Fifa Ballon d'Or 23 man list: No Manchester United players feature for first time since 2010

The 'new Galacticos' find none of their current players on the list

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (twitter.com/waltersjo)

The Fifa Ballon d'Or 23 man list for football's top individual prize was released today, and it is depressing viewing for Manchester United.

Louis van Gaal may have spent a phenomenal £120m the summer on players such as Memphis Depay, but the 'new Galacticos' find none of their current players on the list to be crowned the world's best player for the first time since 2010.

The list will be whittled down to three on 30 November, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony on 11 January.

MANCHESTER PLAYERS ON FIFA BALLON D'OR LIST SINCE 2010

2015 - None

2014 - Angel Di Maria

2013 - Robin van Persie

2012 - Robin van Persie/ Wayne Rooney

2011 - Nani/ Wayne Rooney

2010 - None

Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the award as a United player in 2008, is the current holder of the award, and is expected to challenge Barcelona pair Lionel Messia and Neymar for the prize.

Barcelona, who won La Liga, the Champions League and domestic cup last year, have the most players on the shortlist with Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta, Argentine defender Javier Mascherano and Croatian Ivan Rakitic joining their front three of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez on the list.

Real have five with Colombian James Rodriguez and German World Cup-winner Toni Kroos also named.

German champions Bayern Munich also have five representatives with Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Mueller, Arjen Robben, Arturo Vidal and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Vidal is joined by Chilean compatriot, Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal, after their Copa American success in July.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, winner of the last four African Player of the Year awards, is the only non European or South American to make the list.