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Jude Ellery is the man behind Football Farrago and, as you’re about to find out, a die-hard Manchester United fan. He’s also a bit of a football classicist, and his My Favourite XI is a wonderful mix of all-time greats and United stars through the ages. Keep your eyes peeled for a couple of English gems from the last 25 years too.

Previous Favourite XI: Ryan Hubbard
Next Favourite XI: Calum Mechie

Goalkeeper: Gregory Coupet

Peter Schmeichel was too obvious, so instead I went for the man who pulled off the best double save in history. As if the resourceful header onto the crossbar wasn’t enough he also leapt to keep out Ronaldo’s bullet header from the rebound. I’ve watched it again and am pretty sure he’s still in the goal when the second shot comes in.

Right back: Wes Brown

A brilliant role model and exemplary professional, Wesley Michael Brown has been at Manchester United his whole career despite only playing an average of around 15 games a season. Had he been an inch taller or a yard quicker he could’ve been one of the best defenders in the country, but I like him just the way he is (ginger hair included). The kind of player, along with team-mate John O’Shea, who helps win championships by always being ready to step in and put in an anonymous 7/10 performance.

Centre back: Jaap Stam

The Dutchman’s finest moment in a United shirt came in the Champions League. Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano twice tried to intimidate the six foot three colossus by barging into his chest, and was twice repelled like a bothersome wasp on a summer’s day. I was distraught when Alex Ferguson sold him to Lazio – but you don’t mess with Sir Alex and get away with it.

Centre back: Lucio

Like Stam, Lucio is one of the most physically imposing defenders in world football. His immaculate neutering of powerhouse forward Didier Drogba in the 2010 Champions League last-16 tie resembled a super-heavyweight bout, but no judge’s decision was necessary to determine who’d won. Not only is he a terrific defender who has pace, strength, aerial ability and good reading of the game, but he can play a bit too. Loves to stride out of defence and is surprisingly nimble for a man of his size.

Left back: Roberto Carlos

Any defender who’s remember for ‘that’ goal can be proud, but when you’ve also scored from the corner flag and in a Champions League final you’re sure to go down in folklore. Yes, I know 95% of his free kicks went into orbit or bobbled into the cameramen, but when he did get them right, boy did he get them right.

Right wing: Stanley Matthews

The first of my ‘classic’ players is wing wizard Stan The Man. He revolutionised English football tactically and technically and played into his 50s. He was ahead of his time when he brought in the now sneered at 4-4-2 formation at Blackpool, where he single-handedly won the 1953 FA Cup (we’ll ignore Stan Mortensen’s hat-trick). He won the inaugural Ballon d’Or in 1956, ahead of other greats Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas and Lev Yashin, all of whom turned out at his testimonial nine years later.

Centre midfield: Socrates

Played the game with sublime natural talent and a laissez-faire attitude to match, while famously smoking 40 a day. He wasn’t quite in prime physical condition when he turned out for Garforth Town in 2004, but what a sport for doing so. Off the pitch he is known for being a qualified doctor, but he admitted in The Guardian he barely remembers a thing about medicine any more. Less well known are his seminars on leadership and human relationships, and his book, due for release in a couple of years. It’s a work of fiction on the Brazil 2014 World Cup. I’ll be ordering a copy.

Centre midfield: Claude Makelele

Already my midfield’s looking a little too forward thinking, so who better to stabilise the ship than the man who’s had a position named after him in England? At Real Madrid his presence allowed the team to accommodate Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Steve McManaman in midfield, and I’m hoping he’ll do the same for this imaginary side. Surprisingly, now in the twilight of his career, he’s doing more running at PSG than ever before.

Left wing: Bobby Charlton

Like Real, I’m stationing a great player in an unfamiliar position on the left wing (Zidane in their case), content in the knowledge that talented players can play anywhere. Plus, when cutting in off the flank, Charlton will either unleash one of his famous, rising shots into the roof of the net, or unleash Roberto Carlos on the overlap.

Forward: Pele

There’s not much that can be said about the great man that hasn’t been said already. Pele is largely credited with coining the phrase ‘the beautiful game’, but he has competition from fellow Brazil international Valdir Pereira and English commentary legend (and voice of Ninja Warrior) Stuart Hall, who both claim it as their own. Nike’s Portuguese twist, ‘Joga Bonito’, is thanks to players like Pele.

Forward: Gabriel Batistuta

A brilliant servant to the game, ‘Batigol’ was a loyal Fiorentina player for nine seasons before finally yielding to ambition and leaving for Roma. A complete striker, The Argentine scored a fantastic, venomous, swerving, dipping strike against my beloved Manchester United in 2000 which I believe knocked us out of Europe. One of those players I wish Ferguson had made more of an effort to sign.

Substitutes:

Dave Beasant

One of my earliest memories of football was watching Beasant save an unreal amount of penalties in a shootout. I think it was an FA Cup game and I think he was playing for Forest, but it doesn’t really matter. All I know is it made me want to be a ‘keeper for about three years, until I realised I was scared of the ball and I didn’t like diving.

Sol Campbell

In his prime he was the best centre back the Premier League’s witnessed, but he just misses out on a starting place because I’m not sure he’s all there mentally any more. Almost scored an incredible goal after a mazy run out of defence against a team in yellow at the World Cup (Colombia? Romania?), but even that’s eclipsed by the best sliding tackle ever, also on England duty.

Paul Scholes

The most impressive transition from goal-getting attacking midfielder to playmaker I’ve seen. He’s getting on now so I’ll use him sporadically, but he can still dominate a game from the centre circle with his passing and vision.

Garrincha

It was a toss-up between the Brazilian and Matthews for the right wing, so I had to go for the latter simply because I’ve read his biography but haven’t got round to Garrincha’s yet. Any man who’s capable of this kind of rapid hip movement outside the bedroom is a star in my eyes.

George Best

I’ve only left Georgie boy on the bench because he turned up pissed as a newt this afternoon. I’m hoping he’ll sober up enough for a second half cameo playing just off the centre forward. The Northern Ireland dribbler is the reason my father followed United, and thus why I grew up supporting a club 200 miles from my doorstep. One of the most prodigious talents Britain’s ever seen, it’s just a pity we haven’t learned from his example in how we dealt with Paul Gascoigne, and how we’re currently dealing with Wayne Rooney.

Tags: Bobby Charlton, Claude Makalele, Dave Beasant, Gabriel Batistuta, Garrincha, George Best, Gregory Coupet, Jaap Stam, Lucio, Paul Scholes, Pele, Roberto Carlos, Socrates, Sol Campbell, Stanley Matthews, Wes Brown