41. Federico Macheda

Federico Macheda became an instant Old Trafford hero when he scored a stunning injury-time winner on his debut against Aston Villa in April 2009.

Aged just 17, the young Italian told MUTV it was "the best day of my life".

But while that goal heralded Macheda's arrival on the biggest stage, his prowess in front of goal has been apparent ever since he arrived at United in September 2007. Indeed, just six days before his Villa winner, the boy they call "Kiko" netted a hat-trick for the Reserves in a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James' Park.

Formerly a member of Lazio's

youth system, Macheda signed professional forms on 22 August 2008. A powerful forward with a natural eye for goal, he was born in Rome and is regarded in Italy as one of the most promising prospects of his generation.

Having relocated to England to further his career, Macheda has quickly moved up the ranks at United. He started out in Paul McGuinness' Under-18s side, but has become a regular in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reserves.

He began the 2008/09 campaign with a fine goalscoring run in the youth team and quickly translated that to Reserve team football.

His strength on the ball, positional sense in the box and clinical finishing haven't gone unnoticed at the very top: Sir Alex Ferguson handed him a Champions League squad number midway through the 2008/09 campaign and then showed stunning judgement to introduce him against Aston Villa just when the Reds needed a goal most.

Just six days later, the Italian's stock grew further as he reprised his match-winner status when it mattered most. Within a minute of entering the fray against Sunderland, with United chasing a winner, Macheda diverted home a crucial winner to further aid the Reds' defence of the Premier League title.

40. Ben Amos

Ben Amos is a talented young goalkeeper who has been capped by England at youth level.

The tall, Macclesfield-born custodian has worked his way through the Old Trafford ranks since the age of 11, and joined the club's Academy in July 2006. He quickly established himself in Paul McGuinness' Under-18s side in the 2006/07 campaign, and made his Reserves debut in November 2007.

Ben's stature within the United ranks was underlined when he made two impressive appearances in the first team's 2008/09 pre-season campaign, and a full debut wasn't long in coming.

Amos turned in a commanding display as United overcame Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup in September 2008. Having convinced United's coaching staff that he has the skill and temperament for first team football, Ben was picked as a late replacement for the injured Ben Foster to travel as part of the successful Club World Cup campaign.

A keen learner, Ben has his sights set on regular first team involvement. "Hopefully I’ll fight it out for a first-team place," he says. "That’s my aim, to play for the club. I wouldn’t be here otherwise."

39. James Chester

James Chester is an agile, tough-tackling central defender from Warrington.

He was first spotted by United scouts playing for his local team, Winwick Athletic. James began playing for the team when he was five, when he played with boys four years older in the Under9s.

By the age of eight, United had taken an interest and invited him down for training sessions at the club. Since then he has risen through the ranks at Old Trafford and graduated from the Academy in 2007.

Chester became an integral part of the Reserves' defence in the latter half of the 2006/07 season

and throughout the following campaign.

James was the Reserves' top appearance maker during the 2007/08 campaign, playing a key role as the Reds ended the season with success in the Manchester Senior Cup final.

Chester took over the captain's armband for the Reserves at the start of the 2008/09 campaign and his consistent displays, combined with injuries to first team regulars, resulted in a call-up to the senior squad for United's League Cup semi-final, second leg with Derby County in January 2009.

With 23 minutes remaining in the clash at Old Trafford and United three goals to the good, Chester entered the fray as a substitute for Gary Neville. Like so many fledglings in the past, the Reserves' skipper didn't look fazed by any means.

Just two weeks later, Chester joined Sir Alex's son Darren for a month-long loan spell with Ferguson Junior's Peterborough side and played a part in three wins out of five.

He is now back at Old Trafford continuing to work towards his ultmate aim of becoming a first team regular.

38. Ron-Robert Zieler

Ron-Robert Zieler began his career with home-town club FC Cologne before joining United in the summer of 2005.

Good in one-on-one situations and an excellent shot-stopper, Zieler began life with United's U18s, playing 18 league games and four FA Youth Cup ties in his first season. His performances soon backed up his potential, earning a reserves call-up. He was an unused substitute in 11 second-string matches that year, including the 2006 final of the Manchester Senior Cup.

The following season Zieler shared U18 duties with Ben Amos, but also made his reserves debut in a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield

United. Four days later he kept a clean sheet in the Manchester Senior Cup against Oldham. In 2007/08 he and Tom Heaton vied for the reserves' no.1 spot.

That summer Ron-Robert started every game in Germany's triumph at the UEFA U19 Championships, playing a key role and continuing his rise through the international ranks.

At the start of the 2008/09 campaign, Zieler was given the no.38 shirt, and was named on the bench in the League Cup against Middlesbrough in September 2008. A loan spell at Northampton Town followed, where he made two appearances before returning to the Reds in February 2009.