Keane at his peak was. There was no one better in his position around 98/99.
I wouldn't describe Cantona as world class. He was a good Premier League player but didn't perform at the top level, i.e. Champion's League. Can't argue with Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes though. Agree that Schmiechael should be up there.
What about Van Nistelrooy as a forward? Ferdinand at his peak? Beckham even?
I think Cantona was part of the United team that took a while to get used to how to win in the CL. You've got to remember that English clubs being banned after Heisel and the time it took for us to re-adjust etc. Cantona was slap bang in the time of their early CL attempts. For me he was class, probably my best ever player. Probably had something to do with my age at the time being 10-16 when he was playing.
I had this video when I was younger called Eric the King. That video demonstrated how much emphasis Alex placed on Cantona being the catalyst for United to turn into a powerhouse. He was the start of it IMO. I couldn't believe Leeds agreed to sell him and for only £1.2m.
Cantona is for me one of the greats of football. Van Nistelrooy was a great striker, but then so was Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. All of them had great goal scoring records. Ferdinand yes was class, but do you compare him to a Maldini and say, he was as good. Beckham, great for England and such a talent, was it perhaps the manner in which Beckham left that Alex Ferguson omitted him. Tough to call
I heard Eric Cantona was biffing Leslie Ash (Lee chapmans Mrs) and Chapman said "either he goes or I do". Leeds got rid of both
Beckham had a world class image, but wasn't world class as a player. Was leagues behind the big midfield names at the time.
His best goalscoring season contained 11 goals, and his best assist season was 15. Hardly prolific for a winger.
In all-time numbers of assists in the Premier League, David Beckham is behind names such as: Nani, Luis Valencia, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Leighton Baines.
For such a famed fantastic crosser, you'd expect far better stats than that.
Cantona didn't only miss out on Europe, he didn't get to play I a World Cup either. His temperament largely cost him the chance to run the French midfield - getting banned or picking a fight with the manager - and I think that counts against him. World class, but didn't play at a World Cup, mostly by his own design. Doesn't fit IMO.
A good way to do it would be name your best XI for Man Utd under Ferguson for your era
Mine would be
Schmichael
Neville Stam Ferdinand Irwin
Beckham Keane Scholes Giggs
Ronaldo Cantona
Of those I would say Cantona, Giggs, Scholes, Ronaldo and Schmeichel
I'd have Kanchelskis over Beckham in that team. Or drop Ronaldo back to right midfield and play Van Nistelrooy as Cantona's partner. Either way I don't see Beckham making it into the best XI.
A good way to do it would be name your best XI for Man Utd under Ferguson for your era
Mine would be
Schmichael
Neville Stam Ferdinand Irwin
Beckham Keane Scholes Giggs
Ronaldo Cantona
Of those I would say Cantona, Giggs, Scholes, Ronaldo and Schmeichel
I'd have Kanchelskis over Beckham in that team. Or drop Ronaldo back to right midfield and play Van Nistelrooy as Cantona's partner. Either way I don't see Beckham making it into the best XI.
I did think of putting Kanchelskis in, he was class. I think I went with Beckham for length of time at Man Utd, but I did rate Kanchelskis, lethal
Cantona didn't only miss out on Europe, he didn't get to play I a World Cup either. His temperament largely cost him the chance to run the French midfield - getting banned or picking a fight with the manager - and I think that counts against him. World class, but didn't play at a World Cup, mostly by his own design. Doesn't fit IMO.
If he isn't world class, then what he done at Selhurst park makes him a out of this world player.
Very petty and vindictive of Ferguson not to have the likes of Schemeichel, Keane and Beckham labelled as world class players.
Big Pete pretty much won Euro 92 on his own for the Danes, and was an unbelievable keeper for a long, long time - if he wasn't world class, then I am not sure who is.
As for Keane, he was the main man for Man Utd and Ireland for over a decade, and whatever your personal feelings against him, for that decade I can't think of many better players than him in middle of the field.
As for Beckham, well he played for Man Utd, Real Madrid and AC Milan. Played over 100 games for his country, and played in three World Cups, and two Euro's. Again if that is not the record of a world class player, then you are looking at a very small pool indeed!
Beckham was a very good players and excellent crosser/set piece taker but not world class. I think Real Madrid signed him more on his name/imagine then anything else. It also helps that he can play a bit but the money they made out of him was unreal
Depends what "world class" means. If it means that a player would be selected to play in their position in a World XI of the period, I reckon he's probably about right. At their peak, who would ever replace Paolo Maldini, Cannavaro or Buffon in a World XI? Was Beckham better than Marc Overmas or Hristo Stoichkov? Who at Man U was better than Marco Van Basten or Dennis Bergkamp?
Comments
Bebe?
Mine would be
Schmichael
Neville Stam Ferdinand Irwin
Beckham Keane Scholes Giggs
Ronaldo Cantona
Of those I would say Cantona, Giggs, Scholes, Ronaldo and Schmeichel
Fergie regretted letting a world class go and then ensured Ferdinand missed a drugs test in an attempt to avoid a ban.
Big Pete pretty much won Euro 92 on his own for the Danes, and was an unbelievable keeper for a long, long time - if he wasn't world class, then I am not sure who is.
As for Keane, he was the main man for Man Utd and Ireland for over a decade, and whatever your personal feelings against him, for that decade I can't think of many better players than him in middle of the field.
As for Beckham, well he played for Man Utd, Real Madrid and AC Milan. Played over 100 games for his country, and played in three World Cups, and two Euro's. Again if that is not the record of a world class player, then you are looking at a very small pool indeed!
Was Beckham better than Marc Overmas or Hristo Stoichkov? Who at Man U was better than Marco Van Basten or Dennis Bergkamp?