Staff : Manager : Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in British football history – winning 18 major trophies during his time in charge of the Reds. Yet despite almost two decades at the Old Trafford helm he remains focused on increasing that tally, bringing yet more silverware to Manchester United.

The Reds boss enjoyed a playing career north of the border that saw him take in spells with Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Glasgow Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United. But it is not for his playing of the game that Sir Alex was to become a success.

Following a spell out of the game he moved into coaching, taking up the role of manager of East Stirlingshire, St Mirren then Aberdeen. It was his time at Pittodrie where he earned his reputation as a top coach. He broke the Glasgow dominance of Scottish football to lead Aberdeen to three Scottish titles, four Scottish cups, one League Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Following the sacking of Ron Atkinson as manager of Manchester United, the Old Trafford hierarchy moved quickly for his services. They got their man on 6 November 1986.

Ferguson inherited a dispirited team of underachievers who had consistently, to their supporters’ discontent, failed to break Liverpool’s domination. Stuck in the bottom four of the Division One table, Ferguson immediately set about attempting to stave off the very real threat of relegation. Without resorting to the transfer market, he guided United up the table to and eleventh place finish.

By now it was clear to Ferguson that he faced a major job in turning the club around. United were an entertaining side but one that seemed unable to cope with the more physical aspects of League football. In his second season the Reds fared better finishing second behind Liverpool, but the position painted a false picture. The turning point came in the 1989/90 season.

Following a run of games in which the Reds were drawn away in every round, United picked up their first silverware of the Ferguson era. Lee Martin scoring the only goal in a final replay against Crystal Palace to in the FA Cup.

This first trophy opened the flood gates. The European Cup Winners’ Cup was won the following season in Rotterdam, Barcelona defeated 2-1 thanks to a brace from Mark Hughes. Then in 1991/02 the League Cup was added to United’s list of honours.

Sadly the title remained elusive. It was the Holy Grail to United fans, the 26 championships free years being exacerbated by Liverpool’s dominance of the domestic and European game.

In 1992/93 the long wait for the League championship came to an end. The Reds, inspired by £1m signing Eric Cantona, pipping Aston Villa in the final weeks of the season.

The shackles were broken: the double followed in 1993/94, the double-Double (with ‘kids’) in 1995/96, and another title in 1997. Finally United were matching off-field might with on-field success. Liverpool’s dominance was well and truly over.

Sir Alex’s greatest achievement came in 1998/99. No side before or since has achieved a treble haul of Premiership title, FA Cup and European Cup. On an unforgettable night in Barcelona his decision to throw on substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer assured history was made. The pair scoring injury-time goals to win the Champions League and complete the treble.

Ferguson was knighted following that success and some suggested he should retire, believing his desire would wane following the realisation of a dream. Not a bit of it. Another title followed in 1999/2000 and he made it three-in-row in 2000/01. His eighth Premiership duly arrived in 2002/03; his fourth FA Cup a year later came against Millwall in Cardiff.

The Reds had by now entered a period of rebuilding. The side of homegrown players he’d first put together in 1995/96 was now breaking up and he’d recruited new stars like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, brought in to spark a new era of success.

Sir Alex believes that the Carling Cup win of 2005/06 – where the Reds beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 - may well provide the catalyst for a new era of success. And whilst Chelsea may well be the dominant force in the transfer market, Sir remains as hungry
as ever for more silverware.

So hungry in fact, that he has put on hold plans for retirement and has set his sights on making Manchester United English football’s - and Europe’s - premier force again.


Nationality: Glasgow, Scotland
Manager From: 06 Nov 1986
Years as Manager: 21
Premier League Title 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
FA Cup 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup 1992, 2006
UEFA Champions League 1999
UEFA Super Cup 1992
UEFA Cup Winners Cup 1991
Inter-Continental Cup 1999
FA Charity / Community Shield 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003
Joint holders 1990

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 : 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 : John O’Shea

When John O’Shea came off the bench for his Premiership debut at Anfield in November 2001, the Kop greeted him with the warm chant of: “Who the ****** hell are you?” They, and the rest of the country, soon knew.

In his first full season, 2002/03, O’Shea was an absolute revelation at left-back: galumphing up and down the wing, effortlessly picking the pockets of opponents who ran at him, cheekily nutmegging those who tried to stop him – most notably Luis Figo – he was one of the star men as United regained the Premiership.

Sadly, as so often happens with young stars in their second season,O’Shea’s gradient levelled off throughout 2003/04. And when United bought Gaby Heinze in the summer of 2004, he had to look to other positions than left-back for regular action.

Thankfully, O’Shea has the tools to play pretty much anywhere. He was always a footballing defender, blessed with beautiful balance, crisp passing and formidable upper-body strength, and that enabled him to slip into midfield as well as anywhere across the back four.

In 2004/05 he played in all those positions, and in the following season he began to establish himself in the holding role in midfield – forming an unlikely but extremely effective partnership with Ryan Giggs that was the basis of United’s late-season surge.

Position: Defender/Midfielder
Appearances: 243
Goals: 11
Joined United:
Transfer Fee: None
Previous Clubs: None
United Debut: 13 Oct 1999 v Aston Villa (A)
International Rep of Ireland

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 : Paul Scholes

You must have a rare and special football talent to impress the great Bobby Charlton. The United legend sums up Paul Scholes perfectly: "He’s always so in control and pinpoint accurate with his passing – a beautiful player to watch."

Part of the new wave of talent that ushered in Beckham, Giggs, Butt and the Neville brothers in the mid-1990s, Salford-born Scholes scored twice on his debut in the League Cup at Port Vale in 1994/95 – and on his first league outing against Ipswich – and hasn't looked back.

A host of golden seasons at Old Trafford include 1995/96’s Double-winning campaign, in which he covered admirably during Eric Cantona’s suspension, finishing second behind the Frenchman in the scoring charts with 14 goals; he was a cornerstone of 1999’s Treble-winners, although suspension ruled him out of the Champions League final, and in United’s most recent Premiership success in 2003, his 20-goal haul was vital. Neat and compact, a misplaced Scholes pass remains one of the rarest sights in football.

His current haul of 14 medals is bettered by only five players in the club’s history and, of those, only Ryan Giggs remains at the club. An eye problem kept the man the fans dubbed the 'Ginger Prince’ out of action for a large part of 2005/06, but the delight with which supporters greeted his return for the final game of the season against Charlton shows how close to their hearts he remains. Now in the top ten highest ever appearance makers and the top 12 highest goalscorers at the club, he is, indisputably, one of the finest talents in United's history.

Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 530
Goals: 137
Joined United: 08 Jul 1991
Transfer Fee: None
Previous Clubs: None
United Debut: 21 Sep 1994 v Port Vale (A)
International England

Staff : First Team : Nemanja Vidic

Nemanja Vidic is an uncompromising obstacle for any striker, a centre-back with the prerequisite qualities needed to make the grade at United.

He began his career with his boyhood club, Red Star Belgrade. Nemanja joined as a 19-year-old in the summer of 2001 and made 22 appearances in his first season. His leadership qualities quickly saw him made captain. After three successful years as skipper - scoring 12 times in 67 matches - he ended his stay with Red Star on a high by leading them to Serbia's domestic league and cup double. He made the switch to Russian outfit Spartak Moscow in August 2004 and soon became a regular starter. Just 39 games and four goals later, United came calling.

The Reds announced his signing from Spartak Moscow on Christmas Day, 2005. He hadn't played for two months as the Russian season had recently ended. It took a while for his true ability to shine through, but after completing an intensive training programme Vidic, or Vida as he is known, began to show his class.

A perfectly-timed tackle on Robin van Persie, starting the move for Wayne Rooney's goal, in the 2-0 win over Arsenal in April 2006 was an indication of what is likely to come from the agile defender. He is considered vital to Serbia & Montenegro's defence, which was dubbed 'the famous four’ during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, in which they conceded just one goal. Unfortunately, suspension and injury curtailed his - and Serbia's - chances of progressing past the group stages in Germany.

Position: Defender
Appearances: 50
Goals: 4
Joined United: 05 Jan 2006
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: Spartak Moscow
United Debut: 25 Jan 2006 v Blackburn (H)
International Serbia

Staff : First team : Ji-sung Park

Ji-sung Park - or "Ji" as he is known to his United team-mates - can play anywhere in midfield. Due to his skilful and energetic performances, he has quickly become a fans' favourite at Old Trafford since moving from PSV Eindhoven in 2005.

Born in Seoul, raised in Suwon just outside South Korea’s capital, Park left school at 18 to join Japanese side Kyoto Purple Sanga. His potential to make the leap from Asia to Europe was spotted by Guus Hiddink, who coached the South Korea during their successful run to the World Cup semi finals in 2002. Later that year, Park followed Hiddink to PSV.

Ji-sung earned widespread recognition in 2005 after scoring against AC Milan in the Champions League semi finals, but he had gradually been building his reputation in Holland. Park played only a fleeting part in PSV’s title success in his first season in Holland. Two years later he had fully adapted to European football and was an integral component of the side that clinched Holland's League and Cup Double.

Alerted to his blossoming talent, Sir Alex had Park scouted on more than 20 occasions before finally signing him for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £4million, on 22 June 2005. Having already proved his ability in Europe,

acclimatising to the Premiership was Park’s initial test. He rose to the challenge, playing all but four of United’s Premiership matches in 2005/06. He scored his first goal for the club with a fine strike in the 3-1 away win over Birmingham in December 2005, and claimed his first medal in the Carling Cup final win in February.

Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 66
Goals: 7
Joined United: 08 Jul 2005
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: PSV Eindhoven
United Debut: 09 Aug 2005 v Debreceni (H)
International Korea Republic