As a strong follower of both the English national team and Manchester United, I have often wondered over the years which of the two sides would come out on top in direct competition against each other. Of course, this fixture could never really happen in earnest, as a vast amount of the Manchester United side make up the English first XI.

Certainly players such as Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck, who all ply their trade for both teams, could all be replaced within the England fold. However, this would severely weaken the Three Lions and would therefore not portray an accurate presentation of the two armies' strongest possible outfits if they were to come to arms on the football pitch.

So, with that in mind, for the sake of this particular article you will have to imagine that these players have the magical ability to play for both England and United. Of course, in both cases there are arguments as to what line up really is the strongest side for both teams. Some fans will have different opinions to others and so for the sake of fairness, the two sides to be compared will be taken from the last two competitive fixtures the teams played—with injured players who would have definitely featured subbed back in.

These being, Manchester United vs. Sunderland on the final day of the Premier League season (with the one exception being Phil Jones swapped out for the Injured Nemanja Vidic at centre back, and then swapped back in for Johnny Evans, who would sadly lose his place with Vidic's return) and England vs. Italy in the Quarter final of Euro 2012 (with Cahill back in for Lescott).

This also means the recent signing of Shinji Kagawa will not be taken into account. At this very early stage of his United career it would be somewhat foolish to assume the role that the Japanese international would be playing in the United fray. 

As such, the two sides will line up like the following lists.

Manchester United

De Gea (GK), Evra (LB), Vidic (CB), Ferdinand (CB), Jones (RB), Giggs (CLM), Carrick (CDM), Scholes (CRM), Young (LW), Valencia (RW), Rooney (CF)

Hart (GK), Johnson (RB), Cole (LB), Terry (CB), Cahill (CB), Gerrard (CM), Parker (CM), Young (LM/LW), Milner (RM/RW), Welbeck (FW), Rooney (FW)

Originally I was going to compare each player on a head-to-head basis, and then decided that perhaps I should compare the entire defence, midfield and attack in different sections. However, in reality looking at the two sides in this manner would never really decide who would win a football match, just who had the better players.

Its crucial to remember that the team with the better players on paper does not always win a game of football. Look at Germany vs. Italy at the European Championships this summer. What was more important to look at would be how both teams approach a game and work together.