Argentina v France: A combined United XI
It’s official: Manchester United is guaranteed a World Cup winner.
Ahead of Sunday's 15:00 GMT kick-off in Qatar, we’ve created a combined XI of current and former Reds who are of either nationality.
Our two finalists were shoo-ins, but there are plenty of other big names from France and Argentina who have played for United in the past or are still at the club today. Let’s take a look at who made the cut…
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GOALKEEPER: SERGIO ROMERO
Romero gets the nod to start between the sticks. Between him and French World Cup winner Fabien Barthez it was a tough call, since the instinctive and reactionary saves of the latter made him a worthy choice, but the Argentinian starts.
The 35-year-old was often deployed for cup competitions and always impressed with resilient showings at the back, especially in knockout rounds. In 61 appearances for us, he managed to keep 39 clean sheets.
He helped us to four trophies during his time at the club, including the Europa League in 2017, making him a solid choice for the designated shot-stopper.
RIGHT-BACK: GABRIEL HEINZE
We often hear of the passion many South Americans possess, and few embodied that more than Gabriel Heinze.
He was a ruthless defender who left it all on the punch, no matter the cost. His desire to win everything and put his body on the line is reminiscent of what we see in current United centre-back and fellow countryman Martinez - a trait that easily endears players to our fanbase.
CENTRE-BACK: RAPHAEL VARANE
It doesn’t make sense for Varane not to be in the all-timer shouts, with the French centre-back on the brink of back-to-back World Cup titles.
To get to that point it is mightily impressive – perhaps even more so when you consider he came into this year’s tournament on the back of an injury, only returning in the second group-stage fixture.
In addition, Varane is cool, calm, and collected at the back – a needed presence for any side.
CENTRE-BACK: LAURENT BLANC
We may not have signed Blanc during his prime, but his small stint at the club showed why Sir Alex Ferguson was keen to bring him on board.
Still with a relatively young crop of players at United upon his arrival, the Les Bleus defender was able to pass on his knowledge and experience and show. his qualities on the pitch too,
Blanc helped United to the league title in 2003, where he ultimately called time on his career.
LEFT-BACK: PATRICE EVRA
Evra is one of those players who not only makes their presence felt on the pitch, but off it too – a vital attribute.
When we think of ‘modern full-backs,’ those that can attack as well as they can defend come to mind, and the Frenchman's time at the club showed he could do just that. As well as being a sturdy figure along the United backline, he played a crucial role in the Reds' build-up play down that left-hand side.
He was the kind of player who thrived on those high-pressure moments, and is a shoo-in for the left-back spot.
MIDFIELD: LISANDRO MARTINEZ
The idea for Martinez is to play somewhat of a hybrid role in this formation – a defensive midfielder in possession and a centre-back out of possession, forming a five-man backline.
Though predominantly a centre-back for the Reds, the Argentinian has played in that defensive midfield role on occasion for Erik ten Hag while they worked at Ajax together, and his passing ability suits itself well to operating in this position.
Martinez's ability to progress the ball forward from defensive areas is among the best in Premier League, while his defensive prowess makes me believe he’s the right man for the job in this role.
And that's before you mention his infectious passion and commitment.
MIDFIELD: PAUL POGBA
After he initially left the club in 2011, United welcomed back French midfielder Pogba in 2016.
When things are clicking on the pitch for the 29-year-old, he can be unplayable. His vision and quality on the ball allow him to execute the most phenomenal of passes both from and to anywhere on the pitch.
Usually more expressive playing a bit higher up the pitch, Pogba can score and assist to help the team out, as we saw in that emphatic Manchester derby in 2018 that finished 3-2 to the Reds.
Pogba has it in him to take the game by the scruff of its neck and makes things happen, and that is why he is in my team.
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Veron came into the side at a time when we had unbelievable quality in the middle of the park, with the likes of Paul Scholes and David Beckham flourishing.
It made life in Manchester a bit more difficult for the Argentinian, who only spent two seasons at the club. But he was a special midfielder, and that often showed more with international football or in the Champions League.
Much like Pogba, Veron could find a magical pass out of nowhere and would often execute defense-splitting through balls that would create chances from nothing.
FORWARD: ERIC CANTONA
When it came to a combined XI, Cantona was one of the first names on the team sheet. Although he usually played in a pair up front, I've included him in a front three where he could operate as a play-making partner for two other forwards. Let's face it, Eric had the talent to play in any of the attacking roles on the pitch.
There are few that can touch the Frenchman when it comes to sheer ability. And it was not only his technical quality that was breathtaking, but the aura he brought to every game he played in was incomparable.
Cantona was a transformational figure for United, and will always be regarded as one of the greatest to ever play for us.
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FORWARD: LOUIS SAHA
Saha may not be one of the first players you think of, looking back to the plethora of attacking options United used to have, but he was one of the most complete.
In 124 appearances across all competitions, he registered 59 goal contributions – 42 goals, 17 assists. As well as scoring, the French striker was a player who was undoubtedly key in build-up play.
Completing an all-French connection up top is current United striker Martial.
In a way that is like his fellow frontmen, Martial is a creator on the ball just as much as he is a goalscorer. His fluidity up top with fellow forwards, and ability to operate down the left too, make him a real asset to have in the team.
He may have had his injury struggles, but 135 goals in 276 games speaks for itself. And at 27 years of age, you get the feeling that Martial's best years are still ahead of him.