|
|
England v Italy: Milan-Manchester United Best Combined XI
If you could select 11 players from Milan and Manchester United’s squads, what would the team be? Carlo Garganese offers his line-up…
Feb 15, 2010 11:28:00 AM
By Carlo Garganese
Goalkeeper
Edwin van der Sar: The Dutchman may turn 40 later this year, but he still has a safe pair hands and is full of experience. His challengers for this spot are Christian Abbiati and the error-prone Nelson Dida, so van der Sar wins out.
Right Back
John O’Shea: Neither side is blessed with an outstanding right back. Milan have the ageing Gianluca Zambrotta and Massimo Oddo as well as the naïve Ignazio Abate, while the washed-up Gary Neville and inexperienced Rafael don’t really cut it for United. While he will be injured for the Milan tie, O’Shea is an under-rated utility player.
Left Back
Patrice Evra: A clear winner in the left back berth. The Frenchman has almost singlehandedly kept United’s defence together this season, if that is possible for a full back, and is one of the few world class left backs around. The position is a weak link for Milan through the likes of Luca Antonini, Giuseppe Favalli, Marek Jankulovski and Zambrotta.
Centre Backs
Alessandro Nesta & Thiago Silva: Four players were battling it out for these two positions - Nesta, Silva, Rio Ferdinand & Nemanja Vidic – but in truth the two Milanese stars win quite comfortably. Nesta, back from an injury that ruled him out for all but 13 minutes of last season, is the best defender in the world. Thiago Silva, if not already world class, will be very soon. Ferdinand has had a terrible season ravaged by injury and poor form, and there are serious question marks whether he is past his best. As for Vidic, he has also had a difficult campaign and seems destined for a summer transfer.
Left Centre Midfield
Ryan Giggs: The Welsh wizard is 36 now, but the moments of magic have not left his left boot. One of the greatest left midfielders of the last 20 years, Giggs could have been a real worry to Milan in this tie, but a broken arm seems likely to rule him out of both legs.
Centre Midfield
Andrea Pirlo: His form may have been very inconsistent since the last time the two teams met in 2007, but when he is in the mood then perhaps only Barcelona’s Xavi is better at directing the traffic. If Pirlo takes charge against The Red Devils, bet on a Rossoneri triumph.
Right Centre Midfield
Massimo Ambrosini: A really close battle between Ambrosini and United-duo Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick, but the Italian just wins out for the job of midfield bulldog. Ambrosini has been a revelation this season, winning countless balls in midfield, keeping Matthieu Flamini and Rino Gattuso out of the team, and showing real heart.
Right Attacker
Alexandre Pato: Surely the best Under-21 star in world football right now. His final ball can sometimes be hit-and-miss, but there is no denying the explosiveness of Pato. When he is in top form he can destroy any defence, as Real Madrid will attest from earlier this term.
Left Attacker
Ronaldinho: The Brazilian is not back to his Barcelona brilliance – that would be impossible – but he is in his best form since his Camp Nou heyday. No longer able to glide past opponents, Ronnie remains a creative genius and he is top of the Serie A assists charts this season
Central Attacker
Wayne Rooney: After Lionel Messi, and perhaps Barcelona chums Xavi and Andres Iniesta, Rooney is currently the best player in the world. He has dragged United on heroically since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and this season has already scored 23 goals in all competitions. If he continues like this, he could end his career as one of the top three English footballers of all time.
Formation 4-3-3: van der Sar; O’Shea, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Evra; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Giggs; Pato, Rooney, Ronaldinho
What are your views on this topic? What would be your combined Milan-Manchester United XI? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
Edwin van der Sar: The Dutchman may turn 40 later this year, but he still has a safe pair hands and is full of experience. His challengers for this spot are Christian Abbiati and the error-prone Nelson Dida, so van der Sar wins out.
Right Back
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
John O’Shea: Neither side is blessed with an outstanding right back. Milan have the ageing Gianluca Zambrotta and Massimo Oddo as well as the naïve Ignazio Abate, while the washed-up Gary Neville and inexperienced Rafael don’t really cut it for United. While he will be injured for the Milan tie, O’Shea is an under-rated utility player.
Left Back
Patrice Evra: A clear winner in the left back berth. The Frenchman has almost singlehandedly kept United’s defence together this season, if that is possible for a full back, and is one of the few world class left backs around. The position is a weak link for Milan through the likes of Luca Antonini, Giuseppe Favalli, Marek Jankulovski and Zambrotta.
Centre Backs
Alessandro Nesta & Thiago Silva: Four players were battling it out for these two positions - Nesta, Silva, Rio Ferdinand & Nemanja Vidic – but in truth the two Milanese stars win quite comfortably. Nesta, back from an injury that ruled him out for all but 13 minutes of last season, is the best defender in the world. Thiago Silva, if not already world class, will be very soon. Ferdinand has had a terrible season ravaged by injury and poor form, and there are serious question marks whether he is past his best. As for Vidic, he has also had a difficult campaign and seems destined for a summer transfer.
Left Centre Midfield
Ryan Giggs: The Welsh wizard is 36 now, but the moments of magic have not left his left boot. One of the greatest left midfielders of the last 20 years, Giggs could have been a real worry to Milan in this tie, but a broken arm seems likely to rule him out of both legs.
Centre Midfield
Andrea Pirlo: His form may have been very inconsistent since the last time the two teams met in 2007, but when he is in the mood then perhaps only Barcelona’s Xavi is better at directing the traffic. If Pirlo takes charge against The Red Devils, bet on a Rossoneri triumph.
Right Centre Midfield
Massimo Ambrosini: A really close battle between Ambrosini and United-duo Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick, but the Italian just wins out for the job of midfield bulldog. Ambrosini has been a revelation this season, winning countless balls in midfield, keeping Matthieu Flamini and Rino Gattuso out of the team, and showing real heart.
|
Don't Miss...
"When you play for United or AC Milan, every game is a big occasion. Nobody will be intimidated" - Luther Blissett You can find all our Man Utd-Milan editorial content here |
Right Attacker
Alexandre Pato: Surely the best Under-21 star in world football right now. His final ball can sometimes be hit-and-miss, but there is no denying the explosiveness of Pato. When he is in top form he can destroy any defence, as Real Madrid will attest from earlier this term.
Left Attacker
Ronaldinho: The Brazilian is not back to his Barcelona brilliance – that would be impossible – but he is in his best form since his Camp Nou heyday. No longer able to glide past opponents, Ronnie remains a creative genius and he is top of the Serie A assists charts this season
Central Attacker
Wayne Rooney: After Lionel Messi, and perhaps Barcelona chums Xavi and Andres Iniesta, Rooney is currently the best player in the world. He has dragged United on heroically since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and this season has already scored 23 goals in all competitions. If he continues like this, he could end his career as one of the top three English footballers of all time.
Formation 4-3-3: van der Sar; O’Shea, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Evra; Ambrosini, Pirlo, Giggs; Pato, Rooney, Ronaldinho
What are your views on this topic? What would be your combined Milan-Manchester United XI? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think…
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Discover football's best & worst pledges
Goal.com takes a look back at some of the best and worst promises made by members of the football fraternity over the years
-
Spain's Euro 2012 hopes hit hard by Villa blow
The Barcelona striker will be out of the continental competition after failing to fully recover from a broken tibia sustained in December's Club World Cup. He will be sorely missed
-
Cartoon: Drogba waves goodbye to Chelsea
The Ivorian confirmed his intention to leave Stamford Bridge on Tuesday after eight years at the club, meaning his final kick for the Blues sealed Champions League glory
-
Conte claims Serie A Coach of the Season award
The Italian led Juventus to the Scudetto with an unbeaten record and is deemed the best trainer on the peninsula by the readers in our end-of-term vote
-
All the players available for free in England
A host of big-name Premier League stars are out of contract at the end of the season and Goal.com gives you the top five bargains who will be snapped up for absolutely nothing
