Combined XI from all four teams competing in the FA Cup semi-finals

While hardly ground-breaking stuff, picking the eleven best players from two (or more) separate teams is a household favourite.

This practice won't win awards, but it does get a conversation going.

With that in mind, let's get to the point of this feature; a combined XI of players taken from each of this season's FA Cup semi-finalists - Manchester City, Manchester United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Sheffield United.

To make things interesting, and fair, a rule here is that there can be a maximum of only three players from any one club. Also, this hypothetical line-up must be functional.

One last reminder: this is intended to be just-for-fun and an exercise with some interesting parameters. Sorry if your favourite player isn't included! Let's get into it.

Goalkeeper: David De Gea (Man Utd)

Picking someone to start in-between the sticks always needs to be given an appropriate amount of consideration. Give Real Madrid a 'keeper with too many clangers in him and even they'd struggle at times.

That said, this team absolutely needed one of Ederson or De Gea - two top-class stoppers.

While the Brazilian is perhaps a more solid choice, comfortable playing with the ball at his feet, the gap in general ability isn't enough to put him ahead of some of his team-mates.

Centre-back: Ruben Dias (Man City)

And the first of Ederson's team-mates is a £65m-rated stalwart.

Although Pep Guardiola has shuffled his pack a fair bit this season, with the likes of John Stones, Nathan Ake, Aymeric Laporte and Manuel Akanji also impressing, it's hard to ignore the aura of Dias.

He's one of the Premier League's best defenders and would be the linchpin in this combined XI.

Centre-back: John Egan (Sheff Utd)

As mentioned further up, a maximum of just three players from any one team can be used, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to see John Egan here.

The Irishman, while not as refined other defenders listed, is an incredibly important player to Sheffield United and a big reason as to how the Championship side have forced their way into the FA Cup semi-finals this year.

With Dias alongside him, and De Gea behind, the midfielders ahead could relax with a solid safety net beyond them.

Right-back: Diogo Dalot (Man Utd)

Dalot has had his ups and downs over the last few years, but has proven himself to be an important cog in the Manchester United machine.

With Joao Cancelo currently on loan at Bayern Munich, his Portuguese compatriot on the red side of Manchester is arguably the best full-back in the area.

Left-back: Pervis Estupinan (Brighton)

This position proved to be a touch more difficult to fill than all of the others.

Left-back, for many teams, ficticious or otherwise, is a problematic position. Between the four FA Cup semi-finalists, there isn't any one stand-out player for this role.

Estupinan, however, is indeed talented and without doubt would do the position justice in this team. Three assists this season also helps his case.

Defensive midfield: Casemiro (Man Utd)

You don't spend a decade at Real Madrid, winning every trophy available to you, to be left out of some writer's imaginary team.

Casemiro's name speaks for itself. He's one of the world's finest players and is proving it by bossing Man Utd's midfield in his debut Premier League season.

The 31-year-old would likely be the captain of this team, if you like - fitting, as he would be able to influence all facets of play from its heart.

Central midfield: Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton)

You don't win the World Cup to be left out of some writer's imaginary team...

That would be selling Mac Allister a little short, though; he is an incredible midfielder - for Brighton, too, not just Argentina - and covers a breathtaking amount of the pitch when he plays.

This XI is star-studded with several Man City and Man Utd players, but Mac Allister would absolutely be at his level right alongside them.

An effective recycler of possession with a keen eye for goal, the Brighton man would help glue together the midfield and front line.

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)

Similar to Casemiro further up, the Belgian's inclusion is this team needs little explanation.

Arguably the best player in the Premier League over the last eight years, De Bruyne would improve any team lucky enough to have him sitting in the middle of.

A bit more of a luxury player than Mac Allister, City's little genius gets the best out of the players in front of him. His 28 goal contributions this season speak for themselves.

Right wing: Solly March (Brighton)

The front line becomes a little bit tricky, but make no mistake that March would certainly be a good fit as a member of the following trio.

With some truly world-class options further down the pitch, some compromises are needed to be made up top.

That said, much of what was explained about Mac Allister is also true for March - he has been one of Brighton's best players this season, if not the best.

With eight goals and seven assists in all competitions this term, he'd fit right in.

Left wing: Iliman Ndiaye (Sheff Utd)

With a maximum of three players from any one team, there has to be at least two Sheffield United players in this XI - and Ndiaye is the most stand-out performer.

Egan is the team's stalwart at the back, while the Senegal star is the creative spark at the other end of the field.

With 14 goals this season, as well as eight assists, it's hard to ignore Ndiaye for this team, especially when he'd be playing alongside...

Centre forward: Erling Haaland (Man City)

Surprise, surprise. I mean, come on, who else was going to be here?

There is an argument for Marcus Rashford to be included somewhere in the front three, but (once again) there is the maximum of three players per team rule.

Haaland has taken Man City - an already ludicrously great team - to another level entirely this season.

The Norwegian has scored 48 goals already, in 41 matches, for his new club, and could be the final piece of the puzzle for Pep Guardiola to truly dominate home and away.

Flashscore's combined FA Cup semi-finalists XI: (4-3-3) De Gea; Dias, Egan, Dalot, Estupinan; Casemiro, Mac Allister, De Bruyne; March, Ndiaye, Haaland