Put the best 11 from that team against the best 11 we have now and theres no comparison. The side we have now looks definitely weaker.
Howard
Neville Brown (Ferdinand) Silvestre O'Shea
Ronaldo Fletcher Keane Scholes Giggs
Van Nistelrooy
Firstly, our defense now, pisses all over that defense. Howard was Silvestre was appalling in the centre, Ferdinand was great when he came back and O'Shea was soon to be moved from left back after prooving a liability in some games.
Secondly, our midfield was not as good as it looked on paper.
It was Ronaldo's debut season, he showed great potential in some games but was incredibly frautrating at others, Solskjaer was actually our first choice right winger.
Keane's knees were knackered and he was playing a much more limited defensive role that needed Fletcher doing the running for him between him and Scholes who was in an advanced role. Giggs was somewhat out of form and had not made the transition to all round midfielder yet.
Van Nistelrooy was pretty awesome that season.
Against:
Van Der Sar
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Fletcher Scholes Nani
Berbatov Rooney
Our defense has been somewhat shakey this season but it's not had any sort of run yet, I have a feeling it will come good.
Valencia is out for a while, but as this is looking at the teams for the future he'll be with us for a long time. Fletcher and Scholes is perhaps our weakest point, Fletcher is going to need a solid partner to for this team to be great once again. Nani is imperious at the moment.
Berbatov has found his feet and is full of confidence and if I can't include Rooney then Chicharito will surely be a world beater in a season or two.
You really think the 03/04 best 11 is that much better? I certainly don't.
First 11's aside anyway, look at how much fodder is in that sqaud. Carroll, Lynch, Tate, Djemba, Kleberson, Richardson, Pugh, Bellion. There is no strength in depth in that squad.
All our squad is missing right now is 2 quality midfielders. One central and one that can play on each wing.
If we blew some cash on Sanchez and Sneijder/De Rossi, we'd be in a fantastic position. That'd cost us around 60 to 70m I'd say and it's an investment (maybe not this specific but an investment in the squad in general terms) the Glazer's will have to make at some point.