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As a Manchester United fan, Ben Greenwood‘s twofootedtackle.com My Favourite XI of all time does include a few current and ex-players, but it is far from limited to one club or country. You won’t find a single Man City player though!

Previous Favourite XI: Jonathan Blezard
Next Favourite XI: We Only Need Nine Men

Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (Retired)

Without doubt “Schmikes” is the best keeper I’ve seen in my lifetime but it goes way beyond his ability between the sticks. What I loved about Peter was, frankly, his gob. He commanded his defence and, to an impressive extent, the opposition forwards through volume alone and the sight of him red faced and screaming at whoever pricked his anger is one I miss each and every weekend.

Right Back: Cafu (Retired)

As a former right back myself in my playing days Cafu was always the one I wanted to play like. Great in defence, but better going forward, which is where my ambitions lay really, Cafu in his Brazil shirt was what I imagined every time I pulled on whatever T-shirt was passing as ‘kit’ in my hastily arranged XI v XI games. I have a love affair with the Brazilians, as you will see…

Centre Back: Lúcio (Inter Milan)

Lúcio isn’t all that to watch for his club, but put him in a Brazil shirt and for some reason he becomes one of the most entertaining defenders I’ve seen. Not for his last ditch tackles or not-a-second-too-soon headers, but for the fact that you’re far more likely to find him dribbling through the opposition midfield, out of position and looking more than comfortable with it. Not really sure why he IS a defender, to be honest.

Centre Back: David Chadwick (FC United of Manchester)

When FCUM were founded by disgruntled Manchester United fans (myself one of them – I have a certificate to prove it), Chadwick was one of the first players to join and has remained with the club ever since. He made his first competitive appearance in a 3-2 win over Padiham in the club’s first ever home game at Gigg Lane, Bury in 2005. He’s been a near permanent fixture ever since and has come to epitomise what the new club, founded stands for on and off the pitch. A non-league legend, in Manchester at least.

Left Back: Stuart Pearce (Retired)

If anyone has ever stood for the Three Lions it’s Stuart Pearce. We’ve all seen the footage of his reaction following his penalty against Spain at Euro 96. Grit, determination and BALLS. Exactly how he played. Made you proud to be English again, it did. Even Beckham can’t do that.

Midfield: Bryan Robson (Retired)

“Robbo” joined Manchester United just as I was beginning to notice football properly and I suppose I would credit him at least in part for me being an MUFC supporter. I can’t pick one game out of the many as a memory. What I do remember is joking with my mates about how often he dislocated his shoulder and yet there he was (it seemed) every week, driving that United team on. That he did it for England too only cements his place in my heart and in My Favourite XI.

Midfield: Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)

My all time favourite player in my all time favourite XI, of course. Giggs to me is what every footballer should be. Blessed with all the skill in the world, Giggs remains humble, loyal, respectful, aware of his privileged status and determined not to waste it. You want a role model in football, then Ryan Giggs is your man. Are you listening, kids? Oh, and he scored the best goal I’ve ever seen…

Midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Makes it into this XI for the simple fact he is the best player I have ever seen making his debut – and then followed it through consistently for a few years now. I also like the fact that no matter what is thrown at him on or off the pitch, he still puts in a performance. I don’t like his diving though…if it weren’t for that, he’d be a contender for favourite player ever.

Striker: Ronaldo (Corinthians)

I can’t help it, I just love Ronaldo. As strikers go, he beats them all for me. There’s no logical reasoning for it, he’s just always been my favourite. When he scored a hat trick at Old Trafford for Real Madrid and he was cheered and applauded off the pitch by everyone there, it was an oddly proud moment for me, as I felt everyone finally saw what I saw that night!

Striker: Eric Cantona (Retired)

The arrogance, the self belief, the effect he had on his team mates, his refusal to conform. Everything about Cantona was something to be enjoyed if you are a Red and he remains the most missed player at the club. The fact that we still get to see him in adverts, film and now back in football with New York Cosmos is brilliant. The force of his personality more than made up for what little he lacked in talent on the pitch and that personality still exists. The song “My Way” could have been written for him and he always felt like “one of us”.

Striker: Ian Wright (Retired)

The former Arsenal striker is in this list for one reason and one reason only. He was the cornerstone of three successful Fantasy Football teams in a row! Seriously, when I first started playing FF (in The Sun, the shame) I won my private league here years straight thanks to Ian Wright’s ability in front of goal. Ever since then I’ve had a soft spot for the patriotic, often maniacal Englishman!

Substitutes

Goalkeeper: Barrie George (ex-FC United of Manchester)
For no other reason than having the same name as the wrongly convicted Barry George and the terrace song that came of it, Barrie George makes the subs bench here. “Free Barrie George!/He wants the world to know/He didn’t kill Dando!”. Class.

Defender: Paul McGrath (Retired)
McGrath was my kind of defender and I have no idea how he performed to such a high standard for so long with his knee injuries and well documented alcohol problems. Yet “Oo-ah, Paul McGrath” did just that. Amazing man, gifted defender.

Midfielder: Roy Keane (Retired)
Should really be in the starting XI but for Robson. Keane was a hero of mine for a number of reasons. His performance when he got booked in the Champions League semi final, ruling him out of the final epitomises him though – he just rolled up his sleeves and dragged United through to the final. His tunnel bust up with Patrick Vieira is another defining moment. He had so many, I could go on…but I won’t.

Midfielder: Xavi (Barcelona)
Makes the game appear effortless. And is a lovely, lovely man with a clear love of football and the way it should be played. If there’s one player I would like to see at Old Trafford (for us or against us!) it is Xavi. That says it all really.

Striker: Romário (Retired)
My love affair with Brazilian strikers continues with Romario. His partnership with Bebeto at the 1994 World Cup was the reason Brazil won the trophy that year and why I am fascinated by strike partnerships as opposed to strikers. He scored his 1,000th goal in 2007. He couldn’t stop scoring. Look at his record, it’s phenomenal.

Ben Greenwood lives and works in Manchester and edits Sporting Fare. You can follow him on Twitter @inoperante2 and @sportingfare.

Tags: Barrie George, Bryan Robson, Cafu, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Chadwick, Eric Cantona, Ian Wright, Lucio, Paul McGrath, Peter Schmeichel, Romario, Ronaldo, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Stuart Pearce, Xavi