DREAM TEAM

Danny Higginbotham picks the best Xl he has played with or against

GOALKEEPERI

Peter Schmeichel – Retired He was the best at one-on-ones. I played against him when he was at Manchester City in the last game at Maine Road. I remember how world class he was. What he did at Manchester United was incredible. To be the No.1 for so long at that club just shows how good he was.

RIGHT BACKI

Gary Neville – Retired He trained how he played – he was so competitive and always wanted to win. Whether it was right or left foot his delivery was exceptional. It was fantastic to play with him, he made it look easy. He was also quite possibly the fiercest competitor.

LEFT BACKI

Dennis Irwin – Retired As a right footer playing at left back it shows how good he was with the ball, I never saw him beaten, and he was just top class. The standards he set were incredible – he played at the top level for so long.

CENTRE BACKI

Michael Svensson – Halmstads BK He was so fiercely competitive – he came up against the best players and looked very good. If he had not had so many injuries he would have gone on to play at a very high level. He wouldn’t hold back in training, it wasn’t malicious he was just so competitive.

CENTRE BACKI

Curtis Davis – Hull City He was quick and strong and also had a very good understanding of the game. I was at Luton and he was just coming through but you could tell he was top class. I remember Harry Redknapp saying watch out for him he is going to be very, very good.

RIGHT MIDFIELDI

Liam Lawrence – PAOK He was with us when we got promoted to the Premier League with Stoke. In that season he was massive for us, and when we got promoted he was brilliant. His delivery was up there with the best, and he worked incredibly hard for the team.

LEFT MIDFIELDI

Ryan Giggs – Manchester United He is just unbelievable. There will never be anyone who will play at the top for as long as he has – 24 years there, that’s just ridiculous.

CENTRALI MIDFIELDI

Roy Keane – Retired Keane is the ultimate midfielder. I don’t think Manchester United have ever replaced him. His drive and determination were scary. He set, and wanted, such high standards. I remember the game in the Champions League against Juventus, he was yellow carded but was so determined he just dragged United into the final.

CENTRALI MIDFIELDI

Patrick Vieira – Retired He was so athletic and his stride was scary. He was so good on the ball as well for a physical and powerful midfielder. He was just immense, and had absolutely everything.

STRIKERI

Raul – Al Sadd I played against him in a friendly and I have never seen anything like it – his movement was out of this world. I can honestly say I didn’t get a touch on the ball. I learned a lot from the experience. He was sensational.

STRIKERI

Thierry Henry – New York Red Bulls I remember a goal he scored for Arsenal against Tottenham. He picked the ball up on the halfway line and ran past everyone, it was like schoolyard football. If you were left one on one with him then you were dead. The best ever? He is very close.