DAVID BECKHAM’s all-time top Manchester United team-mates have been revealed… but the resulting XI means some shock omissions.
After coming through the youth ranks as part of the famous ‘Class of ’92’, Becks made his Red Devils debut in 1992 at the age of 17.
He went on to play 394 games for the club before his exit for Real Madrid in 2003.
During that time Becks, 44, played alongside some of the greats of the game.
And now Manchester United have put together an XI based on those he played alongside the most during his career – with some discretion used to factor in positions and the formation.
Here, we take a look at the side…
GOALKEEPER – Peter Schmeichel (183)
Schmeichel and Beckhan played together a total of 183 times.
The last time was during the 1999 Champions League final.
When the two were on the pitch together, they rarely ended up the losing side.
In fact, they didn’t lose any of their final 29 games when they were on the same team.
Peter Schmeichel won the Treble alongside BecksCredit: PA:Press Association
DEFENCE – Gary Neville (378), Ronny Johnsen (136), Mikael Silvestre (151) and Phil Neville (275)
Gary Neville played more games with Beckham that anybody else at Old Trafford.
They played a staggering 378 games with one another, with 59 of those being with the England national team.
Johnsen and Silvestre played the least games with former Real Madrid star Beckham in this XI – but they were there for some significant moments.
Silvestre’s last game alongside Golden Balls was Beckham’s last ever game for United in 2003.
Meanwhile, Johnson played his first alongside Becks when the-then youngster scored from inside his own half against Wimbledon.
Gary Neville came through the youth ranks with Beckham with the two best matesCredit: Getty – Contributor
MIDFIELD – Roy Keane (257), Nicky Butt (290), Paul Scholes (342) and Ryan Giggs (294)
The formidable Roy Keane shields the defence in this XI.
Of non-Man Utd academy players, the fierce Irishman has the highest tally of games alongside Beckham with 257.
All remaining three: Butt, Scholes and Giggs were Class of 92 graduates.
Butt and Scholes racked up their appearances alongside Beckham through added international caps, with them sharing the field 290 and 342 times respectively.
Ryan Giggs’ epic shirt-off celebration is part of Manchester United folkloreCredit: Reuters
ATTACK – Andy Cole (241) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (238)
Both strikers not only made a ton of appearances alongside Beckham but successfully converted loads of his assists over the years.
Cole had the chance to play with his former teammate recently during the Treble Reunion game against Bayern Munich.
When it comes to current United boss Solskjaer, Beckham has always nothing but good things to say about the Norwegian, even admitting he learned a lot from the 47-year-old.
Now managing Manchester United, Solskjaer (pictured here with Keane) played many games with BeckhamCredit: AFP
Who didn’t make it?
Perhaps the most surprising of all is Eric Cantona.
Cantona joined United in 1992 from Leeds United, just as Beckham was breaking into the side, and would score 82 goals in 185 games for the Red Devils during his time with the club.
The Frenchman helped them win their first top-division title since 1967 in the 92 season.
That was the first of four Premier League titles Cantona won at Old Trafford.
He also won the FA Cup in 1994 and 1996 as well as the Charity Shield on three occasions.
However the maverick didn’t play with Beckham enough to earn a place in this XI.
The same goes for Treble winners Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham, as well as Denis Irwin who played a total of 231 games with the former LA Galaxy ace.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
