Reds Defenders Honoured

Two United players have been rewarded for their form with a place in the FIFPro World XI for 2009.

Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra have both been selected, following a poll of professional players around the globe.

The pair performed to the highest of standards during the last year, with both making key contributions to the Reds' record-breaking run of clean sheets that continued until March.

This latest accolade rounds off a successful year for Vidic in particular; the Serbian was voted United’s Player of the Year in May for his solid defensive work as well as some important goals at the other end of the pitch.

Former Reds winger Cristiano Ronaldo is also in the team, largely due to his displays while still at United in a third consecutive title-winning season.

The only club with more inclusions in the FIFProXI were Champions League victors Barcelona, with four players named in the side.

The full team was as follows:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid); Daniel Alves (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Patrice Evra (Manchester United); Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Xavi and Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona); Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).