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Fabien Barthez and Phil Neville included in 'all

Apr 02, 2024

A debate around Manchester United's all-time XI has been sparked online after one selection included former goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and academy graduate Phil Neville

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Manchester United fans were in shock after one supporter named Fabien Barthez and Phil Neville in their all-time XI.

Goalkeeper Barthez, who was on United's books from 2000 to 2004, and full-back Neville, who spent 11 years at the club after graduating from the academy, made a combined 520 appearances during their spells at Old Trafford.

However, neither set the world alight in Sir Alex Ferguson's side - especially compared to some of the world-class talent which did feature under the legendary Red Devils boss. So both being included in a best-ever United team raised plenty of eyebrows.

READ MORE: Man Utd didn't concede from penalty at home in 10 years - with only three against them

The selection from comedian Josh Jones for BBC's MOTDx was widely criticised on social media, with one person tweeting: "I never thought I’d see the day Philip Neville would be ahead of Patrice Evra or Denis Irwin. Less said about the goalkeeper situation the better."

Another questioned: "Barthez and Phil Neville has to be a joke right? I’d have De Gea ahead of that French madman let alone Edwin and Big Pete. As for LB I assume Denis Irwin and Patrice Evra played what golf?"

Who would make your all-time Man Utd XI? Let us know in the comments section.

"Left-back HAS to be Denis Irwin, and GK either Van der Sar or Schmeichel," argued a third, while a fourth wrote: "Barthez can never be ahead of Schmeichel, Van der Sar or De Gea."

A fifth commented: "I’ve never met anyone whose put Barthez ahead of Schmeichel/VDS and Phil Neville ahead of Irwin/Evra but each to their own."

And a sixth sarcastically quipped: "I mean, Barthez did win the World Cup? Speaking of which, where’s Kleberson in this list?"

The rest of Jones' team - which featured Phil's brother Gary, Rio Ferdinand and Steve Bruce in the heart of defence, a midfield four of David Beckham, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo, with Wayne Rooney and Eric Cantona up top - was widely accepted, however.

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