Berbatov’s Ultimate XI: The Silky No.9 Picks His Dream Team-Mates

Dimitar Berbatov, the Rolls‑Royce of centre-forwards, has dropped his definitive best XI of team-mates — and it’s a side that would give just about anyone nightmares. Named on Optus Sport, the Bulgarian’s line-up mixes Old Trafford royalty with a couple of Monaco maestros, showing an eye for balance as well as star power.

He also couldn’t resist a dig at his old club, laying into Manchester United’s draw with Aston Villa — a timely reminder that standards at the Theatre of Dreams aren’t what they were when many of these names were ruling the roost.

If you’re sizing up form and nostalgia in equal measure, our best betting sites hub is a handy companion — but the only safe bet is that Berbatov’s XI oozes class from back to front.

Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar

The big Dutchman was the calm in United’s storm — a goalkeeper who made defenders breathe easier the moment he pulled on the gloves. Van der Sar joined late in his career and still delivered title-winning excellence, plus he owns the Premier League record for minutes without conceding. Assurance, authority, presence — the lot.

Defence: Neville, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra

Right-back: Gary Neville. By the time Berbatov arrived, Neville’s legs weren’t in their pomp, but the standards and voice never dipped. A captain in all but name; relentless, demanding, and still a nuisance for any winger in training.

Centre-backs: Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Chalk and cheese in the best possible way. Vidic was pure old-school bravery — blood, sweat and broken teeth if needed. Ferdinand read the game two passes ahead, never flustered, barely needed to slide. Together? As good as it gets in Premier League history.

Left-back: Patrice Evra. Energy for days, great in the air for his size, and razor-sharp in the pass. A heartbeat of the dressing room and a constant outlet up the flank — the kind of full-back forwards love because he’s always on the move and always available.

Midfield: Paul Scholes and Fabinho

Scholes picks himself. Vision like radar, weight of pass like poetry, and that trademark strike from the edge — he made the game look simple because his brain worked quicker than everyone else’s.

Alongside him, a curveball: Fabinho from their Monaco days. A right-back turned midfield controller who embraced the physicality, learned fast, and later bossed it for Liverpool. Berbatov saw the tools early — responsibility in possession, positional discipline, and enough bite to thrive in England.

Attackers: Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Giggs, Rooney

Right wing: Cristiano Ronaldo. Berbatov shared only one season with him at United, but that was enough to witness the obsession with improvement. Relentless work, absurd numbers, and the kind of aura that bends matches to his will.

Attacking midfield: James Rodriguez. In Monaco colours, the Colombian’s left foot was a sat-nav for strikers. Head up, always forward-thinking, threading passes into impossible gaps — the creative glue in this XI.

Left wing: Ryan Giggs. From flying winger to deep-lying schemer, he evolved without ever losing his edge. Longevity is one thing; reinventing yourself at the top for two decades is another entirely.

Striker: Wayne Rooney. The complete forward — goals, graft, leadership, and a willingness to do whatever the team needed. As a partner for Berbatov, he was selfless and streetwise, just as happy to drop in and create as he was to finish.

The Verdict

It’s a dressing room full of serial winners and huge personalities, but also a team that actually fits: protection behind the ball, craft in midfield, and a front line that can score in every possible way. Berbatov could’ve gone full United nostalgia and nobody would’ve blamed him, yet the Monaco nods to James and Fabinho prove he wasn’t just picking names — he was building a side.

Ledley King and Michael Carrick can feel unlucky to miss out, but when you’re up against Ferdinand-Vidic and Scholes, you’re splitting hairs. As for United today, Berbatov’s frustration after the Villa result says it all — this XI is a reminder of the standards he expects, because he lived them.