads of boxing glove memorabilia.

 

[Isotope]

Keane has a bust up with his manager, Mr. Pigeon. " "Mr. P, you're a liar … you're a fecking wanker. I didn't rate you as a bird, I don't rate you as a manager, and I don't rate you as a person." during United tour in Saigon, Vietnam. With Garry Neville in support of his manager, while sitting on Studio.

 

[jesperjaap]

Supported Utd since 1980 so I cant include the likes of George Best.....those that are....how an earth can you leave the likes of Edwards, Law and Charlton out then? For me

Schmeichel
Evra
Stam
Ferdinand
Irwin
Giggs
Keane
Robson
Ronaldo
Cantona
Van Nistlerooy

Obviously very difficult to leave out the likes of Scholes (nearly picked over Keane), surprised nobody has Robson in, and Rooney (European games I would pick him over Cantona)

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Just seen this. Cheers for the effort.

Tensions would start to rise, however, when arguments between Ronaldo and Best over which one of them should play down the right wing...

Erm, they're not strictly right wingers. Both like to roam and attack from any directions - left right centre. Ronaldo switched a lot positionally with Tevez, Rooney, Park and Giggs.

The team, playing with ten men, managed to hold on until the end of the first half. But Keane, adamant that he wasn't going to let some public school boy twats celebrate their Christmas with three points, marches off the pitch to talk it out with George who is perched up against the railings chatting up some blonde chav bird.

A heated debate ensued between the two United greats, resulting in Best sticking his head into Keane and being sent off. The positive of the situation being that Keane's passed out body would fill in the gap made on the left wing, nullifying the Hammer's counterattacks.

Love your imaginations.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Can only include the Trinity, Duncan and Robson from past history.
Not too sure about the others, so mostly PL era.

Manager: SAF

Schmeichel
Irwin -- Stam -- Edwards -- Evra
Keane -- Robson
Charlton(C)
Ronaldo -- Law -- Best
​

It's a no brainer to pick our 4 Ballon d'or winner.
Duncan Edwards also managed to be top 3 BD'or, as does Becks and Cantona but I can't fit in the latter two unless we swap Keane with Cantona/Becks, or swap Evra with Becks and Irwin at LB.

Robson
Beckham -- Charlton

Schmeichel
Beckham -- Stam -- Edwards -- Irwin​

How it went wrong?
Ronaldo vs Best (vs Beckham) -- off field competition fighting for the mirror in the dressing room and ads/sponsorship/modelling/interviews.

Best - a big challenge for SAF to manage considering his off field activities. SAF finally couldn't and gave up Becks.

 

[RedRonaldo]

Schmeichel
Neville Rio Vidic Irwin
Beckham Keane Scholes
Ronaldo Cantona Giggs

How it went wrong?
Most of those players never really play 433 before. Not sure how they fit this formation.

 

[Class of 63]

Best - a big challenge for SAF to manage considering his off field activities. SAF finally couldn't and gave up Becks.

It's unlikely Georgie Best would have gone off the rails if SAF had been Manager.

Don't think he gave up Beckham more he just couldn't stand Posh Spice Victoria.

 

[pacifictheme]

Schmeichel
Neville Rio Vidic Irwin
Beckham Keane Scholes
Ronaldo Cantona Giggs

How it went wrong?
Most of those players never really play 433 before. Not sure how they fit this formation.

By my reckoning only Keane, cantona and irwin didn't play 433. Didn't we play it in 2008 a bit?

 

[Jim Beam]

a deeper look into pigeon football mind

 

[Deery]

Bosnich
Whiteside McGrath Pallister Williams

Keane Robson
Law
Best Greenwood Rooney
​

Someone suggested going to the pub...

 

[Class of 63]

Bosnish
Whiteside McGarth Pallister Williams

Keane Robson
Law
Best Greenwood Rooney
​

Someone suggested going to the pub...

Looking at the spelling and playing the most left-footed of them all at right-back i'd hazard a guess the Manager has been in the pub for a few hours already

 

[Jim Beam]

Looking at the spelling and playing the most left-footed of them all at right-back i'd hazard a guess the Manager has been in the pub for a few hours already

With Bosnish

 

[Grande]

Peter Schmeichel

Johnny Carey
Rio Ferdinand
Duncan Edwards
Dennis Irwin

Billy Meredith
Bobby Charlton
Paul Scholes
George Best

Christiano Ronaldo
Dennis Law

Already in the first game comments were made that the side was unbalanced, lacked defensive nous, and several criticism were launched on the RedCafe about players like Giggs, Robson and Vidic being left out.

Henry Winter was the only one who noted, after the heavy loss for a cynical and Violent Mourinho, side that the team hadn’t really had a full preseason, and it didn’t help so many of the players were dead, geriatric or at least had a waistline incompatible with 2020s professional football.

Winter was later found in a pool of blood under the East Stand Clock with the mark of two pair of keeper’s gloves size XXXXL on his throat.

 

[Deery]

Looking at the spelling and playing the most left-footed of them all at right-back i'd hazard a guess the Manager has been in the pub for a few hours already

Am still sleeping... He scored that wonderful goal from the right so he’s a must at right back..

With Bosnish

Up doing lines and hippy crack with Mark and Mason all night..

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Henry Winter was the only one who noted, after the heavy loss for a cynical and Violent Mourinho, side that the team hadn’t really had a full preseason, and it didn’t help so many of the players were dead, geriatric or at least had a waistline incompatible with 2020s professional football.

Winter was later found in a pool of blood under the East Stand Clock with the mark of two pair of keeper’s gloves size XXXXL on his throat.

 

[Class of 63]

With Bosnish

Ralph Milne, God rest his soul, had been in the pub since breakfast time to save them a table.

 

[Jim Beam]

Ralph Milne, God rest his soul, had been in the pub since breakfast time to save them a table.

While Mark only asked for a plate to be reserved

 

[Class of 63]

Am still sleeping... He scored that wonderful goal from the right so he’s a must at right back..

One of best ever Cup final goals as well, Nutty Norman at RB it is then

 

[Class of 63]

While Mark only asked for a plate to be reserved

The Cistern and/or Toilet Seat surely

 

[Deery]

The Cistern and/or Toilet Seat surely

A little too much knowledge there I feel, Class of 63

 

[SER19]

Fergie resigns and is replaced my Moyes

 

[Jim Beam]

Fergie resigns and is replaced my Moyes

All players join Best in the pub.

 

[Pughnichi]

Schmeichel
Neville, Ferdinand, Stam, Irwin
Keane, Scholes
Kanchelskis, Cantona, Ronaldo
Van Nistelrooy

Belly up when Ferdinand misses a drugs test, Keane gets multiple reds, Ronaldo tried too many step overs and Cantona goes mental on a fan

 

[Deery]

DeGea

Sharp Lindelof Pique Heinze

Pogba Giggs

Beckham Best Ronaldo
Zlatan​

Massive fall out over a tub of hair gel..

 

[Class of 63]

A little too much knowledge there I feel, Class of 63

Nah I just googled how does one take Coke, honest Guv

 

[Lynty]

-----------------Schmeichel-----------------

AWB-----Ferdinand---Vidic-----Evra

---Beckham----Keane----Scholes---

Ronaldo------Rooney---------Giggs



A friendly rivalry between Becks and Ronaldo develops into bitterness, as each tries to build their public image into a marketable brand. Cristiano is jealous Beckham has the #7 shirt, considering himself more worthy - he breaks tradition and opts for #77, as in his own words at a Portuguese press conference - "because I'm twice as good as Beckham".

In retaliation, Beckham refuses to relinquish any freekicks from that point forth which causes on field issues on multiple occasions as players wrestle over balls. Keane sides with Beckham where as Rooney sides with Ronaldo, a division starts to spread amongst the team - the English media fuel it and involve players personal lives - which results in Victoria Beckham slapping Coleen Rooney during an international break.

The next training session, Rooney - never one to turn the other cheek - escalates the situation with a two footed act of vengeance on David Beckham. Ronald runs away first sign of trouble. Keane is furious and goes after Rooney. Giggs, Scholes and Schmeichel get broken noses trying to restrain Keane and Rooney who look certain to kill each other, until Vidic drags them back to the dressing room in an ice cold Serbian grip. SAF is red faced spitting on sidelines declaring he's selling all of the bastards.

Evra can't keep his opinions to himself, and takes to social media to give his take on squad disunity. Rio reacts negatively in the comments and they have an insta-live arguement.

AWB doesn't know wtf is going on.

 

[NFM]

Peter Schmeichel

Johnny Carey
Rio Ferdinand
Duncan Edwards
Dennis Irwin

Billy Meredith
Bobby Charlton
Paul Scholes
George Best

Christiano Ronaldo
Dennis Law

Already in the first game comments were made that the side was unbalanced, lacked defensive nous, and several criticism were launched on the RedCafe about players like Giggs, Robson and Vidic being left out.

Henry Winter was the only one who noted, after the heavy loss for a cynical and Violent Mourinho, side that the team hadn’t really had a full preseason, and it didn’t help so many of the players were dead, geriatric or at least had a waistline incompatible with 2020s professional football.

Winter was later found in a pool of blood under the East Stand Clock with the mark of two pair of keeper’s gloves size XXXXL on his throat.

That is one hell of a side, a bit light on defense in midfield, but who would care, win every match by scoring at least 5 each game. If only....

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Keep it up guys, we need more!

 

[Web of Bissaka]

A friendly rivalry between Becks and Ronaldo develops into bitterness, as each tries to build their public image into a marketable brand. Cristiano is jealous Beckham has the #7 shirt, considering himself more worthy - he breaks tradition and opts for #77, as in his own words at a Portuguese press conference - "because I'm twice as good as Beckham".

In retaliation, Beckham refuses to relinquish any freekicks from that point forth which causes on field issues on multiple occasions as players wrestle over balls. Keane sides with Beckham where as Rooney sides with Ronaldo, a division starts to spread amongst the team - the English media fuel it and involve players personal lives - which results in Victoria Beckham slapping Coleen Rooney during an international break.

The next training session, Rooney - never one to turn the other cheek - escalates the situation with a two footed act of vengeance on David Beckham. Ronald runs away first sign of trouble. Keane is furious and goes after Rooney. Giggs, Scholes and Schmeichel get broken noses trying to restrain Keane and Rooney who look certain to kill each other, until Vidic drags them back to the dressing room in an ice cold Serbian grip. SAF is red faced spitting on sidelines declaring he's selling all of the bastards.

Evra can't keep his opinions to himself, and takes to social media to give his take on squad disunity. Rio reacts negatively in the comments and they have an insta-live arguement.

Great wild imagination you have there.

The Free kick conundrum is actually quite realistic

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Van Der Sar
Neville Rio Vidic Evra
Keane
Beckham Scholes
Ronaldo Cantona (F9) Giggs​

A lot of egos/alphas/volatility may cause issues. I don’t know how Vidic, Keane, Beckham, Ronaldo & Cantona would determine who top dog is. Also Beckham & Ronaldo will fight over free kicks & Cantona & Ronaldo will fight over Pens.

Very tempted to put Pogba & Di Maria next to Keane for bants. The first case of a player getting sent off for two footing his own teammates

 

[Grande]

That is one hell of a side, a bit light on defense in midfield, but who would care, win every match by scoring at least 5 each game. If only....

yea, if only ...

 

[MattofManchester]

Hmm, off the top of my head.

Schmeichel
Neville - Ferdinand - Vidic Evra

Carrick
Keane - Scholes

Rooney - Ronaldo

Van Persie


Thinking of Ronaldo back with us, he could be both creator and scorer. Rooney and him are wide, as a tribute to their versatility.

Kept the defence the same as they probably wouldn't be as good without each other.

Midfield is unsure for me, but I imagine it may work quite well, considering Scholes in his more attacking days, Keane being Keane and Carrick's exceptional positional sense and passing from deep.

Problems could be that the front 3 don't gel too well, with Van Persie and Ronaldo perhaps getting in each other's way.

Went with players I knew the most about and saw the most of, so earlier generations aren't included.

Probably, and most likely, Keane, Neville and Rooney(used to be very hot headed) will spend much time suspended, Van Persie will be injured and Ronaldo will end up in ICU after doing another stepover and losing the ball after which Keane turns bright red, drives all the way to the stadium, marches in, and proceeds to assault said Ronaldo on the pitch in full United kit.
Fergie will watch pitchside with the only sign of emotion being a bright reddening of the face and a deeply increased vigor of gum chewing.

 

[RashyForPM]

Schmeichel
Ferdinand Irwin
Edwards
Best Keane Scholes Charlton Giggs
Law Rooney

Where it went wrong? We’ll be playing with two at the back and Edwards, Scholes and Sir Bobby in midfield who would all bomb up. Still, the quality would make us quadruple winners.

 

[Offsideagain]

An impossible task, like choosing your favourite child. I agree with most but may put Nobby Stiles in for Gary Neville and Tony Dunn for Irwin. Duncan Edwards a certainty and is Captain. No room for Crerand! Best, Law and Charlton for sure, the rest anyone will do.