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BBC Sport's Combined XI 'Game' Shows Manchester United's Fall From Grace

BBC Sport's Combined XI 'Game' Shows Manchester United's Fall From Grace

Not many people would have any Manchester United players in their combined XI with Liverpool's team and it shows.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Manchester United are so bad right now that BBC Sport haven't even considered a combined XI with Liverpool, instead combining the current Reds with the United team of 2013.

Everyone loves a combined XI ahead of a big game and usually United vs Liverpool would be one of those times fans argued how a combined team would look, but not this time.

Earlier this week Danny Mills appeared on Sky Sports News and picked no players from the Manchester team in his combined side, and no one could blame him.

Now BBC Sport have posted their 'game' where you can pick a team of your own but they've used Liverpool's current team and United's last Premier League winners from 2013 as the two sides to combine.

How's that for a combined XI? Image: BBC Sport
How's that for a combined XI? Image: BBC Sport

The 2012/13 season was of course Sir Alex Ferguson's last in charge at Old Trafford and was the 13th of his league title wins.

Comparing that side to Liverpool's current crop is itself a little weird as many of that United side were already past their best and many described them as one of the worst sides to win the title.

In defence even Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic weren't at their peak, Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes in midfield weren't as good as they had been and 2013 Wayne Rooney wouldn't be in the conversation to be better than Mo Salah.

Six years ago Liverpool actually finished outside the top four in Brendan Rodgers' first season in charge at Anfield, with a team that certainly wouldn't match up to Klopp's team today.

Jordan Henderson is the only player that has survived from a team that included the likes of Lucas, Glen Johnsen, Jose Enrique, Daniel Agger, Stuart Downing and Joe Allen on a regular basis.

Probably only Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez would have a chance of getting in a combined 2012/13 and 2019/20 Liverpool XI, with the latter highly questionable.

Would Gerrard and Suarez get in today's Liverpool team. Image: PA Images
Would Gerrard and Suarez get in today's Liverpool team. Image: PA Images

In the current day Solskjaer's side will be hosting a team already 15 points above them in the league after just eight games, when they meet on Sunday.

The loss Newcastle United last time out left them just two points above the relegation zone and is their worst start to a season in 30 years.

In a combined XI of the two current sides you'd only be able to make an argument for Harry Maguire ahead of Joel Matip, though the Cameroon international is playing well, and Paul Pogba playing his best, though the Frenchman is injured and has been short of his best for sometime.

What will the score be on Sunday?

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Harry Maguire, Liverpool, Paul Pogba, Football News, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, Sadio Mane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Mo Salah