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Barcelona great Xavi has named Manchester United 's 2008 Champions League winners Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney in his all-time British XI.

The midfield maestro, who made his Barca debut against United at Old Trafford in 1998, played against the Reds in the 2008 Champions League semi-final, as well as the 2009 and 2011 finals.

Although Barca outclassed United in Rome and at Wembley, Scholes' sliced strike in 2008 sent United through to their third European Cup final in Moscow.

Of Scholes, Xavi told Shortlist : "Technically the best English player since Matt Le Tissier, who I grew up watching. Just unbelievably gifted.

"Every time I played against him or watched him on TV he made everything look so easy. I’ve never seen anyone make playing that well look so effortless."

Xavi believes Rooney would have improved Pep Guardiola's great Barcelona side.

"He would have fitted into our style of play no problem, but Manchester United would never have wanted to let one of the best players in the world leave," Xavi said. "He’s still the player who makes things happen for them.”

The World Cup winner described Ferdinand as "part of Manchester United’s history. He is strong but he can play. He’ll pass the ball out of defence when he has the opportunity, and that is reminiscent of the Barcelona style."

Xavi recently equalled Giggs' Champions League record for the highest number of appearances for once club, and the Catalan added "it shows the class of the man to publicly congratulate me.

"What impressed me most was that as he got older, he adapted his game. Only the most intelligent players are capable of that."