The 2000s were one of Manchester United‘s most dominant periods in English football. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils would win the league and Champions League double in 2007/08 and the league and EFL Cup double in 2008/09. In fact, they would win six Premier League titles in the 2000s under Ferguson.
The bedrock of that success was their formidable backline, which provided a firm foundation for their flair players to shine. They’ve also proven a huge inspiration to the next generation of academy prospects like Di’Shon Bernard, who has spent loan spells withHull City and Portsmouth of late. Below, we celebrate five of the best defenders to don a United jersey under Ferguson in the 2000s.
Towering Dutch centre half Jaap Stam must surely go down as one of United’s finest defenders of all time. Although he only played for the Red Devils over three years, his impact on the team was hugely impressive. He helped United to three successive Premier League titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Stam was also an integral part of United’s treble-winning squad of 1999.
Stam may have arrived with the reputation of being a no-nonsense centre half – which he demonstrated with regularity at Old Trafford – but he was also adept with the ball at his feet. His spell with Unitedended abruptly following the publication of his autobiography, featuring controversial comments about the club and Ferguson, but Stam’s legacy lives on.
As honours go, Ferdinand must be one of the most decorated players of the United squad in the 2000s. Following two impressive seasons under David O’Leary at Leeds United, Ferguson coughed up big money to bring him to Old Trafford in 2002. Ferdinand would go on to forge a watertight central defensive partnership with Nemanja Vidic, helping the team to four league titles, two League Cups and a Champions League success in the 2000s.
Ferdinand was an incredibly graceful defender in his pomp. He would glide across the turf and make it easy to bring the ball out from the back and link the midfield. His one question mark would be his inability to lead England to international honours.
Although he only played 12 times for the United first team, Gerard Piqué would go on to leave a lasting impression on United fans. Arriving fresh out of Barcelona’s youth setup, Piqué came on a free transfer. It took him three seasons and one loan spell with Real Zaragoza to establish himself as a United first teamer, but his nine appearances in 2007/08 underlined his elite potential, with an immense defensive stature and poise on the ball.
Off the field, Piqué led a similarly high-profile lifestyle. He would go on to have a relationship with Colombianpop star Shakira. He’s also had a hand in rejuvenating tennis’ Davis Cup competition, and has successfully tried his hand at professional poker tournaments. Piqué has been a regular at the Barcelona leg of the European Poker Tour (EPT). To date, Piqué has total live earnings of £542,549 and he even scooped second place at a High Roller Event in 2019, landing a payout worth £312,087.
Homegrown right back Neville was one of the stalwarts of Ferguson’s reign through the 1990s and 2000s. He made a staggering 602 appearances for the Red Devils, which is some achievement given the demands placed on the United team. He remains the most-capped right back for the England national team too, demonstrating his consistency and durability through the years.
Neville was anything but flashy, but he was a dependable right back that would keep most top-flight wingers at bay. Neville also assumed the role asUnited skipper following the unceremonious departure of Roy Keane in 2005. Since hanging up his boots, Neville had a failed management stint with Spanish side Valencia, before becoming a notorious football pundit. He has been outspoken in his criticism of Manchester United’s decline in the last decade, although the Red Devils look set to qualify for the 2023/24 Champions League once again. It’s said that the Champions League ranks highest in thefootball betting markets in terms of prestige. However, it’s been 15 long years since United last lifted the biggest prize in European club football.
Serbian stalwart Vidic was a key figure at the heart of United’s defence in the mid-2000s, helping United to three successive titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Vidic’s attributes provided the perfect complement to Rio Ferdinand. Vidic was rugged, uncompromising and an exceptional man marker, allowing Ferdinand the freedom to bring the ball out from the back and build attacks.
Vidic was a long-serving defender for Ferguson and United. As one of his most trusted lieutenants, the Serbian was also handed the captaincy of the first team in 2010 following Gary Neville’s long-term injuries. Vidic recently discussed his time in the Premier League and said that Luis Suárez and Sergio Aguero were his toughest opponents, in an era when former teammate Wayne Rooney, now head coach ofDC United, was also a dominant force.
Several players nearly made the cut, including Irish and French left backs, Denis Irwin and Patrice Evra. Irwin was part of United’s star-studded 1994 title-winning team, which includedPaul Ince and Roy Keane. However, the above quintet caught the eye most with their individual talents as well as their respective team roles.
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