MARCUS RASHFORD left himself out when he named his all-time Manchester United six-a-side team.
But the England striker showed just how great Cristiano Ronaldo was in his first Old Trafford spell by including Al Nassr’s new mega-money signing.
Rashford, 24, was asked to pick his dream side in a Q&A session on Instagram Live.
He said: “Right, I’m going to go with most players from the teams that I watched when I was growing up.
“I’d probably have [David] De Gea, but it was a close one between him and [Edwin] Van der Sar.
“When I was a kid Van der Sar was one of the best keepers and obviously playing with David has been great, so I’d have to put David in there.”
Focusing on the outfield players, Rashford said: “At the back I’d have Rio Ferdinand.
“I’m all out attack there. I’d have [Paul] Scholesy in front of Rio, [Ryan] Giggs on the right, [Cristiano] Ronaldo on the left and [Wayne] Rooney up front.
“I’m not putting myself in. Not yet.”
David de Gea
The Spanish goalkeeper has played with Rashford since 2016, but it was a close call between him and Edwin Van der Sar.
De Gea is United’s longest-serving player and is in talks over extending his contract under Erik ten Hag.
Before being replaced by De Gea, Van der Sar managed to keep 135 sheets in just 266 appearances – but arguably had a much better defence in front of him.
Rio Ferdinand
Without hesitation, the long-serving centre-back was the first name that Rashford picked to be in his dream team.
Ferdinand achieved legendary status at Old Trafford after making 455 appearances and winning multiple trophies over 12 years.
Paul Scholes
Scholes was the next player mentioned – even though he has previously questioned whether Rashford is good enough for the Red Devils.
He scored 155 goals in 718 appearances for United, won 11 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and two Champions League trophies.
Ryan Giggs
Rashford credited Giggs and Rooney as the two players that he had learnt the most from throughout his career.
He said: “Rooney. Or maybe Giggs when I first came in and he was coaching under [Louis] van Gaal. He [Giggs] helped me a lot with what he used to say to me.”
Giggs made a whopping 963 appearances for United and scored 168 goals over his 24-year spell.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed in December 2019 that Rashford can follow in the footsteps of the Portuguese legend.
Ronaldo scored an incredible 118 goals in 292 appearances for the club before he left for Real Madrid in 2009.
And although his troubled second spell ended with his contract being terminated last November, the 37-year-old’s legacy was long ago assured.
Wayne Rooney
Last but not least, Rashford picked United’s all-time leading scorer Rooney to lead the line for his dream 6-a-side team.
Speaking about the ex-England star and current DC United boss, he said: “Him and Ronaldo were my two favourite players growing up, so to get an opportunity to play with him was an unbelievable experience.”
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Rashford named Rooney, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona when he was asked to name his top three players of all time.
The striker also had another wish come true when Jadon Sancho arrived at Old Trafford back in 2021, having been desperate to play alongside the former Borussia Dortmund winger.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
