It has been 15 years since Manchester United last faced a Leicester City team that were leading the league.
Back in October 2000, Alex Ferguson’s side beat The Foxes 3-0 to leapfrog them to the summit of the league table.
On Wednesday of this week, Eamon Dunphy declared United were no longer a big football team. Looking at the comparative line-ups, it is hard to argue with the RTE pundit.
Bear in mind here that United did not start Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Andy Cole, Jaap Stam and Paul Scholes for that 3-0 win.
Barthez v De Gea
The French goalkeeper, and one-time squeeze of Linda Evangelista, won the World Cup in 1998. He was one of Ferguson’s better ideas when it came to replacing Peter Schmeichel and was, for the most part, solid. There were high-profile gaffes against in the Champions League and against Arsenal and West Ham.
De Gea had a ropey first few months in English football but recovered well. Now into his fifth season at United, De Gea has established himself as one of the world’s top three goalkeepers. Worth at least 15 points to is team each season. Advantage: United 2015
Irwin v Rojo
Denis Irwin impressed Alex Ferguson so much during plucky Oldham’s FA Cup adventures, in 1989/90, that he bought the block. Taker of many a wonderful free kick and one of the most reliable left-backs you could ever find.
Marcos Rojo appeared in the 2014 World Cup final and was signed from Sporting Lisbon as part of Louis van Gaal’s infamous 2014/15 back three. That did not go so well but he has had a solid start to this season. Advantage: United 2000
Brown v Young
‘We’ve got Wesley Brown, we’ve got Wesley Brown, we’ve got Wesley, we’ve got Wesley, we’ve got Wesley Brown!’
The chant was as memorable as the versatile Brown’s long stay at Old Trafford. A defender of great poise and promise but one who’s career was blighted by injury. When he was good, and fit, Ferguson trusted him immensely as right back.
Ashley Young, two years ago, would have been surprised as any to find himself as a right back. However, needs must at van Gaal’s United and Young has proved to be a loyal soldier. Better off steaming forward than mucking in at the back. Advantage: United 2000
Silvestre v Smalling
Mikael Silvestre always looked as if he was trying to divide 154 by 17. Played in just about every position across the backline and was even tossed into centre midfield during one of Fergie’s spells.
Chris Smalling looked a liability for most of his time under Ferguson and David Moyes but he has grown into a true leader in recent seasons. His distribution from defence has improved, he is dominant in the air, has a great turn of pace and is now a threat in the opposition box. Advantage: United 2015
Johnsen v Blind
Ronny Johnsen was at the centre of the United defence when they won the 1999 Champions League. Formed a solid partnership with Jaap Stam in that treble-winning year. That was his pinnacle, unfortunately. Injuries haunted him thereafter.
A midfielder who can play left back or centre defence. Ferguson would approve. One of the finest passers of a ball in the current United set-up but hamstrung somewhat by his position in the back four. Has been a steady stop-gap. Advantage: United 2000.
Butt v Schweinsteiger
If ever you wanted a battler in your side, Butt was the man for the job. Made an early name for himself as Roy Keane’s deputy in the crazy days of the three foreigners rule. Comfortable on the ball and a good passer but he truly enjoyed the dirty work.
Has won just about every accolade in German football. Topped that off with a 2014 World Cup win. Knee issues have seen him lose some of his zip and box-to-box ability. Has yet to completely win over pessimists in England. Advantage: United 2015
Keane v Schneiderlin
Roy Keane is one of United’s greatest ever players and drove the club towards unprecedented success. A midfield dynamo who would pop up with a crucial goal as much as a crunching tackle.
His move to the big time took some manoeuvring but he got there, from Southampton, eventually. Employed primarily as a defensive screen, the French midfielder is more of a play-breaker than a play-maker. Advantage: United 2000
Fortune v Mata
The South African Kevin Kilbane. Signed as a left winger who ended up as a left back. A loyal servant and a great man for sponsor’s events and autograph signings.
Mata is primarily deployed on the right wing but has featured in centre midfield. Not like-for-like with Fortune but an attacking midfielder nonetheless. Has been United’s most creative player since his January 2014 arrival. Advantage: United 2015
Solskjaer v Lingard
The Norwegian super sub shall be forever remembered as the player who won the Champions League for United in 1999. The fun was all sparked, earlier that season, when he broke Liverpool’s hearts in a tense FA Cup encounter. Scored five goals off the bench against Nottingham Forest.
Early days for the winger but he already had one former coach compare him to Andrés Iniesta. Van Gaal wanted to unleash him at the beginning of last season but injury intervened. Has now been involved for nine straight games. Advantage: United 2000
Sheringham v Rooney
Teddy Sheringham had a tough start to his United career. Fell into the shadow cast by Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke but began to revel in his support role. Made a number of key contributions in the treble-winning year, including the equaliser in the European Cup final triumph.
In this game for 14 seasons now and still regarded as one of the game’s top forwards. Started his United career with a hat-trick and is now the club’s top scorer. Ferguson trialled him as a centre midfielder but, when he is on form, he does his best work up top. Advantage: United 2015
Yorke v Martial
A very successful example of how a great team can turn a good player into a world-class player. Yorke shone brightly but briefly at Old Trafford. A sensation in his opening two seasons, he struck up a fine partnership with Cole. Faltered from 2000/01 and did not last much longer.
Signed for £36m this season, the French teenager started like a goalscoring freight train. Has only scored once in his last 12 outings but has shown enough signs of class to stave off media pressure. Advantage: United 2000
COMBINED XI
A 6-5 win for Ferguson. Closer than he would have liked until the late winner from Yorke.
If Ferguson could call on all of his senior stars, it would stack up extremely badly for the current crop.
BEST COMBINED XI
