Wayne Rooney Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd

Ronaldo, Rooney & Beckham make Scholes' star-studded Man Utd XI

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and David Beckham are among the star names to have made Paul Scholes’s dream XI of Manchester United team-mates.

The former England international had the honour of playing alongside some iconic figures during an illustrious one-club career at Old Trafford.

A member of United’s famed ‘Class of ‘92’ was able to secure legendary status himself, with his goal-scoring ability from midfield marking him out as a class act for club and country.

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Scholes has, however, overlooked his own ability when piecing together a side made up of the finest talent of his day.

In goal, it comes as no surprise to see Peter Schmeichel get the nod, even when taking the efforts of Edwin van der Sar into account.

Decisions across the back four proved a little tougher, although Gary Neville had little competition at right-back.

Denis Irwin was selected ahead of Patrice Evra at left-back, while Rio Ferdinand and Jaap Stam edged out Nemanja Vidic in the centre-half berths.

Roy Keane is asked by Scholes to provide steel in the heart of the side and Ryan Giggs trickery and a goal threat on the left of a midfield three.

David Beckham Manchester United

On the right, ex-England captain Beckham offers an all-round threat, with Scholes telling MUTV: “He brought so much to the team. A special player. A sensational free-kick taker.”

Rooney is forced to operate from the right up front, with another former Three Lions skipper considered to be a “sensational footballer”.

“He’s such an angry man but when he’s playing well, that anger comes out,” Scholes said.

“Incredible record. He was much more than a goalscorer.”

The same can be said for Ronaldo, who joins Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in attack.

Scholes, who was already a seasoned campaigner by the time Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford in 2003, said of a man who has gone on to claim five Ballon d’Or awards: “A special, special talent. Confidence was never a problem and the ability was never a problem either. What he and [Lionel] Messi have done is just different, I don’t think you’ll see it again.”

Paul Scholes Manchester United team-mates XI

Scholes walked away from United alongside Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, with that year delivering the last of the club’s 13 Premier League titles.

Jose Mourinho is the man currently charged with trying to bring the good times back to Old Trafford, but serious doubts have been raised as to the Red Devils’ claims to another top-flight in 2018-19.

Scholes said of that challenge: "When you look at Manchester City, possibly Liverpool, I don't think they [United] have the quality of those two teams at the minute.

"I just don't see United getting closer to City. City are a really good side, great manager, some great players, a way of playing that they all know about and Manchester United seem to be not too sure what's going on.

"You don't really know the team, you don't really know the players, you don't know how they're going to perform from one week to the next. So I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see them challenging for the league this year."

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