Ex-Manchester United striker Louis Saha reveals star-studded ultimate team-mates XI including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Zinedine Zidane... but who else makes the cut?

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Louis Saha played alongside some of the game's biggest names during his time at Manchester United and at international level with France.

The former Everton and Tottenham striker lined up alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo at club level and Zinedine Zidane for his country.

Here, Saha picks his ultimate XI made up of old team-mates - and explains why they stood out from the rest in his own words.

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has picked his ultimate former team-mate XI

Goalkeeper – Edwin van der Sar

Speaking on behalf of online betting site BetStars, Saha said: 'He is the best goalkeeper that I played with in my career. Very attacking-minded, very strong on his line, he can go and can distribute the ball to different areas of the field so very good for a striker.'

Edwin van der Sar pulls off a stunning save for Manchester United against West Ham in 2009

Left back – Gareth Bale

'I'm going for someone very attacking, but he can definitely defend, it's Gareth Bale. He is the fastest player I've ever seen as well so he can really be an asset on the counter-attack.'

Saha is congratulated by Gareth Bale after scoring for Tottenham against Bolton back in 2012

Centre backs – Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand

'I will go with the pair of Vidic and Ferdinand. They are the most complete players in terms of defending, holding the ball, they are very smart, very aggressive, the best [centre back] pair I've ever seen.'

Saha has hailed Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic as 'the best [centre back] pair I've ever seen'

Right back – Lilian Thuram

'A more defensive player to balance things out, he's very aggressive, very focused and will get eight out of 10 every game, he's a bit more defensive-minded but very strong mentally.'

France defender Lilian Thuram battles with Shota Arveladze during a Euro 2008 qualifier

Central midfield – Paul Scholes

'I have to start with Scholesy in midfield, he's the most balanced player with the biggest brain I've ever seen. 

'He's maybe not the fastest, might not be the biggest or the strongest but definitely the best midfielder in terms of knowledge and how to keep the best tempo.'

Paul Scholes scores a trademark goal for Manchester United against Fulham in 2009

Central midfield – Zinedine Zidane

'Next to him [Scholes] I will play Zidane, another technical genius. He can bring a bit more magic. Definitely, physically he's a bit stronger as well.'

Saha played alongside legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane for the French national side

Left midfield – Thierry Henry

'I don't know how many goals he's scored but Thierry Henry is definitely a player that needs to be in my team. It's just frightening the pace of the player, the actual ferocity he had in front of goal, that's why he scored so many goals. 

'He was talented but also an extremely hard worker. I may mix with Cristiano [Ronaldo], they can switch position.'

Saha trains alongside team-mates Robert Pires, Zidane and Thierry Henry during Euro 2004

Right midfield – Cristiano Ronaldo

'I think he starts in this position but he can play everywhere, he's the most impressive player I've played with. It's the same for Cristiano [as Henry] but he has a bit more selfishness in his game. Henry used to get a lot of assists so there is a good balance between them two on the wings. 

'Cristiano can switch roles and mix it up but he's more of a striker. He has this mentality, he can work a little bit harder now than when he was with me at Manchester United and he can score from every position, free kicks, headers, you name it he can do it.'

Saha celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after watching his team-mate score against Blackburn

Attacking midfield – Wayne Rooney

'I will go for Wazza, he's got that ability to be the kind of player who you can ask to defend, take a defensive role, he has that balance in this role. 

'He really works hard but at the same time, he can dictate the whole game to the right tempo, nice passing range and he can do the magic pretty much on a regular basis. He is someone who you can rely on.'

Wayne Rooney and Saha enjoyed a good relationship on the pitch at Manchester United

Striker – Ruud van Nistelrooy

'He's the most talented in the box that I've ever seen, for so many reasons. I think you need to be very selfish, very aggressive in the way that you attack in the box, you have to only think about one think, scoring goals, and that was his main focus. 

'You could see more things from him in training, he could dribble everywhere, control every ball but in a game he was just an animal, just focused on scoring many, many goals, so that's why I've picked him.' 

Saha embraces Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Dutchman's strike against Bolton in April, 2006

Louis Saha was speaking on behalf of online betting site BetStars. Prove your sport smarts and #Callit at BetStars