The greatest EVER Premier League team – Steven Gerrard’s IN as Man United, Liverpool & Arsenal legends dominate

Earning a place in the PFA team of the year is a pretty impressive feat, but it often goes unnoticed – not today!

The Daily Mail has taken a look at the players that have received the most votes by their peers since the Premier League kicked off in 1992. There are some shock absentees from the XI…

There’s no place for legends Dennis Bergkamp, Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes or Gianfranco Zola,  with the latter unbelievably having NEVER received a place in a PFA team of the year.

There’s great news for Liverpool fans and the recently red-carded Steven Gerrard, as, in the history of England’s top-flight, no player has received more votes…

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GK – Edwin van der Saar

Fulham & Manchester United

Voted: 2007, 2009, 2011

The Dutchman proved that age is but a number, as despite being 34-years-old when he made the switch from Craven Cottage to Old Trafford, he was pivotal in the three consecutive league titles won under Sir Alex Ferguson, and not forgetting the 2008 Champions League final.

RB – Gary Neville

Manchester United

Voted: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007

The defender, now an outstanding Sky Sports pundit, was a crucial player, and leader, that helped make the Red Devils a powerful force in England and Europe – not to mention he was a huge part of the treble-winning team of the 1998-99 season.

RCB – Rio Ferdinand

West Ham, Leeds United, Manchester United, QPR

Voted: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013

The former England skipper is likely to hang up his boots in the summer. However, Ferdinand remains one of the greatest English centre-backs the Premier League has seen, with an outstanding ability to read the game against the toughest of opponents.

LCB – Nemanja Vidic

A fearless defender, who put his body on the line every time he stepped on the pitch – after a tough first six months at Manchester United, he became a firm favourite among the Old Trafford faithful.

LB – Ashley Cole

Arsenal & Chelsea

Voted: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2011

Often referred to as the greatest left-back in the world; there were few who could rival the former Blues full-back in the position, with his performances against Cristiano Ronaldo in his Man United days among the most outstanding of his career.

RM – Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United

Voted: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

It seems a lifetime ago that the Portuguese lit up Old Trafford, and even Manchester United’s biggest rivals would welcome the return of the World Player of the Year to the Premier League.

RCM – Steven Gerrard

Liverpool

2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014

Perhaps a shock inclusion given the competition, particularly from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.

Yet the former England international has been voted more times than any other player – speaking volumes for the respect the Liverpool legend has earned throughout his career.

LCM – Patrick Vieira

Arsenal & Manchester City

Voted: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

Arsene Wenger’s first ever signing as Arsenal manager – and a powerhouse that the Frenchman has never been able to replace since his departure.

Captained the Invincibles side of 2003-04.

LM – Ryan Giggs

Manchester United

Voted: 1993, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2009

The Welsh wizard, who only hung up his boots last summer, at the age of 4o, has 632 appearances and 13 Premier League titles – the highest ever – making him the most successful, and arguably greatest, player in Premier League history.

RF – Thierry Henry

Arsenal

Voted: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

An incredible talent – and one of the most feared strikers in Europe.

Remains Arsenal’s all time top-scorer with a stunning 228 goals in 377 appearances under Arsene Wenger.

LF – Alan Shearer

Blackburn Rovers & Newcastle United

Voted: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2003

With 260 goals, Shearer remains the Premier League’s highest ever scorer by a distance – and it’ll take some doing to exceed the Match of the Day pundit’s record.