Eight United players have been named among the top 100
footballers in the world in a list compiled by FourFourTwo
magazine.
Cristiano Ronaldo, United's outstanding player in the title-winning
2007/08 campaign, was pipped to first place by AC Milan's Brazilian
midfielder Kaka, who was the key figure in the Italian side's
Champions League success last term.
Portuguese star Ronaldo, who made a clean sweep of English
football's individual accolades last season, did edge out Barcelona
trio, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi in the list's top
five.
Wayne Rooney was the next highest-placed Red in eighth, while Paul
Scholes came in at 12, Rio Ferdinand 24th, Ryan Giggs 29th, Owen
Hargreaves 52nd, Nemanja Vidic 78th and Gary Neville in 85th
spot.
Ronaldo's prominent placing in the list is a stark reminder of the
qualities United have been missing on the field in recent
weeks.
The 22-year-old hasn't played since being shown a red card in the
Reds' 1-1 draw with Portsmouth last month. But, having served the
last of a three-match suspension against Sunderland, he will make a
welcome return in the Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison
Park next Saturday.
Cream of the Crop
1 Kaka - AC Milan
2 Cristiano Ronaldo - United
3 Ronaldinho - Barcelona
4 Thierry Henry - Barcelona
5 Lionel Messi - Barcelona
6 Steven Gerarrd - Liverpool
7 Samuel Eto'o - Barcelona
8 Wayne Rooney - United
9 Gianluigi Buffon - Juventus
10 Fabio Cannavaro - Real Madrid
List compiled by
FourFourTwo.
