Staff : First team : Ben Foster

Ben Foster's arrival at Old Trafford was a whirlwind affair. The gifted goalkeeper was on loan at Wrexham when he caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson in the Football League Trophy final.

In Cardiff to watch his son Darren in action, the Gaffer noted Foster's fine performance, who kept a clean sheet as Wrexham won 2-0 after extra time.

Foster was scouted in the following three months, before being prised away from Stoke City - without ever playing for the Potters' first team - for an undisclosed fee in July 2005. He's never been one to stay in a place too long, with five loan spells in three years at the Britannia Stadium, and that precedent continued after his move to Old Trafford.

After just one and a half pre-season friendlies for United's Reserves, Ben was farmed out to Watford on a season-long loan. Although tipped by many for relegation, the Hornets had a stunning campaign - thanks in no small part to Foster's performances.

Aidy Boothroyd's side returned to the Premiership after beating Leeds in the final of the Championship Play-offs. For the second year in a row Foster kept a clean sheet at the Millennium Stadium as Watford won 3-0.

Just when it seemed his perfect season couldn't get any better, Foster was a shock call-up to the standby list for England's 2006 World Cup squad.

Although his presence wasn't required in Germany, his consideration for international football demonstrates what a fine prospect United have signed.

Position: Goalkeeper
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
Joined United: 19 Jul 2005
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: Stoke City
United Debut: On loan at Watford during 05/06
International England

Staff : First team : Tom Heaton

Chester-born goalkeeper Tom Heaton has been decorated at youth and Reserve level for United, but is yet to make his first team bow.

An excellent shot stopper and always in full command of his penalty area, Tom is a reliable solid goalkeeper who has always shown great promise.

Heaton signed professionally at Old Trafford on 8 July 2002 and quickly set about ascending through the club's ranks - notching 22 appearances for Francisco Filho's Under-17s side as they came second in their league.

Tom's debut season was capped by an FA Youth Cup winner's medal, although he was an unused substitute throughout the entire campaign with Luke Steele preferred in goal.

The 2003/04 season brought a similar climax, with Heaton on the bench as United romped to the Manchester Senior Cup final against Manchester City. Although he didn't appear in the win at Old Trafford, Tom had still made great progress throughout the season, notching 14 Under-19s appearances and eight Reserve starts.

Heaton stepped off the periphery of the second string during the 2004/05 season, however, and was first choice goalkeeper as Ricky Sbragia's side won the Quadruple. The demands of two leagues, two cup competitions and a play-off were huge, and Heaton made 36 appearances as United clinched everything except the Manchester Senior Cup.

The 2005/06 season saw Tom's progress somewhat impeded. Loan spells at Swindon and Antwerp failed to yield the desired amount of action and he is now back at Carrington.

Position: Goalkeeper

Staff : First team : Chris Eagles

With excellent dribbling skills, impressive control and a vicious shot, Chris Eagles is rightly held in high esteem by many at Old Trafford.

The young right-sided midfielder caught the eye of fans as soon as he was given his first taste of first team action - a 3-2 Carling Cup win at Leeds in 2003.

Eagles came on as a substitute for Kieran Richardson and left the home defence dazed whenever he received the ball, twisting them this way and that as he helped inspire United to an extra-time triumph.

With nine first team appearances under his belt, Chris is yet to make a telling impact on Sir Alex Ferguson's side, but has been an inspirational figure for United's Reserve team.

Regularly chipping in with goals as well as assists for others, Eagles played an important part in the second string's 2004/05 Quadruple campaign.

That season was punctuated by seven first team appearances - including starts against Dinamo Bucharest, Arsenal and Exeter - and a four month loan spell at Watford.

Chris returned to Vicarage Road for a second loan in January 2006 - after five productive months at Sheffield Wednesday - and helped guide the Hornets back to the Premiership via the play-offs.

To further his education, Eagles embarked on a four month loan at Dutch Eridivisie side NEC Nijmegen during the first half of the 2006/07 season, where he caught the eye in his sporadic appearances.

He returned to Old Trafford at the start of 2007, and continues to be an important figure in Brian McClair's Reserves.


Position: Winger
Appearances: 9
Goals: 0
Joined United: 08 Jul 2002
Transfer Fee: None
Previous Clubs: Man United
United Debut: 28 Oct 2003 v Leeds United (A)

Staff : First team : Craig Cathcart

Tall, good in the air and strong in the tackle, Craig Cathcart is a traditionally-styled centre-half, but he also possesses the ability and confidence to bring the ball out of defence.

The Belfast-born defender, who has played for Northern Ireland at youth level, was coveted by a number of clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Rangers and Manchester City.

He spent time at United’s School of Excellence in Belfast before - as a lifelong United fan – rejecting any other offers in favour of joining his boyhood club.

Cathcart was joint highest appearance-maker for the Academy Under-18s in 2005/06, starting 23 matches and appearing once as a substitute.

Craig captained the U18s during the 2006/07 season, and has regularly been called up to the Reserves to further his education.

Position: Defender

Staff : First team : Tomasz Kuszczak

The latest edition to United’s goalkeeping ranks, Tomasz Kuszczak, arrived at the club knowing exactly what is required to produce an outstanding performance at Old Trafford.

With West Brom’s Premiership survival at stake, the 6ft 3in Polish international was called upon against United in May 2005 when Russell Hoult went off injured after just 22 minutes at OT. The Baggies were 1-0 down to a 21st minute Ryan Giggs opener, but Kuszczak pulled off a series of saves in only his fourth game for the club to keep United out for the rest of the match. Robert Earnshaw’s penalty earned a vital Premiership point, helping Bryan Robson’s side avoid the drop.

The following season saw Tomasz become the Baggies’s first-choice keeper. His performances, despite West Brom’s relegation, didn’t go unnoticed. The Reds embarked on a relentless pursuit for his services throughout summer 2006. West Brom, having already turned down three offers from United, finally relented on 10 August. He joins United initially on a season-long loan, leading to a permanent three-year deal at the end of the period.

It ended a two-year stay at The Hawthorns for Tomasz following his move from Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin in July 2004. He made his Premiership debut for West Brom in September 2004 against Fulham and went on to make 30 league appearances for the Midlands club.

Tomasz is highly thought of in his homeland. His international debut for Poland, against Malta in December 2003, came at the age of 21 after during 14 appearances at Under21 level. He was also part of Poland's 2006 World Cup squad, where he was understudy to first choice keeper Artur Boruc, but did not play in the tournament.

If you have trouble with the sheer number of Z's in his name - he has a scrabble score of 53 – the pronunciation of his name is ‘Tomash Koosh-shack’.

Position: Goalkeeper
Appearances: 12
Goals: 0
Joined United: 10 Aug 2006
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: West Brom
United Debut: 17 Sep 2006 v Arsenal (H)
International Poland

Staff : First team : Gerard Pique

Gerard Piqué arrived at United in the summer of 2004 with great promise and potential. Highly-regarded at his former hometown club Barcelona where he was nominated as the Catalonia Player of the Year, Piqué opted to relocate to Old Trafford in search of first team chances.

United’s coaches were so impressed with the way Piqué settled in that he was handed an earlier-than-expected senior debut as a substitute for John O’Shea during the Reds’ Carling Cup trip to Crewe. Piqué's 23-minute cameo in the 3-0 victory came barely a week after his first appearance for the Reserves. He looked instantly at ease alongside Wes Brown in the centre of defence, twice snuffing out the threat of then-Crewe striker Dean Ashton.

He made two further first team outings during the 2004/05 campaign, as a sub for Brown in the Reds’ 3-0 Champions League defeat away at Fenerbahce and as a starter in the goalless FA Cup stalemate against Exeter at Old Trafford. The young Catalan was also an integral part of the club’s quadruple-winning Reserve side, chipping in with two goals in 24 appearances. Piqué won yet more silverware in his second season at Old Trafford as he helped the Reserves claim the Treble. He was a regular fixture in Rene Meulensteen’s side, playing 26 times and firing two goals.

The Spanish defender made his Premiership debut at the Stadium of Light in October 2005 as United ran out 3-1 winners over Sunderland. He featured in six more league and Cup matches during the remainder of the 2005/06 season including an impressive display at right-back in his first Premiership start against West Ham at OT in March 2006.

Position: Defender
Appearances: 11
Goals: 0
Joined United: 01 Oct 2004
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: Barcelona
United Debut: 26 Oct 2004 v Crewe Alex (A)
International Spain

Staff : First team : Mikael Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre is one of the most experienced members of Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad, averaging almost 50 appearances per season in his seven years at Old Trafford.

This impressive record owes much to Mikael’s ability to play in two different positions, centre-back and left-back.

As such, he’s survived the threat posed by new acquisitions and been invaluable to the manager when others have been suspended or injured – in the latter stages of 2005/06, he was the one patrolling Gabriel Heinze’s patch on the left flank while new-boy Nemanja Vidic partnered central lynchpin Rio Ferdinand.

The return to left-back, where he’d once been resident, enabled Silvestre to show off some of his attacking skills – a pinpoint cross for Wayne Rooney’s goal against Arsenal in April 2006 being the prime example.

He later described that 2-0 win for United as “the best match of my career. I was up against Alexandr Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor, but I achieved the objectives I set myself. I had a huge amount of determination. It was a benchmark game for me.”

Silvestre believes that performance led to his inclusion in the French World Cup squad after an almost 18-month spell in the international wilderness. His durability may also have been a factor - only Ferdinand and Rooney started more than his 44 games for United during 2005/06.


Position: Defender
Appearances: 355
Goals: 10
Joined United: 02 Sep 1999
Transfer Fee: £4million
Previous Clubs: Internazionale
United Debut: 11 Sep 1999 v Liverpool (A)
International France

Staff : First team : Phil Bardsley

Tough-tackling Phil Bardsley is proud to fly the local flag in United's cosmopolitan squad. Born in Eccles and bred in Salford, not far from the football pitches at Littleton Road and The Cliff where United used to train.

His aspirations were fostered from an early age as he watched players like Bryan Robson and Roy Keane going through their paces. By the time Phil started his three-year scholarship in July 2001, the club had moved its training HQ to Carrington. There, all the scholars, not just the Salfordians, could be inspired by seeing the senior players at close quarters.

Bardsley completed his journey from the Salford playing fields to the senior United ranks with a League Cup trip to West Brom in December 2003. The Reds lost 2-0 but it was still a successful night on a personal level. Sir Alex described his performance at right-back as "outstanding." He can also play at centre-back, the position he occupied in his first season with United's youth team. In his second season, 2002/03, he helped the club to win the FA Youth Cup in a feat he described as "massive for a young footballer."

He is perhaps unfortunate to be competing with club skipper Gary Neville. However, a natural successor to the right-back berth, Phil seized his chance when Gary was injured in autumn 2005. He started the 2-1 home win over Benfica in September, then six of the seven matches in October. Bardsley spent the latter part of 2005/06 on loan to Burnley, his second spell away from the club following a stint with Royal Antwerp in 2003/04. He helped Burnley keep four clean sheets in six matches.

Position: Defender
Appearances: 17
Goals: 0
Joined United: 01 Jul 2001
Transfer Fee: None
Previous Clubs: None
United Debut: 03 Dec 2003 v West Brom (A)
International England

Staff : First team : Darren Fletcher

In May 2000, Darren Fletcher was set to be included in United's squad for the trip to Villa Park, but FA rules - and his schoolboy status - denied him the chance.

He joined United officially as a trainee in July 2000, but injuries stymied his progress. He eventually made his debut against Basel in March 2003, but it was in the following season that Fletch made his mark, notching 35 appearances.

The maturity of his game impressed, and in United’s 4-3-3 system he became the legs and lungs of Roy Keane, all the while learning his trade from the master.

By this stage, Fletcher was established as one of Scotland’s leading lights: he scored the solitary goal against Lithuania that earned them a play-off for Euro 2004 and, later that season, at the age of 20, became Scotland’s youngest captain for 118 years.

The 2004/05 campaign brought Fletcher’s first goal for United, in a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day, and his importance to Sir Alex’s plans was reflected by his inclusion ahead of Ryan Giggs in the FA Cup final against Arsenal.

Fletcher was United’s matchwinner against Chelsea in November 2005, famously heading the goal that ended the champions’ 40-game Premiership unbeaten run. That was only his fourth goal for the Reds; if he can improve that ratio, his will be a very strong overall package.


Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 142
Goals: 7
Joined United: 03 Jul 2000
Transfer Fee: None
Previous Clubs: None
United Debut: 12 Mar 2003 v FC Basel (H)
International Scotland

Staff : First team : Kieran Richardson

A cocksure, versatile go-getter with a sweet left foot, Kieran Richardson was a peripheral figure at OT until a loan move to West Brom in January 2005 changed his life.

He was crucial in West Brom's escape from relegation despite being bottom on the final day of the season – then scored twice on his England debut against the USA a fortnight later.

Born in London, Kieran began his career at West Ham before a move to United in 2001. He made his Reds debut in the Champions League two days after his 18th birthday in October 2002, and two weeks later scored his first goal on his home debut, a flying header against Leicester in the League Cup. Later that season he also notched in United's FA Youth Cup final win over Middlesbrough. But with Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo ruling the roost on the flanks, Richardson had to add more strings to his bow to finally break through. His drive and passing allowed a move into central midfield – where he excelled with West Brom – while his energy and attacking ability mean he can also play at full-back in the Roberto Carlos mould.

Returning to Old Trafford in 2005/06, Richardson first made his mark at left-back, filling in for the injured

Gabby Heinze. He soon moved back into midfield, however, and eventually to his favoured position on the left of midfield. On the season's final day, he gave an outstanding display against Charlton, nearly breaking the crossbar with one 35-yard rocket, then getting on the scoresheet with a low effort from similar range. With tricks, pace and energy, he is an increasingly important squad member.

Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 78
Goals: 11
Joined United: 02 Jul 2001
Transfer Fee: None
Previous Clubs: None
United Debut: 23 Oct 2002 v Olympiakos (A)
International England

Staff : First team : Dong Fangzhuo

Dong Fangzhuo had to be patient to become the first ever Chinese player at Old Trafford. Having joined United in January 2004, he spent two years on loan at Royal Antwerp until he was eligible to play in England.

In his first season in Belgium, he was the league's top scorer with 17 goals, and scored 35 goals in 61 games during his time at Antwerp.

On United's 2005 Asia tour, Dong pulled on the red shirt for the first time in a friendly against Hong Kong XI and scored in the 2-0 win. Last summer he got the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs during the 2006 pre-season tour of South Africa.

Sir Alex says: "He is quick and athletic and he can only improve by training with the first team squad here." The United boss also praised the young striker for showing "great patience and determination at Royal Antwerp" to eventually become a United player.

There is often confusion over the spelling of his name. His surname is Dong, first name Fangzhuo, which is often spelt incorrectly as Fangzhou. In China, the family name (in this case Dong) comes first, which often causes confusion in countries and cultures where family names appear last.

Staff : First team : Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

One of the biggest cheers of the 2005/06 season heralded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return to first-team action as a substitute in December’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham City.

A gruelling 20 months on from the knee injury that looked to have put paid to the affable Norwegian’s hopes of ever appearing in a Red shirt again, Solskjaer was back. Although United’s rich post-Christmas vein of goalscoring form limited his chances – he made just two more full appearances and one from the bench before the season was out – his injury nightmare finally, hopefully, seems to be over.

Dubbed the baby-faced assassin courtesy of young looks and a ruthless ability to find the net, Ole’s clinical finishing touch was, of course, best exhibited at the climax of the 1999 Champions League final. Deep into injury time his instinctive toe-poke from Teddy Sheringham’s flick-on beat Bayern Munich’s Oliver Kahn to ensure victory, complete the Treble and cement his place in United folklore. That same season he also achieved the impossible, scoring four in 12 minutes as a late substitute in an 8-1 annihilation of Nottingham Forest – United’s record away win – in their own back yard.

Despite his injuries, Ole's intelligence with or without the ball remains an asset. He'll be around for some time yet. Ten years since joining United from Molde for £1.5m, he has two years on his contract and is already coaching young players at the club in preparation for a career after he hangs up his boots.

Position: Striker
Appearances: 362
Goals: 126
Joined United: 29 Jul 1996
Transfer Fee: £1.5m
Previous Clubs: Molde FC
United Debut: 25 Aug 1996 v Blackburn (H)
International Norway

Staff : First Team : Edwin Van der Sar

The No.1 slot at United has had its fair share of pretenders since Peter Schmeichel vacated the throne in 1999, but the willowy Dutchman appears the closest thing yet to a ready-made replacement for the great Dane.

An undisclosed signing from Fulham in the summer of 2005, van der Sar has brought all the experience and know-how between the sticks you’d expect to find from a man who is his country’s most-capped player.

His first season at OT saw him start all but five of United’s 56 games, keeping an impressive 24 clean sheets, including five on the spin from his debut.

A UEFA Cup and Champions League winner with his first club Ajax in 1992 and 1995, he also won four league titles and three domestic cups with the Amsterdam outfit, before spending two seasons in Serie A with Juventus.

With the arrival of Gianlugi Buffon at the Stadio delle Alpi threatening his first-team chances, he made a £5 million switch to Fulham in 2001 at the outset of the Londoners’ Premiership adventure, but after four seasons at Craven Cottage United came knocking.

Van der Sar’s solid presence, agility and reliability have been one of the season’s big plusses and his quick and inventive distribution has assisted United’s speedy attacking. Despite his age, he should be around for a good while yet.

Position: Goalkeeper
Appearances: 91
Goals: 0
Joined United: 01 Jun 2005
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: Fulham
United Debut: 09 Aug 2005 v Debreceni VSC (H)
International Holland