Manchester United: Team of the decade 2010-2019

Manchester United’s Defence:

Right Back: Antonio Valencia

The right back role for Manchester United in the decade which has passed belonged to one many for almost the entire era. Antonio Valencia signed for Manchester United from Wigan in 2009 and whilst he played as a winger for the Latics, Sir Alex Ferguson quickly moulded him into a defender.

Valencia was a reliable player at United, with pace to burn he was always dangerous going forward but he also had the maturity and the fighting spirit to spot attackers in their tracks.

After a respectable ten years with the club he moved back to his home country Ecuador but Antonio Valencia will always be remembered fondly at Old Trafford.

Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand

The English centre-back was a veteran by the time the 2010s came rolling around. Rio Ferdinand was a crucial member of the Manchester United team during the 2000s, and he still makes this squad of the 2010s decade for his good contributions and solid defending.

Rio Ferdinand was a generational player. He was composed, quick, strong, athletic and a true all round footballer. Attackers found it impossible to beat him and he was a stalwart in the United back line.

For those who don’t remember him in his prime Rio Ferdinand was at least as good as Virgil Van Dijk.

Centre Back: Nemanja Vidic

The Serbian has quite a cult hero status at Old Trafford and Manchester United. He was a true Eastern European ‘hard man’ and he accompanied and complemented Ferdinand’s composing and calm figure well as a partner.

Vidic was the opposite to Ferdinand. The Serbian was renowned for bullying attackers, and his bullet headers and strong intense tackles which often left something on the opposing players, little niggles and knocks.

Nemanja Vidic would not let his opponents rest he would hassle them all game long and would prevent them from touching the ball at all.

All together Nemanja Vidic played over 300 times for Manchester United and he will forever be regarded as a club legend.

Left Back: Patrice Evra

It is quite telling of Patrice Evra’s quality that Manchester United are still trying to replace the Frenchman even after five years since departing Old Trafford.

Patrice Evra was number one choice at left-back for almost a decade at Manchester United. His calm composed presence on the ball and his ability to make runs forward made him an astute options.

Of course Evra was also a good defender who kept many of the world’s superstars in his pocket during individual clashes.

During the 2012/13 season Evra had his best spell with the club when he scored four goals in the Premier League and helped Manchester United to their last league title under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Eventually age caught up with Evra but he will forever be remembered fondly at Manchester United.