Zelem selects her dream England XI
Fresh from her first start for the Lionesses earlier this week, Katie Zelem has been set a task as equally as difficult.
The United Women captain was interviewed by The FA recently and was asked to name her favourite starting XI, combining both the men's and women's teams.
Having played with some of the country's best already, at both club and international level, it was no surprise that some of United's current and former players made the cut.
Zelem will be bidding to continue with the Lionesses' impressive form at the current World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, having emerged as Group D winners with three victories from three.
Scroll down a little further to find out which United stars Katie opted for...
Having played with some of the country's best already, at both club and international level, it was no surprise that some of United's current and former players made the cut.
Zelem will be bidding to continue with the Lionesses' impressive form at the current World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, having emerged as Group D winners with three victories from three.
Scroll down a little further to find out which United stars Katie opted for...
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GOALKEEPER: Mary Earps
“I'm going to have to go for Mary. She has been unbelievable for Man United in recent seasons and obviously winning the Euros was an incredible achievement. She had a tough few years with the national team and deserves every bit of praise she is now getting. Mary is actually one of my closest friends in football and we spend time together outside of football too, and we like our little brunch dates and lunch dates, so that is another reason to include her!”
“I'm going to have to go for Mary. She has been unbelievable for Man United in recent seasons and obviously winning the Euros was an incredible achievement. She had a tough few years with the national team and deserves every bit of praise she is now getting. Mary is actually one of my closest friends in football and we spend time together outside of football too, and we like our little brunch dates and lunch dates, so that is another reason to include her!”
CENTRE BACK: Rio Ferdinand
“I just like everything Rio Ferdinand brings as a player, like his on-the-ball quality. He is very much my era of Man United, with him and [Nemanja] Vidic, one's battling, one's playing. He also owns a lovely Italian [restaurant] in Manchester which gets him some brownie points as well!”
LEFT BACK: Alex Greenwood
“I really like having left-footed players on the pitch and especially at centre-back. I wanted to have her at centre-back but will put her at left-back so I can fit some other people into the side. When I play with Alex, I really appreciate how calm she is on the ball and how much she finds the midfield. She never looks under pressure ever. I played with her at Manchester United too and when she made that move to Lyon, when she came back, that first season at Manchester City was one of the best of her career.”
“I just like everything Rio Ferdinand brings as a player, like his on-the-ball quality. He is very much my era of Man United, with him and [Nemanja] Vidic, one's battling, one's playing. He also owns a lovely Italian [restaurant] in Manchester which gets him some brownie points as well!”
LEFT BACK: Alex Greenwood
“I really like having left-footed players on the pitch and especially at centre-back. I wanted to have her at centre-back but will put her at left-back so I can fit some other people into the side. When I play with Alex, I really appreciate how calm she is on the ball and how much she finds the midfield. She never looks under pressure ever. I played with her at Manchester United too and when she made that move to Lyon, when she came back, that first season at Manchester City was one of the best of her career.”
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STRIKER: Wayne Rooney
“Growing up he was my all-time favourite player. I was going to play him as a no.10 but I need to fit Kelly Smith in, so sorry Harry Kane, you are going to have to miss out this time. He was the first men's player I ever loved. I remember in English class we had to write a little assignment on somebody that we looked up to and admired and everyone else just had normal people basically and mine was Wayne Rooney. I was Googling all the goals he scored and all sorts.”
“Growing up he was my all-time favourite player. I was going to play him as a no.10 but I need to fit Kelly Smith in, so sorry Harry Kane, you are going to have to miss out this time. He was the first men's player I ever loved. I remember in English class we had to write a little assignment on somebody that we looked up to and admired and everyone else just had normal people basically and mine was Wayne Rooney. I was Googling all the goals he scored and all sorts.”
KATIE'S FULL ENGLAND XI
Goalkeeper: Mary Earps.
Defenders: Reece James, Rio Ferdinand, Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood.
Midfielders: Keira Walsh, Jude Bellingham, Fara Williams.
Strikers: Kelly Smith, Phil Foden, Wayne Rooney.
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