Manchester United have had some phenomenal players to grace Old Trafford over the years.
The likes of George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and many more legendary figures have blessed Red Devils managers and coaching staff with their presence at the club.
Over the Premier League era, United have arguably had more sublime players than any other side in the English top flight.
However, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards only agree three prominent names get into the ‘all-time Premier League XI.’
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards agree on three Man Utd players in greatest ever Premier League XI
On an episode of Match of the Day’s Top 10s, Shearer and Richards sat down with Gary Lineker to discuss their ‘all-time Premier League XI’.
The pair had very different teams, but three Manchester United stars were apparent in both – which were Peter Schmeichel, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.
The pair initially had very high praise for the towering Danish goalkeeper and were both certain he claimed that number one spot.
Shearer said: “Had to be. I hated him when I was playing against him. But I get on really well with him now – he’s a really nice guy. Very, very good goalkeeper. Had to be him.”
Richards said: “The Great Dane. In terms of what Schmeichel could do, the presence he had. The awareness, the way he controlled the back line. His voice. He was without doubt number one.”
They both unanimously said Ferdinand was among their defenders, whilst also deciding Rooney had to get in – albeit in different positions for each pundit.
“It was out of Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney for that number 10. I just went Rooney,” said Richards.
Alan Shearer vs Micah Richard ‘All-Time Premier League XI’
The pairs full squads can be viewed below:
Alan Shearer All-Time Premier League XI
Formation: 4-3-3
- GK: Peter Schmeichel
- RB: Gary Neville
- CB: John Terry
- CB: Rio Ferdinand
- LB: Ashley Cole
- CM: Steven Gerrard
- CM: Patrick Vieira
- CM: Paul Scholes
- RW: Wayne Rooney
- ST: Alan Shearer
- LW: Thierry Henry
Two more former Red Devils featuring for Shearer in Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.
Micah Richards All-Time Premier League XI
Formation: 3-1-3-3
- GK: Peter Schmeichel
- CB: Vincent Kompany
- CB: John Terry
- CB: Rio Ferdinand
- CDM: Patrick Vieira
- CM: Steven Gerrard
- CM: Roy Keane
- CAM: Wayne Rooney
- RW: Cristiano Ronaldo
- ST: Alan Shearer
- LW: Thierry Henry
A slightly unorthodox formation for Richards, which includes two United names Shearer didn’t in Cristiano Ronaldo and Roy Keane.
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