1
Anyway
United 1992-94
Fergie's first title winning side its the one he still claims is his favourite. The side pretty much picked itself, Schmeichel, Parker, Pallister, Bruce, Irwin, Kanchelskis, Ince, Keane (93/94 only) Giggs Hughes and Cantona. It couldn't have coped with injuries in the way the modern squad can but in terms of 11 on the pitch it was a stunning side.
Schmeichel was the best GK the league has seen, The CB's were solid, Irwin is arguably the best Lb in league history. In midifield Keane and Ince were exceptional with or without the ball and there is enough pace out wide to outrun a jet. Throw in the genius of Cantona who brought it all together and its easy to see why Fergie holds them in such high regard.
The argument for, well back to back premier league's for a side who hadn't won the league for 26 years show they had the mental strength to go along with the ability especially after the heartbreak of the year before. Throwing in an FA cup to make 94 a double doesn't hurt either. Failure in Europe remains a negative but coming off the European ban as well as the foreigner rule meant the odds were stacked against. Perhaps technically they wouldn't ahve been able to match later sides but they are well worth their place.
Arsenal 97-98
A side very much in the makings of the previous United side winning the double in 1998. The back 4 was arguably the best ever if not in terms of ability then most certainly in terms of organisation. With Viera and Petit in Midfield they had a steel and a physicality later Arsenal sides would lack. There was none of this tippy tappy nonsense they were just incredibly fit and incredibly quick and clinical summed up by the excellent Overmars out wide. In Bergkamp they had there own Cantona to add that touch of class with the prodigal Anelka up front.
Again they wouldn't have had the squad for todays game and in the argument against there was no back to back titles yet they came incredibly close to doing so. Perhaps it was broken up too quickly as well which wasn't really Wenger's fault. With Overmars, Petit and Anelka being lured to Spain and the back 4 meeting its inevitable decline.
Man Utd 1999-2001
The only English side to complete 'the Treble' this was a side with quality packed through it. The midfield 4 is probably the best English football has seen Beckham, Scholes, Giggs and Keane just had a little of everything. The mental strength of the side was incredible with late winners all over the shop. Ferguson revolutionised what it took to win with a bigger squad than before with 4 top quality strikers.
There is question marks in defence, CB especially where Johnsen was a good partner for Stam but not quite of the quality others on the list had and his backup was poor. Later on we'd see the disaster of Silvestre as well. Japp Stam was a rock though. Another 2 back to back titles followed the treble season in an era where United were comfortably the best in the league with the 2001 points tally second only to Jose's Chelsea, lack of follow up success in Europe is a negative though Madrid and Munich were both exceptional sides to lose to.
Arsenal Circa 2001-2004
Wengers second exceptional side and the side that went unbeaten in 38 league games in 2003-2004. I personally preferred his first side but the quality and flair of this side is undeniable. Wenger picked up the colossal Campbell on a free from Spurs and matched him with an unknown Ivorian who turned out pretty good. On the left Cole, the exceptional Pires and the magnificent Henry the greatest player to grace the league tore teams to shreds. Again the lack of back to back titles remains a negative but they were only pipped by a brilliant United side who still had that midfield with the addition of RVN. The fact they restricted one of the best goalscorers of his generation to one league title says it all. Failure in Europe also counts against them
Cheslea circa 2004-2006
The only non United/Arsenal side on the list there may well be accusations they lacked the flair of the others. Whilst that may be fair they did play some scintillating stuff with Robben and Duff out wide. They are the record holders for most points achieved and I also believe they hold the record for least goals conceded with Terry and Carvhello proving a monstrous partnership. Unbeaten at home in God knows how long they made the bridge a fortress. Add in an FA cup and a League cup to back to back championships and you have a truly legendary side. Failure in Europe again remains a negative with Liverpool and Barca proving their undoing.
Man Utd Circa 2006/2009
3 league titles on the bounce overcoming a Chelsea side most believed would go on to dominate the league for a decade. A European cup, another final and 2 league cups as well this side just about won it all. The squad was exceptional, Scholes turned into one of the finest deep lying midfielders in the world. Rio and Vidic proved an exceptional pairing perhaps the best the league has seen. Evra was almost superhuman but the real brilliance of this side was the Rooney//Ronaldo pivot. Perfectly made for each other they dominated English football for 3 years with the latter possibly the best to grace the league.
Their aren't many detractions I can make, perhaps not as inspiring in the middle as other United sides but Scholes, Carrick, Hargreaves and Fletcher still had quality. A lack of an FA cup in an era where its importance diminished. The constancy in quality of football also decline after the first season where Rooney/Ronaldo and Saha caused mayhem. For me they remain the most formidable side to have played in this league and on that basis I'm calling it for them.
You don't need to pick this guys picks, just there as an option.
