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Becks better than Ronaldo?
Tue, Feb 03, 2009
The New Paper

NO CRISTIANO Ronaldo. No Wayne Rooney. Not even Eric 'The King' Cantona.

As far as Paul Scholes is concerned, they are not good enough, reported The Sunday People.

The Manchester United midfield star, 34, was asked by the Red Devils' official magazine, United Review, to pick the best players he has played with during his time at the club.

And his best United XI has no room for the reigning Fifa World Player of the Year and Ballon D'Or winner, Ronaldo. In another snub that may baffle United fans, Scholes did not even name iconic playmaker Cantona to the substitutes bench.

Here is Scholes' Best United XI. Do you agree?

PETER SCHMEICHEL

YOU can't argue with that. The Great Dane is not only the greatest goalkeeper in United's history, he is arguably the best in Premiership history.

GARY NEVILLE

A BRILLIANT defender and leader, Neville is one cap away from equalling Kenny Sansom's record for the most capped England full-back. You can't find a better right-back in the British game right now.

RIO FERDINAND

I CAN'T agree with Scholes on this one. Yes, Ferdinand has been fantastic in recent years, but his early days at United were dogged by lapses in concentration, indiscipline and schoolboy errors.

And who can forget that missed dope test in 2003 that booted him out of the game for eight months?

WES BROWN

AS a centre-back, is Wes Brown better than Jaap Stam, Gary Pallister or Nemanja Vidic? I really don't think so.

DENIS IRWIN

EASY choice here. Irwin is Mr Reliable for Man United. Stick him at either flank and Irwin will do the job for you. He takes a mean free-kick as well.

DAVID BECKHAM

SCHOLES is right. As a right-sided midfielder, Beckham is better than Cristiano Ronaldo by a mile.

Beckham may not have the tricks and flicks, but his delivery, assists and goals from set-pieces are more consistent than the Portuguese trick pony.

ROY KEANE

AFTER Keane's departure in 2005, United spent ?52 million ($104m) on Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves and Anderson. Yet these midfield stars still can't fully replace the Irish midfield general.

BRYAN ROBSON

HE IS not called Captain Marvel for nothing. Robson will give his life for his team. For younger fans who had not watched Robson in action, imagine him this way: Steven Gerrard + Frank Lampard x 2. Yup, that's it.

RYAN GIGGS

TEN Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, four FA Cup winners' medals, 786 games for United and counting. Enough said.

RUUD van NISTELROOY

YOU can't argue with a man who scored 150 goals in just five years at the club. He is the closest thing to Marco van Basten the world has seen.

TEDDY SHERINGHAM

SHERINGHAM played a vital role in winning the 1999 Champions League final for the Red Devils, but among the best XI for United? Personally, Ronaldo would have been a better choice here.

 

 
STORY INDEX
 
  LIFE AFTER VICTORY
   
 
  Not a five-star final
   
 
  Good for Man Utd, bad for the rest
   
 
  Becks better than Ronaldo?
   
 
  Reports to be sent to AFC
   
 
  My famous cousin
   
 
  LIFE IS A BALL
   
 
  Arsenal need 'Vin'
   
 
  Fancy a game of Club Swap?
   
 
  BE BRAVE, RAFA
   
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