Man Utd's Predicted 'Best XI For 2020' Released In 2011 Is Horribly Wrong

An article predicting Manchester United's 'Best XI For 2020' in 2011 has been unearthed and it makes for interesting reading.

The article from Bleacher Report takes a stab at what United's current team would look like.

Summer 2011 had just seen David De Gea and Ashley Young arrive at the club, as well as a teenage Phil Jones .

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Check out the predicted team below.

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

Right-back: Rafael

Center-back: Phil Jones & Chris Smalling

Left-back: Fabio

Right midfield: Unnamed signing

Central midfield: Tom Cleverley & a new signing

Left midfield: Ashley Young or a new signing

Striker: Wayne Rooney (captain) & Danny Welbeck or a potential new signing

United's predicted team.

Only three of the players suggested are still at Old Trafford and only two of those are currently in the squad, with Chris Smalling on loan at Roma.

David De Gea has gone on to become one of the world's best goalkeepers and is United's best signing of the last decade.

The full-back pair of the Da Silva twins didn't work out despite early promise.

Fabio left for Cardiff in 2014 and Rafael joining Lyon the following year after a fallout with then-manager Louis van Gaal.

Smalling and Phil Jones were predicted to be United's centre-back partnership for years to come but it hasn't worked out.

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Both signed as youngsters but were heavily scrutinised following the departure of club legends Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Ashley Young saw himself move to full-back in his latter years at United and became club captain.

The 34-year-old departed Old Trafford last week and joined Inter Milan.

Tom Cleverley failed to improve on his early promise and now finds himself at Watford.

Up front sees Danny Welbeck tipped to still be leading the line alongside Wayne Rooney.

Both have left the club, with Welbeck joining Cleverley at Vicarage Road.

In the case of Rooney, he stayed at United for six more years before returning to boyhood club Everton in 2017.

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United's squad is a far cry from the one listed but they are set to add to it in the coming days.

Sporting Libson midfielder Bruno Fernandes is set to join the club following a long transfer saga.

The Portugal international is set to be announced on Thursday and could debut against Wolves on Saturday.

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Wayne Rooney

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a freelancer journalist for SPORTbible and covers a variety of sports. He also has past experience of working at Manchester United and once locked eyes with Jose Mourinho. He lived to tell the tale.

@DanMarland1998x