So here’s is Uwe’s dream team…
Formation: 4-4-2
Keeper: Bert Trautmann
“Based on his extraordinary performances on the pitch and his bravery on and off the pitch for so many years, I choose Bert. He battled hard to win the affection of the City fans and ultimately the whole nation but as a he keeper, he was among the very best.”
Right-back: Pablo Zabaleta
“Zabaleta came to City as part of a new generation of players under the new ownership of the Club. He is a true competitor and very consistent in his performance levels. I admire his attacking style and he has the perfect balance between attack and defence, as well as being a wonderful ambassador for City.”
Left-back: Willie Donachie
“Willie was a classy left-back who was also my coach for a time at City. You don’t play more than 500 games without being a very good defender.”
Centre-back: Dave Watson
“A great defender whose aerial ability was one of his great strengths, Watson also moved to the Bundesliga and was a success there as well - something few English players have done over the years.”
Centre-back: Vincent Kompany (captain)
“An outstanding defender and a very modern centre-back. He loves to defend and is good building attacks from the back. He knows how to organise and like Zabaleta, he is a fantastic ambassador for the Club.”
Midfield right: Mike Summerbee
“Mike played in the glory days of the late 1960s and early 1970s and he’d provide the crosses the strikers need. A very direct player who wasn’t easy to defend against.”
Midfield central: Colin Bell
“Colin Bell would be my central midfielder. His ability, speed and athleticism set him apart and for me he is one of the greatest players the Club has ever had, if not the best”
Midfield central: Asa Hartford
“A left-footed midfielder who was technically good and a hard, fierce competitor, too. Asa was always a great team player, too and was a tough opponent nobody liked to face.
Midfield left: David Silva
“David Silva, for me, is a complete footballer. He can also play centrally, of course, but I’d have him on the left in this team. He has wonderful ability, vision and technically excellent. Always available for a pass, I would have loved to have played alongside him.”
Striker: Carlos Tevez
“Tevez had the ability to lift a whole stadium and his team-mates on his own. His infectious, energetic style is sorely missed and alongside Aguero, we had one of the best striker partnerships in the world. A natural winner who never gave up and gave his all every time he played. It was a sad day when he left City.”
Striker: Sergio Aguero
“Sergio is a prototype striker, very explosive and capable of everything. He can dribble, run in behind, turn defenders and can score goals with his left, right or head - a complete striker.”
Bench: “Joe Hart, Tommy Booth, Tony Book, Paul Walsh, Peter Beagrie, Ali Benarbia and Craig Bellamy.”
Manager/Coach: “Brian Horton - a great coach who believed in me and gave me a chance in England.”
Verdict: “It’s hard to get together a team from all eras, especially those who played before I came to the Club, but I know enough about the players I’ve included to merit a place in this XI.”
