Alex Ferguson believes that the current Manchester United squad better than theone back in the 1998-99 treble winning season.
His side returned with a precious away goal in a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at theBernabau in the Last Sixteen in the first leg of their Champions League. They arealso 12 points ahead of rivals Manchester City in the Premier League and theyhave a match against Reading on Monday in the FA Cup. So still in with chance ofrepeating that momentous season, Ferguson says that the squad is better than 14years ago. Lets have a look....
GOALKEEPER:
2013: DE GEA V 1999: SCHMEICHEL
Verdict: Schmeichel is regarded as one of the best keepers of all time and even with DeGea “coming of age” against Real Madrid he has had a rocky start at Old Trafford.
RIGHT BACK:
2013: RAFAEL V 1999: NEVILLE
Verdict: Rafael is having a fantastic season and for a full back is getting his fair share ofgoals however, Neville experience meant he just shades this contest.
CENTRE BACKS:
2013: FERDINAND/VIDIC V 1999: JOHNSEN/STAM
Verdict: With United’s defence seeing problems this season and with Ferdinand getting ona bit and Vidic having had a few injury issues once again the rock solid defence ofJohnsen and Stam see through another victory for the 1999 side over 2013.
LEFT BACK:
2013: EVRA V 1999: IRWIN
Verdict: With Evra having the season of his life and having captained Man U on manyoccasions, he bags the 2013 side its first victory.
RIGHT MIDFIELDER:
2013: VALENCIA V 1999: BECKHAM
Verdict: In a season spent mostly in the papers Beckham still managed to show himself asone of the best in the world and even with Valencia having a decent he can’t matchBeckham in this one.
CENTRE MIDFIELDERS:
2013: CLEVERLEY/CARRICK V 1999: KEANE/BUTT
Verdict: WIth Giggs still making appearances in the 2013 in the centre, the current centralmidfield has had depth so thats why Cleverley and Carrick just about pip the Keane andButt.
LEFT MIDFIELDER:
2013: YOUNG V 1999: GIGGS
Verdict: It would seem harsh to not give this one to Giggs, being the focal point for theside over many years, but he was at the physical peak back in 1999.
CENTRE FORWARDS:
2013: ROONEY/VAN PERSIE V 1999: COLE/YORKE
Verdict: Leaning towards the 1999 side because of the depth which included Sherignhamand Solskjaer however both attacks are feared throughout the world so this one has to bea tie.
So the side of 1999 got 5 to this years 2 but by no means does this mean the class of2013 can’t match the heroics, and more importantly the trophy count of their 1999counterparts.
Disagree with any of the judgements? Can Man U do the treble again?
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Source: DSG
