Rio Ferdinand names his ultimate Manchester XI since 2000 as he omits Roy Keane, picks Wayne Rooney in unconventional role – and includes himself in the line-up
- Ferdinand named ultimate Manchester XI since 2000 ahead of Sunday’s derby
- There was no place in the team for the likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville
- Is Bruno Fernandes good enough to be on the bench at Manchester City? Listen to the It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has named his ultimate Manchester XI since 2000 – and included himself in the squad.
Erik ten Hag’s United will look to put last weekend’s disappointing home defeat to Fulham behind them when they travel to the Etihad on Sunday.
Meanwhile, City will look to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool with another win over United this season.
Ahead of the clash, Ferdinand named his combined team since the turn of the century and left out Red Devil legend Roy Keane while picking Wayne Rooney in an unconventional role.
In goal it was a toss-up between Edwin Van Der Saar and David De Gea and Ferdinand opted for the former, saying: ‘I think Van der Sar is the standout player for me. We said it immediately.
Rio Ferdinand has named his ultimate Manchester XI since 200, ahead of Sunday’s derby
In goal it was a toss-up between Edwin Van Der Saar and David De Gea, but the former was picked
Ferdinand left Gary Neville out of his team and says Kyle Walker is the best right-back
Despite that, there was no place for Roy Keane in the team
“David De Gea probably had more moments of excellence than Van der Sar, but Van der Sar had that calming influence and that balance, and he was one of the first goalkeepers of that generation who was also great with his feet. . So I just think I’ll take it as a package.’
Right-back was a clear decision, with Ferdinand claiming Kyle Walker is ‘the best in Premier League history’, while Patrice Evra was named left-back due to his consistency, leaving out Gary Neville.
City had a number of shouts at centre-back with the likes of Vincent Kompany and John Stones, but Ferdinand unsurprisingly opted for himself and former partner Nemanja Vidic.
The midfielder could raise eyebrows among some as Rodri was selected ahead of Keane due to the impact his absence has on City and some of his ‘clutch goals’.
I was a midfield triple of Rodri, De Bruyne and Yaya Touré in Ferdinand’s XI
Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were a deadly duo for United and made the XI
Sergio Aguero defeated competition from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin Van Persie
In a 4-3-3 formation, Ferdinand opted for Kevin De Bruyne and Paul Scholes, but co-presenter Stephen Howson added Yaya Toure to the mix. Ultimately, a third party behind the camera ruled in favor of a duo of Toure, De Bruyne for Rodri.
Ferdinand insisted on forcing Rooney into the team and selected him as a left winger despite his best days up top and Cristiano Ronaldo on the right.
The striker position was a matter of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin Van Persie and Sergio Aguero, but it was the latter because he was one of Ferdinand’s ‘toughest’ attackers that Ferdinand was up against.
