The irrepressible Dane was arguably the best goalkeeper in Premier League history and perhaps beyond. An imposing figure, Schmeichel was worth 15 points per season to United. Such was his importance it took United until the signing of Edwin van der Sar in 2005 to find his replacement. Five Premier League titles culminated in the treble success of 1999 before leaving Old Trafford for Sporting Lisbon.

Right-back: Gary Neville

Neville became first-choice right-back in 1994 and lives and breathes the club. He was handed the captain's armband following Roy Keane's departure. Another treble winner, injuries have curtailed his progress over the last couple of seasons but could always be relied upon for club and country. His time in the first team may be coming to a close, but Neville has been noticeable in taking pre-match warm-ups with the first team in recent weeks and it would be no surprise if he ended up on United's coaching staff.

Left-back: Denis Irwin

Irwin proved to be a fine piece of business by Sir Alex Ferguson when he arrived from Oldham for £625,000 in 1990. Seven Premier League titles would follow for the Republic of Ireland international who was as convincing going forward as he was fierce at the back. Free-kicks were another speciality for Irwin, who would go on to make over 350 appearances for the club. Was equally adept on the right side of the defence as he was on the left.

Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand has had his critics during his time at Old Trafford but has developed into a class act for both club and country. He is strong in the air, composed on the floor and has formed a fantastic partnership with Serbian colleague Nemanja Vidic. His performances over the last three seasons - as United reclaimed their place at the top of the Premier League - give him the edge over stalwarts Gary Pallister and Steve Bruce.

Centre-back: Jaap Stam

The big Dutchman anchored the club to the treble in his first season and followed it up with two more titles during his three-season stay in Manchester. His acrimonious departure saw Laurent Blanc arrive as a replacement and United's back line looked a shadow of its former self as Arsenal went on to do the double in 2001-02. Stam was, in short, a colossus at the back and while it can be argued the Premier League wasn't at its most competitive during his time, he also edges Fergie's old guard of Pallister and Bruce.

Right midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo

Plenty has been written about United's latest legendary number seven and his 42-goal haul on the way to last season's Premier League and Champions League honours also helped earn him the World Footballer of the Year award. Such was the magnitude of that campaign that 25 goals this term has been seen in many quarters as disappointing. Ronaldo justifiably takes his place ahead of David Beckham, strong in the air, lightning on the break and in with every chance of becoming one of football's all-time greats.

Left midfield: Ryan Giggs

Giggs continues to rewrite the history books and shows no signs of slowing down, being named the PFA Player of the Year this season. He made his 800th appearance in the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal and has looked rejuvenated in a central midfield role. With 11 Premier League titles to his name, he has also scored in every season of the competition. The sight of Giggs flying down the wing once drew comparisons with the great George Best, but Giggs is a fully-fledged legend in his own right.

Central midfield: Roy Keane

Few thought there would ever be a replacement for Bryan Robson when 'Captain Marvel' finally walked out of Old Trafford with his own status as a legend intact. Ferguson found one in Keane, a box-to-box marauder with fire in his belly - a leader of men on the pitch. Paul Ince also excelled but Keane stood above with his sheer will-to-win and no-nonsense approach. His old mentor Robson, however, would have had something to say about it had he been born 10 years later.

Central midfield: Paul Scholes

When the likes of Zinedine Zidane cite you as one of the best players he ever played against, you're doing something right. Scholes is as far removed off the pitch from the modern-day image of a flash footballer as you can get but is still capable of fireworks on it. Free-scoring in his day, his range of passing and ability to keep things simple yet devastatingly effective prove the Frenchman's point. Along with Giggs, not just a special footballer, but a role model for any young footballer in an age where excess seems to be valued over success.

Centre-forward: Eric Cantona

Le Dieu is still arguably the greatest player to grace the Premier League - at least until Ronaldo puts in a few more seasons. Arsenal fans may point to Thierry Henry's contribution but Cantona not only transformed United on the pitch, he inspired the golden generation of Beckham, Scholes and Giggs into fulfilling their potential too. A legend and an icon, blessed with sublime touch, vision and the deadly finish of a predator. His almost single-handed march towards the 1995-96 title following his infamous ban and FA Cup final winner against Liverpool summed Cantona up to a tee.

Centre-forward: Wayne Rooney

Likely to be a controversial choice due to the number of goals scored by the prolific Ruud van Nistelrooy, but with no David Beckham in the side to feed the Dutchman, Rooney gets the nod. He is a manager's dream, always willing to sacrifice his natural instincts for the good of the team and deadly with the ball at his feet. The success of the current United side owes a lot to the graft, craft and guile of the former Evertonian. He would be perfect either playing off Cantona in his natural role up top or tucking out wide to allow Ronaldo to run riot through the middle.