Player-by-player comparison of United players a decade apart.
A superb comparison of Manchester United’s class of 2004 vs Louis van Gaal’s current crop of Old Trafford stars has been put together by the Daily Mail.
SEE ALSO:
Ronaldo Manchester United – £60m return agreed
De Jong Manchester United – ex-Man City star linked
Live Arsenal v Manchester United Streaming & Premier League Match Preview
The Red Devils are currently in a rebuilding process and undergoing something of a season of transition this term as they get used to a new manager and a whole host of new faces, with long-serving stars such as Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra all leaving the playing squad in quick succession this summer.
Giggs remains on the coaching staff at Old Trafford, but the departure of so many key players has led to a new-look United side taking the field this season, with van Gaal spending big on some of the world’s most established names.
Still, how do they measure up against the United side of ten years ago? Read on for a player-by-player battle in each position…
GK: Roy Carroll vs David de Gea
No contest surely, with the Spanish shot stopper one of the finest in Europe at the moment, while Carroll was just a stop-gap that season.
Vote: de Gea
Manchester United news
DR: Gary Neville vs Antonio Valencia
An easy choice again, with the former United defender winning the battle this time over Antonio Valencia, who has been shifted out of position to right-back.
Vote: Neville
A solid performer for United during his time at the club, Gabriel Heinze seems the best pick here, with the promising Luke Shaw not getting off to the best of starts since his move from Southampton this summer.
Vote: Heinze
One is perhaps the best English centre-back of the modern era, the other an untested youngster who looks badly out of his depth. Rio Ferdinand easily wins this battle for a place in defence.
Vote: Ferdinand
Not an inspiring battle in all honesty, but there’s a decent argument to say that current United star Chris Smalling might come out on top in this one, with Mikael Silvestre never truly United quality.
Vote: Smalling
Two decent enough players, who have both played their parts as cogs in successful machines for the Red Devils, with Carrick perhaps the slightly superior player overall.
Vote: Carrick
United are yet to replace the legendary Paul Scholes’ influence at the heart of their midfield, and expensive flop Marouane Fellaini is certainly some way off what the former England playmaker brought to the team.
Vote: Scholes
Although Ronaldo was not yet at his peak as he was just into his second season at Old Trafford, he edges the equally promising young winger Adnan Januzaj for a place on the right flank.
Vote: Ronaldo
As exciting a player as Angel Di Maria looks after his club-record move from Real Madrid this summer, the Argentine is still new to the club and cannot possibly match the amazing achievements of Ryan Giggs.
Vote: Giggs
Two superb Dutch strikers who have fired in many goals for Manchester United, it is the 2004 version that wins again here over the former Arsenal man.
Vote: Van Nistelrooy
The only surviving player from the 2004 side, Rooney makes it into both teams, though arguably the younger version would be most fans’ preferred choice!
