- Ferdinand named in Manchester’s final XI since 2000 ahead of Sunday’s derby
- There was no place in the team for players like Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
- Is Bruno Fernandes good enough to be on the Manchester City bench? Listen to the Podcast Everything is beginning
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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has named his definitive Manchester XI since 2000, and included himself in the team.
Erik ten Hag’s United will look to put their disappointing home defeat to Fulham last weekend behind them when they travel to the Etihad on Sunday.
City, meanwhile, will look to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool with another win over United this season.
Ahead of the showdown, Ferdinand named his combined team from the turn of the century, leaving out Red Devils legend Roy Keane while casting Wayne Rooney in an unconventional role.
In goal it was a toss-up between Edwin Van Der Saar and David De Gea and Ferdinand opted for the former and said: “I think Van der Sar is the standout for me. We said it straight away.
Rio Ferdinand has named his best Manchester XI since 200 ahead of Sunday’s derby
In the goal there was a draw between Edwin Van Der Saar and David De Gea but the first was chosen
Ferdinand left Gary Neville out of his team and says Kyle Walker is the best right back
There was also no place in the team for Roy Keane despite
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“I think David De Gea probably had more highlights than Van der Sar, but Van der Sar had that calming influence and that balance, and he was one of the first goalkeepers of that generation to be great with his feet as well.” . So I take it as a package.”
Right-back was an easy decision: Ferdinand claimed Kyle Walker is “the best in Premier League history”, while Patrice Evra named left-back due to his consistency, leaving out Gary Neville in the process.
City had several shouts for centre-backs with players such as Vincent Kompany and John Stones, but Ferdinand, as expected, opted for himself and his former teammate Nemanja Vidic.
The holding midfielder may raise some eyebrows as Rodri was selected ahead of Keane due to the effect his absence has on City and some of their “decisive targets”.
I was a triple midfielder for City with Rodri, De Bruyne and Yaya Touré in Ferdinand’s XI
Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were a deadly duo for United and formed the XI
Sergio Agüero beat Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin Van Persie
In a 4-3-3 setup, Ferdinand chose Kevin De Bruyne and Paul Scholes, but co-host Stephen Howson added Yaya Touré to the mix. Finally, a third party behind the camera ruled in favor of a duo of Touré and De Bruyne in front of Rodri.
Ferdinand insisted on forcing Rooney into the side and selected him as a left winger despite his best days being up top and Cristiano Ronaldo on the right.
The striker position was a toss-up between Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin Van Persie and Sergio Agüero, but it was the latter as he was one of Ferdinand’s “toughest” forwards that Ferdinand faced.
