Manchester United are the Premier League’s most successful club since its commencement back in 1992.
Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson however the club have failed to scale similar heights and the silverware laden years seem miles away at the moment.
The current crop of players at the club are nowhere near the standard set by Ferguson during his 26-year spell, although some are blessed with serious potential.
Talk in the Transfer Tavern between the Manchester United fans is about old days with supporters reminiscing about the good times.
Our writer Lee Clarke took a look at FIVE former United players who would slot straight into the current Old Trafford starting eleven, if they were in their prime…….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE EX-MAN UTD PLAYERS!
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Steve Bruce
What United are really lacking at the moment is some leadership from the heart of the defence, something which Bruce offered in abundance during his Manchester United days.
In nine years plying his trade at Old Trafford, Bruce clocked up 309 appearances and 36 goals, displaying a kind of passion that the Red Devils desperately crave these days.
Bruce is arguably the greatest central defender to have never won an England cap and you get the feeling that Bruce would probably work well in tandem with a Chris Smalling-type of defender.
Eric Cantona
The controversial French striker was always in the headlines for all the wrong reasons but if we are being totally honest about it, Cantona is a Manchester United legend.
The Frenchman moved to the Red Devils from Leeds United back in 1992 and in five years with United he netted a prolific 64 goals in 143 appearances.
The charismatic striker was a wizard on penalties and was known for his ability to send goalkeepers the wrong way with relative ease.
Cantona played 45 times for France and went onto become a star in the world of beach soccer and on the silver screen, following his retirement.
David Beckham
There are few more people to have ever played in the Premier League that are as likeable as Beckham.
The poster-boy was a right midfielder with a difference and his ability to cross a football remains unrivalled even today.
The likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and even Wayne Rooney would thrive on the service provided by Beckham, at a time when goals are hard to come by for Louis van Gaal’s men.
Beckham remains an ambassador for English football and following his departure from United in 2003, he went onto play for Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
Paul Scholes
Zinedine Zidane and Andrea Pirlo are just two legendary footballers to come out and say that the former Manchester United central midfielder was one of their toughest opponents, which speaks volumes.
Scholes pretty much had the complete package as a central midfielder – with the exception of tackling, maybe.
His range of passing was a joy to behold, he had leadership qualities and was also keen to chip in with his fair share of goals too.
United would relish someone in the middle of the park like Scholes at present and in all seriousness, it surprises me that the Red Devils aren’t utilising the former player in some capacity at the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Doubts were raised over Ronaldo’s ability to play Premier League football after a fairly ordinary start to life at Manchester United.
Any doubts were soon cast to one side once the Portugal international got into full flow and he is now one of the world’s finest footballers.
In six years at Old Trafford he netted 84 times in 196 appearances before being sold to Real Madrid in 2009.
Reports have suggested since his departure, that he may return one day and how Manchester United could do with a player like Ronaldo, to bring back the glory days.
