Source: Daily_Mail
Beckham sparks Man United debate but who wins: the heroes of 1999 or 2009's stars?
David Beckham reckons Manchester United's [LNB]current side is just as good as the team that won the Treble in 1999.[LNB]The midfielder was part of the line-up that lifted the Champions League 10 years ago and his claims have sparked debate over which team comes out on top.[LNB]Sportsmail has analysed the best starting XIs from the 1998-99 season and the present day, offering each player a mark out of 10 for their contribution.[LNB]As always, let us know which side you think is the best by posting your comments.[LNB] Golden boy: David Beckham celebrates the 1999 Champions League triumph[LNB] REVEALED: The only English side to be unbeaten against Italian opposition in the Champions League... And it's little old Leeds[LNB]A-Zlatan: Our guide to the cream of the stars in European football[LNB]MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] 1999Peter SchmeichelThe Dane's eight years at Manchester United brought five league titles and he skippered the Red Devils to their Champions League triumph. Schmeichel was one hell of a goalkeeper. 9/10 Gary NevilleA life-long Red, Neville may not be everyone's favourite player but his commitment can never be doubted. 8/10[LNB]Rock solid: Jaap Stam[LNB] Jaap StamThe Dutch defender spent three seasons at Old Trafford and won three Premier League titles. 8/10Ronny JohnsenHis career was plagued by injuries but the versatile defender, who also played in midfield for United, was called upon by Ferguson for all United's big game. 7/10Denis IrwinUnited's most decorated player, with 13 medals to his name, the Irishman belied his 34 years in the 1999 Champions League final. 8/10David BeckhamBeckham responded to his critics after being sent off for England against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup with a wonderful season in a United shirt. 8/10Paul ScholesSuspended for the Champions League final but an integral part of Ferguson's treble-winning side, Scholes is another one-club man who has won everything in the game with United. 9/10Roy KeaneIf Ferguson calls you the best he's ever worked with, you must be good. Although suspended for the Nou Camp final, Keane won seven league titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League with United. 9/10Ryan GiggsThe Welsh wizard was 25 years old in May 1999 and had the speed to match his skill and intelligence on the football field. 9/10[LNB] Heroes: Peter Schmeicel and Dwight Yorke[LNB]Andy ColeCole and Yorke were an unstoppable partnership in 1999, scoring 35 league goals between them. Cole took a while to settle at Old Trafford but remains the second highest scorer in Premier League history behind Alan Shearer. 8/10Dwight YorkeThe other half of a potent strike partnership, Yorke outdid Cole by just one goal, finishing the 1998-99 season as United's top league goal-scorer (18 goals). 8/10Subs:[LNB]Teddy SheringhamSheringham's starting appearances were limited after Yorke's arrival at Old Trafford, but the 33-year-old still scored goals when it mattered. 7/10Ole Gunnar SolskjaerSuper sub Solskjaer, the 'Baby-Faced Assassin', scored 12 league goals for United in 1998-99 and scored the goal that gave Sir Alex Ferguson his first Champions League title. 8/10[LNB] Partners in crime: Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand[LNB]2009Edwin van der SarThe Dutch goalkeeper has gone 14 league game without conceding a goal but is he better than Schmeichel? No - Van der Sar has a more impressive defensive pairing to protect him. 8/10Gary NevilleThe right-back faces stiff competition from Wes Brown and youngster Rafael da Silva but the fully fit club captain, who has made 565 appearances for United, would still be Ferguson's first choice. 8/10[LNB]Timeless: Ryan Giggs[LNB] Rio FerdinandThe England defender forms one half of the country's best defensive pairing alongside Vidic and has been fantastic this season. 9/10Nemanja VidicMany of you voted him as your Player of the Season so far in our online poll and why not - the Serbian has continued his outstanding form from 2007-8 this season. He's also scored six goals for United. 9/10Patrice EvraThe 'best left-back in the country' according to Sportsmail's Martin Samuel, making it difficult to choose between Irwin's and the physicality of Evra. The Frenchman edges it, just. 9/10Darren FletcherYou complained when our Chief Sports Writer Martin Samuel said Fletcher was a better player than Liverpool's Javier Mascherano or Xabi Alonso, but 200 United appearances tell their own story. Is he better than Roy Keane or Scholes in their prime? Of course not, but he's still a player for the big occasion. 7/10Ryan GiggsThe only player to score in every Premier League season, Giggs's longevity is a testimony to his professionalism and dedication to the game. 8/10Michael CarrickHe's not a midfield goal-scorer in the mould of Giggs or Scholes, but Carrick has become an integral part of Ferguson's plans at Old Trafford. 7/10Cristiano RonaldoWhat can you say about Ronaldo? He might not be reaching the heights of last season's utter dominance but he remains one of the Premier League's star men. 9/10[LNB] Flying high: Cristiano Ronaldo is United's current star[LNB]Wayne Rooney'The best young player I have seen in my time' said Ferguson. That's some praise when you consider those who have gone before him. 9/10 Dimitar BerbatovHe hasn't quite lived up to expectations since moving to Old Trafford at the start of the season, but the Bulgaria international remains a classy player and has 12 United goals to his name so far. 7/10Subs:Carlos TevezA lethal finisher, but will United sign him on a long-term deal when they have the likes of Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo in their ranks? 7/10Paul ScholesNow 34, Scholes is still putting in impressive performances in a Manchester United shirt, having retired from international duty to concentrate on club commitments. Fabio Capello would still look twice if Scholes made himself available again. 8/10[LNB]VERDICT1999: 106/1302009: 105/130[LNB] REVEALED: The only English side to be unbeaten against Italian opposition in the Champions League... And it's little old Leeds[LNB]A-Zlatan: Our guide to the cream of the stars in European football[LNB]MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
