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Premiership Team of the Year: an eight out of 11 sweep for United all stars

By Dave Smith 22-04-07

Edwin VAN DER SAR - Manchester United

Once again the giant Dutchman has been a tower of strength between the sticks for United, brilliantly organising a well-drilled defence that has conceded little more than 20 goals. United took a time to find a replacement for the great Peter Schmeichel, but Van Der Sar has become almost equally revered at Old Trafford.

Gary NEVILLE - Manchester United

Mr Consistency for United, as has been the norm over the years, and clearly relishing the responsibility of being captain of the club he has served with such distinction for so many years. His combination play with Cristiano Ronaldo down the right is proving as effective as that he enjoyed with David Beckham.

Patrice EVRA - Manchester United

Perhaps something of a surprise choice at left back, but a measure of the progress the French international has made this season, during which he has been largely favoured, until recently, to the more experienced Gabriel Heinze. United beat off strong competition to sign Evra from Monaco, and are now reaping the benefits.

Rio FERDINAND - Manchester United

Another immaculate season from the elegant centre back whose casual gait belies a fierce determination to be the best, and he continues to prove why United were right to pay £30m for his services. His pace and reading of the game make him a stand-out figure for club and country. Fingers crossed on the groin injury.

Nemanja VIDIC - Manchester United

It's a rarity, if not a unique achievement, for five players from one club to make up the whole back line of the Premiership team of the Year. But that's the way the pros have voted and Serbian Nemanja Vidic, an uncompromising but gifted defender, has formed an excellent central partnership with Rio Ferdinand.

Steven GERRARD - Liverpool

Whether he's playing out wide or up front, the Liverpool skipper continues to make his own indelible mark on games - certainly the big games when both club and country can always rely on him to step up to the plate. Players' Player of the Year last season, Steven was in the shake-up again this time round.

Ryan GIGGS - Manchester United

Ryan's own assessment of the current campaign is that it has been one of the best of his long and distinguished career, and it is a tribute to his longevity and professionalism that his fellow pros feel the same way. Hes clocked up over 700 appearances for United and Sir Bobby's record is well within reach.

Paul SCHOLES - Manchester United

United missed his influence in the centre of the park for much of last season, but he's been back to his creative best this time out and his form is a key to United's title tilt. Sir Alex is benefiting from his international retirement and there's still plenty more to come from 500-man Scholes.

Cristiano RONALDO - Manchester United

An absolute revelation this season, his skills on the ball, at pace, are positively frightening for defenders, many of whom have had no answer to his box of tricks. But more than that, his contribution to the team in terms of goals and assists are another big reason United are flying high.

Didier DROGBA - Chelsea

It took the Ivory Coast striker a while to settle in England, a time to adjust to the pace of the Premiership but, as it has transpired, his power and skill are perfectly suited to the best league in Europe. His 30 goals alone are testimony to the progress he has made, and his importance to Chelsea.

Dimitar BERBATOV - Spurs

Arrived last summer as a big-money buy with a big reputation and whilst he didn't exactly set the Premiership alight from day one, the Bulgarian has shown his true class in the second half of the campaign with a catalogue of wonderful goals, not to mention his sublime control and wonderful link-up play.
8 out of 11 isn't bad really :)

Very similar to my team of the season though I'd pick Cech over VDS, Eissen (who's been amazing this season) over Gerrard and Rooney (or maybe McCarthy) over Berbatov.

Now if United can only keep on going to the end of the season missing all of the premierships finest defence and two squad defenders...

Good, fair comments, I'm impressed ;) . I would have thought David James over Van der Sar as he has record for most clean sheets, but this only happened yesterday against Villa, but even so he has been impressive this season.

I think Carragher deserves a mention this season, as does David James, who has been outstanding - I'd say better than Van Der Sar.

Glad to see Berbatov in there. I don't think Rooney has been as good as Berbatov this season, and yes, McCarthy has scored a lot of goals, but I'd rather have Berbatov in my team for what he brings to the whole team. His link-up play is fantastic.

Good, fair comments, I'm impressed ;) . I would have thought David James over Van der Sar as he has record for most clean sheets, but this only happened yesterday against Villa, but even so he has been impressive this season.
Whilst James has been good this season his career tally of cleansheets is irrelevant and hardly a fair comparison to make with VDS who hasn't spent anywhere near as long in the premiership, just as it wouldn't be relevant to point out that James has also conceded more premiership goals than any other goalie.

I think Carragher deserves a mention this season, as does David James, who has been outstanding - I'd say better than Van Der Sar.
Carragher has been pretty good but is given lots of protection by Liverpools rather negative style of play in contrast Vidic and Ferdinand have a superb record playing in a very positive team with an attacking midfield of Scholes and Carrick neither of whom are renowed for their defensive qualities and in Neville and Evra two very attacking fullbacks.

Glad to see Berbatov in there. I don't think Rooney has been as good as Berbatov this season, and yes, McCarthy has scored a lot of goals, but I'd rather have Berbatov in my team for what he brings to the whole team. His link-up play is fantastic.
Rooney has also scored significantly more goals than Berbatov and contributes massively to the whole team.

Rooney has also scored significantly more goals than Berbatov and contributes massively to the whole team.

Yes, but Berbatov doesn't have 8 players in the PFA team of the season to work with does he? It's all relative.

I think Berbatov deserves a place, he's been blinding considering it's his first season in the Premiership. David James might have the record for the most clean sheets but he's only overtaken David Seaman because he's played more games, Seaman's record was a clean sheet every 2.5 games James's is every 3.5 games. I'd stick with VDS he's made a difference at United. Any other season and Essien would deserve a place but who would you drop? It'd have to be either Giggs or Scholes as Gerrard is Liverpool and Ronaldo is, well Ronaldo is Ronaldo and would walk into every team on the planet.