How does our current squad rate in comparison to 99?
This article is based up on a post by Macari in the United forum.
Macari:
How does our current squad rate in comparison to 99?
Lets say 23 players:
99
Schmeichel
Van Der Gouw
Stam
Neville
Johnsen
Berg
Gaz
Irwin
Phil
May
Brown
Beckham
Keane
Scholes
Butt
Giggs
Blomqvist
Greening
Cruyff
Yorke
Cole
Teddy
Ole
06
Van Der Saar
Kuszsack
Vidic
Neville
Rio
Brown
Gaz
Heinze
Evra
Silvestre
O'Shea
Fletcher
Ronaldo
Giggs
Scholes
Carrick
Park
Richardson
Jones
Rooney
Saha
Smith
Ole
Stretford-end:
Great start to the forum is this question. When you ask, probably any fan of English football, what United side is better, that of 99 or that of today, they would probably laugh you down considering we've been in 'decline' since then.
That side in 1999 was an exceptional team, there was top quality throughout the side and there was a never say die attitude embedded amongest the players. There where many things that stood out from that side, most noticeably the partnership between Yorke and Cole, that midfield and the strength in depth we had.
Today's side is blessed with two of the most exceptional youngsters I have ever seen in football, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Wayne Rooney is an exceptionally talented player. Can operate really anywhere on the pitch and is always hungry for the ball. He may never score as many goals as Cole did but he will be the scorer of great goals, exceptional goals. He is vital towards our play and has played a major contribution in the revival of Saha. Cristiano Ronaldo, in my eyes, can go on to become the best player in the world. I did have my doubts, probably smashed into me from cockney journalists in the tabloids, but I did think he overplayed at times. However, this season, he has been our best player. He runs passed people like they're not there and is constant threat down the flank. He is looking the excellent player that we all thought he would become after his debut against Bolton three years ago.
Lets not side track the other exceptional players we have in the side, Vidic and Ferdinand (see player of the month for November 06) have been excellent so far this season and compliment each other very well. In comparison to Stam and Johnson I believe this partnership is better. To be fair to Ronny he did have horrendous injuries and didn't play as often as he would have liked to with Jaap. Jaap for me was our best defender we have had at the club. Big, tall, strong and he could read the game very well, he was a monster and was a top player. I remember his debut in the 3-0 drumming against Arsenal in the August of 98. Again all the papers slated a United player that hadn't played well, after one game! Neville, Scholes and Giggs are now more experienced and although Giggsy is 33 at the end of this month he has been excellent so far this season. The importance of Scholes to the side has never been more evident as this season. He has been excellent, dictating the way we play and setting the tempo of the game. Neville, now captain, is still reliable and consistent, for me he is a better player now than in 99. With Scholes and Giggsy I would probably take the 99 one's as they made up that excellent midfield with Keano and Beckham.
With regards to the strikers, we had much more strength and depth in 99 and it showed against Bayern. Imagine we where in the same situation now, who would we bring on? Cole and Yorke had an amazing partnership and scored so many goals that season. I always liked Teddy as a footballer aswell, very intelligent and a good professional which is evident as he is still playing. And what more can you say about Ole other than legend.
Lastly, the gaffers hunger and drive for success hasn't changed over the years. He did have a bad period when he brought poorer players to the club than he had done in the past, but I thought he was too harshly criticized considering the amount of success he has brought us.
So to conclude, if I had to pick, it would probably be the 99 side due to that midfield and the striking options we had up front.