MANCHESTER UNITED are on their knees after having to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following a brutal run of form.
The Red Devils have lost seven of their last 13 games in all competitions, culminating in Saturday’s 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Watford.
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With Solskjaer since dispensed with, Michael Carrick takes interim charge for tonight’s Champions League clash with Villarreal.
While the Norwegian was the hero in 1999, Carrick was part of United‘s last side to win the famous competition back in 2008.
But he is currently faced with a bunch that are nowhere near as good as that golden team.
Edwin van der Sar at that point was a more reliable goalkeeper than David de Gea.
While Wes Brown was more dependable than this season’s erratic Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Luke Shaw has had a disappointing time since his Euro 2020 heroics, and would be edged out by Patrice Evra.
While Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were one of the Premier League’s best ever partnerships, easily being selected ahead of Harry Maguire and new boy Raphael Varane.
Carrick himself was composed and consistent in holding midfield, while Paul Scholes was a classy operator for Sir Alex.
Both would walk into the side over Scott McTominay and Fred.
It could be argued that Owen Hargreaves should be in this combined XI as well.
But to be kind to the current generation, let’s put Paul Pogba in there.
At his best the Frenchman would offer something to any team in the world… and due to his injury he has played badly less recently than Bruno Fernandes has.
While Cristiano Ronaldo still bangs the goals in, his 2008 version would walk into a team ahead of the 36-year-old edition of today.
Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez made up the other two pieces of an incredible attacking trio that the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani just can’t compete with.
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