Nominees for World XI 2015 announced

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic have bizarrely been named on FIFPro’s 55-man shortlist for the World XI 2015.

Four Manchester City players – in David Silva, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany – make the list, while local rivals Manchester United are represented by captain Wayne Rooney and goalkeeper David de Gea.

Ten English-based players make the cut – Eden Hazard, Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez, John Terry, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany and David Silva.

Players from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are all featured while Spain internationals plying their trade elsewhere receive recognition as well.

America’s Major League Soccer’s sole representative is New York City and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

Real Madrid is best represented with 12 players on the shortlist while Bayern Munich can also field a full starting XI from their nominees.

The final World XI will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich on January 11, 2016.

Almost 25,000 players voted in this year’s ballot for their world team based on a 4-3-3 formation.