Champions League final: what should Man Utd’s starting line-up be?

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20th, May 2008

Choose your Man Utd starting XI…
Fergie has a very tough job picking just eleven players for tomorrow’s CL final. He has told the media “I know my team”, but obviously he has not yet revealed it. Which team would you start with? Here’s my selection, in a 4-3-3 formation:
The back five
Edwin van der Sar
A no brainer. The Dutchman’ big-match experience makes him an automatic selection in goal.
Wes Brown
Right back is not his best position, but without Gary Neville, Brown is the best alternative United have. Owen Hargreaves could also do a job here, but he might be required further upfield.
Rio Ferdinand
Another automatic selection. Having his best ever season and there is no doubt he will start as captain.


Nemanja Vidic
A small degree of doubt about his fitness, but he and Rio form such a formidable central defensive partnership, that he has to start.
Patrice Evra
One of United’s best players this season, and another automatic selection for Moscow.
The midfield three
Michael Carrick
United’s best passer has had a fine 2008 and is virtually assured of a starting place.
Paul Scholes
Scored the goal that knocked out Barcelona and has already been guaranteed a place in the team by his manager. Missed out on the 1999 final after suspension and deserves this chance to shine.
Owen Hargreaves
So versatile, and his amazing work-rate will be needed to counter the threat of Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and co.
The attacking three
Cristiano Ronaldo
First name on the team sheet.
Wayne Rooney
Again, an automatic selection.
Carlos Tevez
Far from certain that the Argentine will start, with many observers thinking that Fergie will go with the more defensive option of Ji-Sung Park, who is something of a lucky mascot for the Red Devils: in the last two seasons, Park has started 22 matches for United – they have won 21 and drawn one.
Is that the team you’d start with? Post your selection in a comment…

Posted in Champions League, Man Utd

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