20. Fabio

Fabio da Silva is a right-footed, left-sided defender but, like his twin brother Rafael, loves to get forward.

Spotted in 2005 by Les Kershaw, then United's Academy manager, while playing for Fluminense in a Hong Kong youth tournament, it wasn't long before the Reds came knocking.

Fabio has already proved his potential on the youth international stage. He captained and top-scored in the Under-17 World Cup finals in Korea in 2007.

FIFA's official website heaped praise on the teenager after their game against Ghana. "Brazil's calm and intricate build-up play was

impressive to behold as the imperious Fabio pulled the strings."

It's that kind of promise that had Sir Alex waxing lyrical about the Brazilian pair. "It's a typical Brazilian situation," he says. "They just love playing. They're quick and they're determined. I think they're both excellent footballers, I really do."

The United manager's persistence in signing the pair showed just how highly he rated them. "Their old club Fluminense didn'y play them because they were joining us. They came over in January 2008 [before officially signing in July 2008], but it was too late for the work permit application."

When Fabio and Rafael turned 18, it meant United could apply for international clearance, which came through a few days before United faced Peterborough in a pre-season friendly on 4 August 2008.

Having watched from the bench as his brother Rafael delivered an outstanding first-half performance, Fabio came off the bench to produce an equally sharp display, showing energy and enthusiasm, and plenty of ability too.

Fabio's first-team debut came in the Reds' FA Cup fourth round clash against Tottenham Hotspur on 24 January 2009. The left-back

impressed greatly but picked up a calf injury and limped off after 53 minutes.

Further first-team opportunities have been limited (largely due to Patrice Evra's excellent form), but Fabio has consistently produced the goods (and the goals) in the Reserves. In March 2009 he nettted a hat-trick in the Reserves' 4-1 Lancashire Senior Cup win over Rochdale Rovers.

19. Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck, a highly promising forward capable of spectacular goals, was handed a first-team squad number for the 2008/09 season after starring for the Academy and Reserves.

The Manchester-born frontman joined United's youth set-up in summer 2007 and quickly caught the eye with his skilful, strong and pacy displays, which have seen him likened by Sir Alex Ferguson to former Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu.

He bagged nine goals in 14 starts for the Academy in 2007/08 and seven goals in 11 starts for the Reserves, including a superb hat-trick against Manchester City, as the

Reds' second string won both the Manchester and Lancashire Senior Cups.

His performances earned him a call-up to the first-team squad for United's winter trip to Saudi Arabia. Although he missed a last-minute penalty, Welbeck impressed in his 25-minute appearance against Al Hilal.

Welbeck was later named on the substitutes' bench for the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona and was part of the travelling party for the final in Moscow.

An increasing part of Sir Alex's plans, Welbeck rmade a bigger impression on the first team in the 2008/09 campaign.

His debut came in September 2008's Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough, and his first senior goal was a wonderful long-range effort against Stoke at Old Trafford two months later.

He also started the Carling Cup final triumph over Spurs at Wembley in March 2009.

As a schoolboy, Welbeck, capable of playing out wide as well as up front, played a prominent role in the Under-18s’ run to the 2006/07 FA Youth Cup final.

He’s also represented England at youth level, scoring at the

Under-17s World Championships in Korea in summer 2007 before joining the squad for the Under-19s European Championships a year later.

18. Paul Scholes

You must have a rare and special football talent to impress the great Sir 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 UEFA Champions League final, and in United’s Premier League 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 superb eye for goal and late runs from midfield also served his country superbly on 66 occasions.

An eye problem kept the man the fans dubbed the 'Ginger Prince’ out of action for a large part of 2005/06, but he burst back onto the scene during the 2006/07 title-winning campaign, playing a key role in helping the Reds reclaim the Premier League crown. Personal highlights included his opener in the 2-0 win over Liverpool in October 2006 and a volley of the highest calibre in the 3-0 win at Aston Villa two months later, which earned him the Goal of the Season Award at the club's Player Awards ceremony.

His contribution was recognised by players and press alike - he finished third in the PFA Player of the Year category and fourth in the Football Writers' vote - both of which were won by

team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

His good form continued the following season as he helped the Reds to a glorious double and finally buried the UEFA Champions League ghost of '99 when his stunning strike against Barcelona in April 2008, booked United's, and his own place, in the final in Moscow.

Now in the top four highest ever appearance makers, with over 600 games under his belt, and the top twelve highest goalscorers at the club, Scholes is, indisputably, one of the finest talents in United's history, and he's still going strong - in October 2008 he was rewarded with a one-year contract extension, taking him through to June 2010.

17. Nani

Portuguese Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha (or ‘Nani’ as we all know him) is a powerful and pacy winger. He arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 and, predictably, was given the tag of being ‘the next Cristiano Ronaldo’.

It’s perhaps an unfair comparison given the heights Ronaldo has scaled in the last two seasons, but Nani will have taken note of how his countryman worked so hard to hone his raw talents in his early years at Old Trafford, transforming inexperience and inconsistency into maturity and regularly threatening displays.

Nani produces explosive bursts of brilliance, his

goals are spectacular and well worthy of his equally extravagant backflip celebrations. But the challenge now, after a patchy second season in England, is to do it consistently at the top level. Like Ronaldo in his first three seasons at Old Trafford, the good form comes in spells. Nani, who scored four goals in 41 appearances as the Reds clinched the Premier League and Champions League trophies, can play on either flank and showed his speed, skill and scoring potential in his first season at OT.

Old Trafford got its first glimpse of Nani's trademark acrobatic celebration when he scored his first United goal against Tottenham in August 2007, and he followed that with goals against Middlesbrough, Arsenal and – the goal that perhaps most endeared him to Reds fans – a great strike in the 3-0 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in March 2008.

Nani’s move to United was announced in May 2007, the same day Anderson’s arrival from FC Porto was confirmed, though he officially joined United in July 2007 for an undisclosed fee from Sporting Lisbon, after being tracked for some time by Sir Alex Ferguson and his scouting staff. His Sporting debut came at the age of 18, scoring five times in 29 appearances in the Portuguese league in 2006/07. He

found the net on his international debut against Denmark in September 2006, and also featured for Portugal in the Euro 2008 championships in Austria and Switzerland.

Nani overtook his goals tally during his second season with a wonder strike in the 4-2 Carling Cup semi-final second leg clash with Derby. It shows signs of improvement, and Ronaldo has promised Nani will further raise his game. “I really hope he has the same success as me, or even more, because he’s got the ability to do this," said Ronny. "He joined the right club to evolve as a player and as a person.”

16. Michael Carrick

It’s amazing to think Michael Carrick had his detractors at the start of his United career, with some grumblings about his transfer fee - £14m rising to £18.6m with add-ons.

Even after his debut 2006/07 season, in which he carved out a formidable partnership with Paul Scholes as the Reds reclaimed the title, some people predicted he’d slip down the pecking order after the arrival of Owen Hargreaves. But not a bit of it. Carrick has become ever more important to United, maturing into one of English football's most sophisticated and classy passing midfielders.

The first of Carrick's two

league titles with United to date was also the first major honour of his professional career, although he did win the FA Youth Cup with West Ham in 1999, scoring twice in the 9-0 final demolition of Coventry City.

West Ham loaned Carrick out to Swindon in 1999/2000 and then Birmingham in 2000/01 when he earned a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year, eventually won by Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

Carrick spent much of the 2002/03 season sidelined with injury. West Ham were relegated at the end of it but rather than join Joe Cole, Fredi Kanoute and Jermain Defoe in an exodus, Carrick stayed for a season in the Championship. However, after losing the 2004 play-off final to Crystal Palace, Carrick decided he couldn't wait another year for a return to the Premier League and moved across London to join Tottenham in a transfer worth £2.75m.

He blossomed into an accomplished midfielder in two seasons at White Hart Lane. However, he only scored two goals in 64 games and it seemed this low strike-rate would continue at United, at least for the first few months.

Encouraged by Sir Alex Ferguson to push forward, Carrick eventually weighed in with six strikes from midfield

in 2006/07. His first was a well-taken half-volley against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 13 January 2007; his second, at home to Reading in the FA Cup, was shortlisted for the club's Goal of the Season award (won by Scholes away to Villa). His other goals included two in the 7-1 rout of Roma.

Carrick may have only scored three goals in 2007/08 but his all-round contribution to the cause could not be questioned as the Reds were crowned Champions of England and Europe. No wonder then that club and player agreed a new four-year deal in May 2008, to keep Carrick at United until June 2012.

15. Nemanja Vidic

Nemanja Vidic was oustanding during 2007/08, a campaign in which the Serbian's partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the Reds' defence was key to United's double success.

As if to emphasise the fact, Vidic turned in a man-of-the-match performance in the Champions League final, keeping a tight reign on Chelsea dangerman Didier Drogba; the Ivorian hitman only had one meaningful shot on goal during a tense night in Moscow.

Against the "big four" sides, Vidic helped United keep clean sheets against Chelsea and Liverpool on their league visits to Old Trafford, and against Arsenal

in the FA Cup. His fellow professionals recognised his talent, too, naming him in the PFA team of the year for the second successive season.

Tall, athletic and solid as a rock, Vida is uncompromising in the tackle and formidable in the air. He began his career with boyhood club Red Star Belgrade, joining their youth programme at 14. His first-team debut didn't arrive until 2001 but he went on to make 22 appearances in his first season.

He eventually ended his stay with Red Star by leading them to Serbia's domestic league and cup double before switching to Russian outfit Spartak Moscow in August 2004. Just 39 games and four goals later, United came calling.

The Reds announced his signing on Christmas Day, 2005. He hadn’t played for two months as the Russian season had recently ended, so it took time for his true ability to shine. But after completing an intensive training programme, Vida began to show his class.

A collar-bone injury sustained at the end of March 2007 kept Vidic out of the bulk of United's title run-in that season, but his performances until that point had been strong enough to help the Reds to the top of the league. His play also inspired a rousing song among

the matchgoing faithful.

The Serbian’s impressive performances continued and earned him a contract extension in 2007 to keep him at the club until 2012.

He said of the improved deal: “Playing in this team is a great privilege. This is such a great club, I am delighted to be able to extend my stay here. The fans and everyone at the club have been very special to me. I hope I can do my bit to bring the club even more trophies in the years ahead.”

True to his word, he did just that, helping United to the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008 and the Carling Cup in 2009.

And while Vida's game has always been built on solid defending, the 2008/09 campaign has also proved highly profitable at the other end of the pitch. The Serbian began chipping in with regular goals, including an injury-time winner against Sunderland and precious openers against Chelsea and Internazionale.

"I love the feeling when you score," Nemanja says, "especially because it's not one of my main jobs. But I try and take up good positions and go up for corners. If you get lucky it's a great feeling."

14. Zoran Tosic

Described by United's scouting department as “a stylish player consistent with the traditions and legacy of wide players at this club”, 21-year-old Tosic is already a regular in Serbia’s national team.

A winger who hugs the touchline and takes defenders on, he possesses silky dribbling skills and a strong left-foot shot. Renowned for his mastery in dead-ball situations, Tosic is a real threat from set-pieces, whether firing goalwards or delivering pin-point crosses.

United scouts were watching the winger for over a year before he joined the Reds and in that time his progress took giant strides.

He appeared (and scored) for Partizan Belgrade in a Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce in August 2008, not long after he returned from Serbia’s involvement at the Beijing Olympics.

He also has UEFA Cup experience and is expected to play a big part in Serbia’s quest for 2010 World Cup qualification.

United reached agreement to sign Tosic and his Partizan team-mate Adem Ljajic in January 2009, with Tosic joining immediately and Ljajic staying at Partizan until January 2010.

Tosic made his first-team debut as a substitute in the FA Cup win over Tottenham later that month, and also appeared off the bench at West Brom three days later.

A United fan since childhood, Tosic grew up with posters of his heroes plastered on his bedroom walls in Zrenjanin. No doubt Ryan Giggs was one of those figures and, who knows, it could be Tosic who is charged with filling the Welshman’s boots when Giggs eventually retires.

13. Ji-sung Park

Ji-sung Park has become an increasingly important member of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad since joining the club in the summer of 2005 and he was something of a lucky charm for the Reds during the 2007/08 double-winning campaign.

In the 14 games he started in all competitions, United were unbeaten and conceded only two goals. After missing the first half of the season whilst he recovered from the cartilage problems which cut short his first title-winning campaign in 2006/07, Park returned to action in the Boxing Day win at Sunderland. He netted his first, and only, goal of the season at Craven Cottage in March 2008, powerfully

heading home United's second goal in a 3-0 victory. But it was his battling display in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, second leg against Barcelona which really caught the eye. He ran nearly 12km on the night and never stopped grafting for 90 minutes. It was a typical energy-filled performance from the South Korean who has become something of a cult hero since his arrival from PSV.

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 earned widespread recognition in 2005 after scoring against Milan in the UEFA 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 watched more than 20 times

before finally signing him for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £4million, in June 2005. Having already proved his ability in Europe, acclimatising to the Premier League 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 League Cup final win in February.

He added two Premier League winners' medals in 2007 and 2008 and, although he was left out of Sir Alex's 18-man squad for the UEFA Champions League final, he played his part in helping the Reds secure European glory with fine displays against Roma and Barcelona.

Following minor knee surgery in the summer of 2008, the Korean made a goalscoring return to Premier League action when he fired United ahead in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in September 2008. It was an important moment for Park having missed out on the chance to play the Blues in Moscow.

Park was part of the Reds' Club World Cup-winning side and was an unused substitute in United's League Cup final victory over Tottenham at Wembley. Increasingly kept fresh for the big games, the energetic

Korean is likely to play a major part in United's quest for silverware between now and the end of the 2008/09 season.

12. Ben Foster

It took Ben Foster almost three years to make his competitive United debut; signed in July 2005 and touted as Edwin van der Sar’s chief understudy, he was outstanding in a 1-0 win over Derby County on 15 March 2008.

Foster was snatched from relative obscurity at Stoke City and arrived at Old Trafford after catching Sir Alex Ferguson's eye while on loan at Wrexham. The young shot-stopper was eventually prised from the Potters, without ever playing for the first team, for an undisclosed fee. He's never stayed in one place long, however, with five loan spells in three years at the Britannia, and that continued after his move

to Manchester.

After just one-and-a-half pre-season friendlies with the Reserves in summer 2005, he was farmed out to Watford on a season-long loan. Tipped for relegation, the Hornets had a stunning campaign thanks in no small part to Foster. Aidy Boothroyd's men won Premier League promotion after a 3-0 Championship Play-off final win over Leeds.

Foster was subsequently named on the standby list for England's 2006 World Cup squad, cementing his credentials as a potential future no.1 for club and country. Although his presence wasn't required in Germany, his international bow wasn't long in coming as a superb second loan season at Watford earned him a start – ironically at Old Trafford – in England's friendly with Spain in February 2007. Steve McClaren's side lost 1-0, but Foster's noteworthy display was in keeping with his fine form throughout 2006/07 at Vicarage Road. He couldn't prevent Watford’s relegation, but their fate would have been sealed much soon had it not been for his heroics.

Ben then returned to Old Trafford with the intention of pushing van der Sar for his place in the United team, but disaster struck when he was forced to undergo cruciate knee ligament surgery, ruling him out for almost a

year. His return at Derby confirmed his potential. Edwin’s excellence in the twilight of his career has restricted Ben’s first-team involvement, but he never lets United down when called upon.

That was in evidence for Ben's first trophy at United, which arrived in March 2009 when his penalty shoot-out heroics helped the Reds to victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. Patience continues to be a virtue for Foster, but you can be sure that when the Dutch master van der Sar takes off his gloves for the last time, Ben has proved he is well-placed to challenge for the no.1 jersey at Old Trafford.

11. Ryan Giggs

The only surprise about Ryan Giggs being named PFA Player's Player of the Year in April 2009 was that it had taken so long for him to win the prestigious award.

After all, he'd previously received countless other individual gongs - including the PFA Young Player award twice in his early career - not to mention more team honours than any other United player in the club's illustrious history.

Ryan is also the Reds' record appearance-maker; he surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's 758 on the night he helped the Reds secure a third European Cup triumph - his second - in Moscow on 21 May 2008.


United's most decorated player might never have graced Old Trafford, however, had it not been for Sir Alex Ferguson’s intervention. Cardiff-born Giggs was attending Manchester City's School of Excellence in his early teens, but Sir Alex made a personal visit to his house on his 14th birthday and Ryan jumped at the chance to sign for his boyhood favourites.

Ryan turned professional at United in November 1990 and made his league debut in the old Division One against Everton at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991 as a substitute for Denis Irwin. His first league start in 1991/92 also proved a memorable occasion, as he also scored his first ever United goal that day (albeit via a huge deflection off Colin Hendry) in a 1-0 win over Manchester City.

Giggs' first senior trophy arrived in November 1991 as United beat Red Star Belgrade in the European Super Cup final - Ryan came on for Lee Martin. He picked up his second winners' medal five months later as the Reds beat Nottingham Forest in the League Cup final. The following season, 1992/93, saw Giggs and United win the inaugural Premier League title.

Ryan was an integral part of two Double-winning sides, in 1993/94 and 1995/96, before going one better in 1998/99

by adding the European Cup to the FA Cup and Premier League trophy. His contributions to the Treble-winning campaign included a superb solo goal to win the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal at Villa Park, commonly regarded as one of United's greatest ever goals.

Ryan celebrated 10 years at Old Trafford with a testimonial match against Celtic in 2001/02. A year later he bagged his 100th career goal in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and became only the second-ever player to play 700 games for United when he helped the Reds to a dramatic 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in March 2007. Two months later, he became a league title winner for the ninth time, beating the record of eight championship medals held by Liverpool legends Phil Neal and Alan Hansen.

In the interests of prolonging his club career at the highest level, Ryan retired from international football with Wales in June 2007 after 64 games and 12 goals. In October 2007, he extended his United contract to June 2009.

December 2007 brought two landmark feats - Ryan was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to football and he scored his 100th league career goal in the 4-0 home win over Derby County.


Ryan crowned the epic 2007/08 season, his 18th in United's first team, by scoring the Reds' second goal in the last-day league win at Wigan and slotting home what proved to be the decisive penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out.

Giggs' career continued with a flourish during 2008/09 when he adopted a more central position in midfield or just off the main striker. He extended his contract by another year in February 2009, effective to the end of 2009/10. In that same month he became the only player to score in every Premier League season when he netted in United's 1-0 win at West Ham.