Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher got stuck into the debate over the combined XI of Manchester United’s treble-winning side in 1999 and Liverpool’s current side.
There has been plenty of chat over which side had the best players, was it Sir Alex Ferguson’s team that won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup or Jurgen Klopp’s side that currently sits 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League?
Putting a combined XI together of the two sides is all about opinion, and is very difficult comparing across different eras and with the sides playing different formations, but Keane and Carragher had a good crack at it on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
Keane was in typically forthright and entertaining mood from the off, picking Peter Schmeichel as his goalkeeper, but reminding viewers that they are definitely not friends.
‘I wouldn’t say I like Peter that much, but as a character and a goalkeeper, you want him in goal for you,’ said the Irishman.
When Carragher declared that he did not want Ryan Giggs in the combined XI, Keane could scarcely get his head round it, replying: ‘Ah Jamie, really? Really? I’m stunned.’
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/GBUFgVoXzE
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 18, 2020
Carragher wanted to get Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah into the side, but Keane ended up getting his way, keeping Giggs and Andy Cole in.
The only two Liverpool players that made the final cut were Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back and Virgil van Dijk in the middle of defence.
However, Keane did admit that if the Reds go on to win the treble this year, as United did in 1999, then he would have a couple more Liverpool representatives in the side.
Keane and Carragher’s Combined XI
- GK – Peter Schmeichel
- RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold
- CB – Jaap Stam
- CB – Virgil Van Dijk
- LB – Denis Irwin
- RM – David Beckham
- CM – Roy Keane
- CM – Paul Scholes
- LM – Ryan Giggs
- FW – Dwight Yorke
- FW – Andy Cole
Keane did admit that he is a fan of Mane and Salah, but kept insisting that his loyalty is to his team-mates.
The Giggs vs Mane debate was a particular highlight as Carragher insisted the players were to be judged on United’s ’99 season against Liverpool’s current campaign.
The Welshman scored three Premier League goals in the 1998-99 season, compared to Mane’s 12 already this campaign, which Keane was a little bit stumped by.
Keane got his way, though, and Giggs was in the side, with Carragher eventually happy to accept defeat.
You can watch the full 17 minutes here.
“Really? Jamie I’m stunned” ð²@Carra23 picks his Man Utd 99′ x Liverpool 20′ combined XI but Roy Keane is not satisfied – even with a full Manchester United midfield ð´
More: https://t.co/aXn22Jz0sS pic.twitter.com/2mLDKExqhR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 18, 2020
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