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Manchester United And Chelsea Squad Pic From 2008 Champions League Final Shows How Things Have Changed

Manchester United And Chelsea Squad Pic From 2008 Champions League Final Shows How Things Have Changed

11 years ago the two sides were full of some of the best players on the planet and faced in the Champions League final.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Just over a decade ago Manchester United and Chelsea faced in the Champions League final and one fan has pointed out just how much the two teams have changed since then.

The two Premier League giants kicked off their season on Sunday and times have changed a lot since the 2008 Champions League final.

One fan posted the starting line-ups of both teams from that night in Russia compared to Sunday's clash at Old Trafford and there's a big difference in the quality.

At that point, just over 11 years ago, the two sides were chock full of some of the best players on the planet and United won the double that season with what was arguably the best team Sir Alex Ferguson constructed.

In defence Ashley Cole, Patrice Evra, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand all could make arguments they were the best player in the world in their position.

Whilst United have certainly improved their defence this summer none of the eight men at the back for either side could make a similar argument.

Fergie's midfield and attacking line up were a sight to behold in the 2007/08 season, missing out on the Treble after losing to Portsmouth in the FA Cup, and Chelsea's wasn't too bad either.

Again the sides' current incarnations can't live up to what once was.

United sold last season's top scorer Romelu Lukaku earlier this week to Inter and failed to replace the Belgian, after a swap deal for Paulo Dybala collapsed.

Chelsea have been unable to sign anyone this summer because of a transfer ban and Frank Lampard used the opportunity to give Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount their first league starts for the Blues.

Abraham has spent the last few seasons on loan at multiple clubs. Image: PA Images
Abraham has spent the last few seasons on loan at multiple clubs. Image: PA Images

Manchester United ran riot on Chelsea on Sunday in a thumping 4-0 win to open their Premier League season.

Marcus Rashford gave them the lead from the penalty spot during a close first-half in which Chelsea hit the woodwork twice.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men pulled away after half-time in devastating fashion on the counter-attack.

Anthony Martial doubled their lead after converting a low cross before Rashford added his second, taking in a delightful long ball from Paul Pogba before sliding it past Kepa.

Daniel James replaced Andreas Pereira in the 74th minute - and his goal rounded off a brilliant opening weekend for Manchester United.

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