Manchester United stars dominate Premier League managers’ team of the decade

Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United (Getty Images)

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Manchester United stars past and present make up the bulk of the Barclays Premier League team of the decade as voted by top flight managers.

Six out of the starting XI are past or present Red Devils stars while a further four make the bench.

Managers were asked to vote for their best team of as part of a survey conducted by Barclays, who recently completed a decade as the main sponsor of England’s elite competition, with 14 Manchester United and Chelsea players making the 16-man squad.

Soon to retire Man United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar received 53 per cent of the vote ahead of Chelsea’s Petr Cech, who picked up 33%.

The full-back positions are taken by Chelsea’s Ashley Cole with 73% and Gary Neville with 60%.

Paired at centre-back are Chelsea captain John Terry, who gained 40% of votes, and his Old Trafford counterpart Nemanja Vidic, who polled 27%.

Ryan Giggs gained an overwhelming 87% to take the left-wing position and former team-mate and current Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo gained 67% to take his place on the opposite wing.

Another United veteran, Paul Scholes, received 23% to take his place in central midfield alongside Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard (33%).

Up front, former England and Newcastle star Alan Shearer is joined by Chelsea’s Didier Drogba after both received 23%of the vote.

The bench comprises Cech, former Old Trafford favourite David Beckham, and current Manchester United title winners Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.

Full team:

Edwin van der Sar (Fulham and Manchester United); Gary Neville (Manchester United), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Arsenal and Chelsea); Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United); Alan Shearer (Newcastle United), Didier Drogba (Chelsea).

Substitutes: Petr Cech (Chelsea), David Beckham (Manchester United), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (West Ham, Leeds and Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Everton and Manchester United).