Man Utd 2008 and Arsenal 2026 combined XI after Wayne Rooney makes stance clear

Arsenal have been impressive throughout this season ( Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal and Manchester United face off in a blockbuster clash on Sunday afternoon. For United, a win keeps them in touch with the top four of the Premier League and in with a chance of European qualification next season.

For Arsenal , a victory would mean their top spot in the table remains secure as they chase their first league title since 2004. Over the years, both teams have had some incredible players that drove them to new heights both domestically and in Europe.

Think Cristiano Ronaldo , Thierry Henry , Wayne Rooney , Dennis Bergkamp - big game players for big game moments. The rise of the Gunners this season has begged the question - how would they fare against Premier League sides of old?

Rooney had something to say about it as Arsenal hero Theo Walcott asked him how Mikel Arteta's current side would fare against his 2007/08 United team.

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Walcott said: "It’s kind of flipped, would your ’08 team compete – well, you would compete against this team but how does it compare to your 2008 team, which was probably the best team that I’ve ever played against?"

Immediately, Rooney said: "Yeah, we’d batter them! I think we would."

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1 of 11 Goalkeeper - Edwin van der Sar While David Raya has been an impressive signing for Arsenal, Edwin van der Sar is the clear winner of this battle. With 132 clean sheets in 313 Premier League appearances, the Dutch man mountain pulled out some unbelievable stops during his career with United. ( Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

2 of 11 Right-back - Jurrien Timber Gary Neville spent most of the 2007/08 season out injured, with Wes Brown and John O'Shea filling in during his absence. Jurrien Timber gets my vote here on this merit, although the Dutch defender has been hugely important for the Gunners throughout this campaign so far. ( Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

3 of 11 Centre-half - Nemanja Vidic The centre-half slots may be an argument for some but are a no-brainer in my eyes. Yes, William Saliba and Gabriel have been an impressive partnership in north London and a defining part of the Arsenal defence. However, the no-nonsense defending and ability to stick his body on the line of Nemanja Vidic pips him to the starting spot. ( Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The centre-half slots may be an argument for some but are a no-brainer in my eyes. Yes, William Saliba and Gabriel have been an impressive partnership in north London and a defining part of the Arsenal defence.

4 of 11 Centre-half - Rio Ferdinand Rio Ferdinand is considered a Premier League icon and rightfully so. With 504 Premier League appearances under his belt, the defender may not have the goal threat Gabriel holds - but he knew exactly how to play his position to its fullest. ( Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

5 of 11 Left-back - Patrice Evra Riccardo Calafiori is undoubtedly an excellent player who manages the overlapping style that Mikel Arteta loves in a fullback. But Evra's origins as a forward made him exceptionally dangerous even in defence and his 14 major honours with United certainly showcase his legendary status. ( Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Riccardo Calafiori is undoubtedly an excellent player who manages the overlapping style that Mikel Arteta loves in a fullback.

6 of 11 Midfield - Declan Rice Declan Rice has been a man reborn this season. The 12 goal contributions may not seem like much but the England international's ability to take charge in midfield and dictate play gets him in the combined XI over current United boss Michael Carrick. ( Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

7 of 11 Midfield - Paul Scholes A genius with a loyalty to United that can never be questioned, Scholes is the ultimate midfielder. He can defend, attack, score a wondergoal and set up another. He did all this and more throughout a 20-year career with the club and while Martin Zubimendi has scored some screamers, he doesn't come close to Salford's very own magician. ( Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

A genius with a loyalty to United that can never be questioned, Scholes is the ultimate midfielder. He can defend, attack, score a wondergoal and set up another.

8 of 11 Midfield - Martin Odegaard It felt tough placing Odegaard in this slot over Ryan Giggs, considering the United star's history in the Premier League, but him being 34 at the time greatly cost him a spot. Meanwhile, the Norwegian midfielder proudly wears the captain's armband for Arsenal and has been their go-to player during many periods of difficulty in the past. ( Image: Ian Kington / IKIMAGES / AFP)

It felt tough placing Odegaard in this slot over Ryan Giggs, considering the United star's history in the Premier League, but him being 34 at the time greatly cost him a spot.

9 of 11 Left wing - Cristiano Ronaldo This one shouldn't raise any questions. Both Gabriel Martinelli and Leonardo Trossard are good players for Arsenal, but they pale in comparison to one of the greatest players of all time. Considering Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or during the 2007/08 season, this is the most obvious pick for the combined XI. ( Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

This one shouldn't raise any questions. Both Gabriel Martinelli and Leonardo Trossard are good players for Arsenal, but they pale in comparison to one of the greatest players of all time.

10 of 11 Striker - Wayne Rooney Widely regarded as one of the greatest attackers the Premier League has ever seen, Rooney played in a number of positions across the frontline. Pitting him against Viktor Gyokeres felt almost mean but slightly less unfair than if Ronaldo was in the number nine position. ( Image: CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)

11 of 11 Right wing - Bukayo Saka Saka has been one of the faces of the Premier League since he burst onto the scene in 2018. Arsenal's 'Starboy' has been consistently performing for them and a homegrown talent with a sky-is-the-limit future deserves his spot in this line-up. ( Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)