Dream United Team: France v the Netherlands

PROFILING THE NETHERLANDS SQUAD

Edwin van der Sar: A Champions League winner 13 years apart with Ajax and United, Edwin was still at the pinnacle of European football when he retired in 2011, aged 40. Capped 130 times by his country, Edwin, who claimed four Premier League titles with the Reds, was selected for three World Cups and four European Championships.

Jaap Stam: A true man-mountain at the back, Stam was an immovable force in United’s 1999 Treble win and claimed two more titles in 2000 and 2001 before shockingly departing for Lazio at the beginning of the 2001/02 season. A relatively late starter at international level, Jaap appeared 67 times for the Netherlands between 1996 and 2004.

Arnold Muhren: Muhren won silverware with Ipswich Town and United and his remarkable longevity ensured he was the only player from Rinus Michels’ legendary Ajax side of the ’70s to play a part in the great coach’s Euro 1988 success with his country – still the only major international title the Netherlands have lifted.

Daley Blind: The son of the great Ajax captain Danny, Daley caught the eye playing as a wing-back for the Netherlands under Louis van Gaal, as the Dutch finished third at the 2014 World Cup. Signed by United shortly afterwards, Blind was a key member of the sides which experienced Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup success, often playing as a ball-playing centre-back but also able to step into midfield and play out wide.

Robin van Persie: So long a thorn in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side with Arsenal, the 29-year-old shocked English football when he made the decision to “listen to the little boy inside of me” and make the move to Old Trafford in 2012. One electric year and 30 goals later, Reds were celebrating a 20th league title thanks to RVP’s gargantuan impact. A United player until 2015, Robin is the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer and played in the 2010 World Cup final defeat to Spain.

Ruud van Nistelrooy: One of the most prolific forwards Old Trafford has ever seen, Ruud pounced 150 times in just 219 games for United between 2001 and 2006, helping the Reds to Premier League success in 2003. He appeared 70 times for his country between 1998 and 2011, scoring 35 goals – including efforts at the 2006 World Cup and the 2004 and 2008 Euros.