7. Cristiano Ronaldo

keys: manchester united | Cristiano Ronaldo | Winger | Cristiano Ronaldo profile | Cristiano Ronaldo photos pictures Cristiano Ronaldo wallpapers

Birthdate:	05 Feb 1985
Birthplace:	Madeira
Position:	Winger
Appearances:	208
Joined United:	12 Aug 2003
United Debut:	16 Aug 2003 v Bolton (H)
International	Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo has just about exhausted all superlatives, except to say that having developed and matured from a young and inexperienced winger when he joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, he's now among the best and most dynamic attacking forces in the world.

Signed as a largely unknown 18-year-old for £12.24m, the story goes that Sir Alex was persuaded to sign him by his players on the plane home from a pre-season friendly against Sporting that summer. In truth, the boss had long been aware of his ability. The urgency to sign him stemmed from interest from other top European clubs. This was a target Sir Alex simply

couldn’t let slip through the net.

Ronaldo wasted little time in showing off his sublime skills with a stunning 30-minute debut against Bolton at Old Trafford in August 2003. After 39 appearances and eight goals – including the opener in the FA Cup final win over Millwall – he was named the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for 2003/04. His second season never quite lived up to his first. But some late season form saw him end the 2004/05 campaign with nine goals in 50 appearances. In 2005/06 Ronny again reserved his best form for the latter half of the season, a clear sign that, despite his undoubted talent, this was a player still honing his talent.
Then came the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, a truly defining moment. In the quarter finals against England, Cristiano was blamed for Wayne Rooney’s sending off, the scapegoat for England’s exit. Some wondered if he would even return to Manchester. But Sir Alex’s calming words assured him. After all, it’d happened before with Eric Cantona in 1995 and David Beckham in 1998. The best players respond to adversity, and he did just that.

United’s title success was undoubtedly a team effort, but one player was central to almost every major plotline. It began with the barnstorming

5-1 win over Fulham – Ronaldo and Rooney running the show and very publicly rubbishing claims the two were at odds. Dazzling wing-play was backed with regular assists and crucial goals, including seven in five games over Christmas and then a last-gasp winner against Fulham in February.

His form brought renewed interest from Spain, but United’s No.7 signed a new five-year deal until 2012 insisting, “I’m happy here.” In 2006/07 he claimed 14 individual awards and, most crucially, his first Premiership medal. The soundtrack to Cristiano’s campaign may have begun with a chorus of boos, but it ended with cacophonous applause.

reference: http://www.manutd.com

6. Wes Brown

keys: manchester united | Wes Brown | Wes Brown | Wes Brown profile | Wes Brown photos pictures wallpapers

Birthdate:	13 Oct 1979
Birthplace:	Manchester
Position:	Defender
Appearances:	273
Joined United:	08 Jul 1996
United Debut:	04 May 1998 v Leeds United (H)
International	England

After a career so blighted by injury, it’s amazing that Wes Brown has managed to develop into such an outstanding defender.

Two cases of damaged knee ligaments and a broken ankle have hampered the defender to the extent that he only passed the 200-appearance mark in January 2006, eight years after making his debut. However, the sporadic nature of his first-team outings have not masked his class. Tough-tackling, strong in the air and fast on the deck, Wes is exceptionally talented.

A local lad, born in Longsight, Brown signed as a trainee in July 1996, putting pen to paper on professional forms

four months later. In his first full season he picked up the Denzil Haroun Young Player of the Year award. His promise earned a senior debut against Leeds United on 4 May 1998, and a first start against Barnsley a week later.

His performances in 1998/99 caught the eye, but knee-ligament injuries ahead of the 1999/00 season and at the end of the 2002/03 campaign were bookends to a broken ankle in August 2002. Many players might have been demoralised by such wretched luck, but Brown’s grit saw him return in September 2003 and complete the rest of the 2003/04 season. In 2005/06 he finally became a linchpin in the centre of defence; his no-nonsense style perfectly complimenting Rio Ferdinand’s more languid approach, and providing a solid platform for United's backline. Brown's form looked set to catapult him back onto the international scene for the World Cup in Germany, but despite his fine form though, Wes was omitted from England’s squad.

The 2006/07 campaign – with Nemanja Vidic imperious alongside Ferdinand at the heart of the Reds’ rearguard – meant opportunities were limited in Wes’ preferred central position, but as ever, he has not rocked the boat, taking his chances and taking them well when they have arisen. An England recall duly

came for the 5-0 win over Andorra in September.

As the season came to a climax, Wes passed the 250-appearance mark in all competitions and claimed his fourth Premiership winners' medal. His Reds' contract runs until 2008 and he’s in no rush to look elsewhere. "I would love to see out my career with United," he told United Review in February. "I’m a Manchester lad and Old Trafford is still the only place for me." That’s good news for fans of the man Sir Alex called the "most naturally gifted defender in England."

reference: http://www.manutd.com

5. Rio Ferdinand

keys: manchester united | Rio Ferdinand | Defender | Rio Ferdinand profile | Rio Ferdinand photos pictures wallpapers

Birthdate:	07 Nov 1978
Birthplace:	Peckham
Position:	Defender
Appearances:	237
Joined United:	22 Jul 2002
United Debut:	27 Aug 2003 v Zalaegerszeg (H)
International	England

Armed with elegance, pace and an incredible reading of the game, Rio Ferdinand is undoubtedly one of the finest defenders in world football.

The Peckham-born star burst onto the Premiership scene with West Ham United under the guidance of Harry Redknapp before being snapped up by Leeds United for £18million in November 2000.

The 2002 World Cup provided Rio with the stage to make the transformation from budding talent to accomplished defender, and his performances in Japan convinced Sir Alex Ferguson to part with a massive £30million.

Although

initially hampered by injury and loss of form, Rio found his feet towards the end of his first season, as United came back from the dead to overtake Arsenal and win their fifteenth League title.

In September 2003 disaster struck. The defender missed a routine drugs test and, despite appealing, was banned from football for 8 months in January 2004.

Since returning from his suspension, Rio has consistently justified his tag as a world-class defender. He also rediscovered his goal touch, most dramatically with an injury-time winner against Liverpool in January 2006.
Although an increasingly potent threat from set-pieces, Rio’s main asset remains his leadership in defence – a skill that has made him a solid foundation for both United and England.

reference: http://www.manutd.com

4. Owen Hargreaves

Keys: manchester united | Owen Hargreaves | Midfielder | Owen Hargreaves profile | Owen Hargreaves photos pictures wallpapers

Birthdate:	20 Jan 1981
Birthplace:	Calgary, Canada
Position:	Midfielder
Appearances:	10
Joined United:	01 Jul 2007
United Debut:	19 Aug 2007 v Man. City (A)
International	England

In his own words, it was “possibly the longest-running transfer saga” in football. But after a several months of prolonged pursuit, United finally signed Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich in May 2007.

The Canadian-born, England international midfielder’s stock has risen dramatically in the past year. During the World Cup, one newspaper reported that he was “a shock £7million target” for Sir Alex. His eventual fee was closer to £17million when the transfer finally went through, and Hargreaves had become one of European football’s most highly-thought of defensive midfielders.

Born and raised in

Calgary, Canada, where his parents moved from England in the early eighties, Owen left for Germany aged 16 to join Bayern Munich.

After earning his stripes in their youth ranks, a 19-year-old Hargreaves made the step up to first-team football in August 2000 in what was a highly successful season as Bayern claimed the Bundesliga title and Champions League crown. In the semi final against Real Madrid Hargreaves showed he could hold his own against Madrid's "galacticos", and remains one of only two English players to win the European Cup with a non-English club - the other being Steve McManaman.
The following season saw Hargreaves establish himself as a regular and key member of Bayern's first-team and witnessed his breakthrough at international level. Hargreaves was eligible for any one of the home nations, as well as Canada, and, had he delayed his decision, Germany under residency rules. He plumped for England, and after several impressive Under-21 displays, he was called into the senior squad in 2001.

Initially a squad player, it took until the 2006 World Cup in Germany for Hargreaves to truly be seen as a key man. In fact, he was booed in their opening match of the tournament, but went on to be named Man of

the Match in the quarter final defeat to Portugal and was voted England Player of the Year in January 2007.

Not only will Hargreaves add another dimension to United’s midfield with his determined, energetic and enthusiastic style, the 26-year-old also has vast experience. A Champions League winner in 2001 and four-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern, Hargreaves has also experienced two World Cups and a European Championships with England. Partnering Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick – or indeed both – gives a well-balanced feel to United’s engine room.

reference: http://www.manutd.com

3. Patrice Evra

Keys: manchester united | Patrice Evra | Defender | Patrice Evra profile | Patrice Evra photos pictures wallpapers

Birthdate:	15 May 1981
Birthplace:	Dakar, Senegal
Position:	Defender
Appearances:	70
Joined United:	10 Jan 2006
United Debut:	14 Jan 2006 v Manchester City (A)
International	France

United beat off fierce competition from Liverpool, Arsenal and Inter Milan to secure the services of French full-back Patrice Evra on 10 January 2006.

The defender's arrival, just days after Nemanja Vidic’s capture, signalled Sir Alex Ferguson's intention to shore up his defence, which had suffered in the long-term absence of Gabriel Heinze.

Although only 24 when he joined the Reds, Evra had already been capped five times for France. He had been club captain at Monaco, where he established himself as a quick, committed, attack-minded player, also capable of playing at left-midfield.


Evra started his career in Italy after a scout from Masala spotted him in Les Ulis, the same tough suburb of Paris where Thierry Henry grew up. After one season in Serie C1, he moved up to Serie B by joining Monza. In 2000, Nice brought him home to France and converted him from left-winger to left-back. After two seasons he was snapped up by Monaco.

He again had little trouble adjusting to the bigger stage; he was a French League Cup winner in 2003. He then helped Monaco to the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final before losing 3-0 to Porto.

Patrice cites his first manager at Monaco, Didier Deschamps, as a big influence on his career, saying he “transmitted to me the bug of winning at any price.”

After a mixed start to life at United, having joined midway through a difficult season, Patrice showed his best form throughout the 2006/07 season as the Reds recovered the Premiership title.

The French defender's extra gym time paid off as he came to terms with the physical demands of playing in England, and he notched his first Premiership and Champions League goals against Everton and Roma respectively.

Evra's superb form was

tempered by niggling injuries, but his part in United's successful season was recognised by a slot in the 2006/07 PFA Team of the Season, as voted by his Premiership peers.

references: http://www.manutd.com

2. Gary Neville

Keys: manchester united | Gary Neville | Defender | Gary Neville profile | Gary Neville photos pictures wallpapers

Birthdate:	18 Feb 1975
Birthplace:	Bury
Position:	Defender
Appearances:	540
Joined United:	08 Jul 1991
United Debut:	16 Sep 1992 v (H) Torpedo Moscow
International	England

Gary Neville belongs to an elite group of players who have skippered the Reds to the Premiership title.

Following on from Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona and Roy Keane, Neville realised a lifelong dream as he became the fifth United captain to lift the Premiership trophy following the Reds' record ninth triumph at the end of the 2006/07 campaign.

The only real disappointment to be taken from United’s thrilling title charge was the fact that the Reds' were missing their inspirational captain for the final stages of the campaign. Neville suffered ankle ligament damage just 11 minutes into

the visit of Bolton to Old Trafford on 17 March 2007, an appearance that was to be his last of the season. But if he wasn’t able to influence matters on the pitch, you can be sure his presence was felt in the dressing rooms and from the stands. No-one, but no-one, wants United to win more than Gary Neville.

The defender, who has made over 500 appearances in a United shirt, was handed the armband during the 2005/06 season following Roy Keane’s departure. Being one of United’s most consistent and committed performers since establishing himself in the side in 1994/95, Neville was a natural choice. He enters every game refusing to contemplate defeat. The fans love him for it. His heart on his sleeve approach doesn't endear him to everyone, however – notably the football authorities. His badge-clenching celebration following Rio Ferdinand’s last-minute winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford in January 2006 saw him charged with improper conduct by the FA and fined £5000.

“Are you meant to smile sweetly and jog back to the halfway line?” he said. "People want footballers to be whiter than white. Do they want a game of robots?"

There was no such censure for Gary’s next high-profile

celebration – at the 2006 Carling Cup Final. He lifted his first trophy as captain and collected the one domestic medal that had eluded him in his career. The Reds had not won the competition since April 1992, when Gary was in the famous youth team that also spawned David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Vocal and determined, he gives his all in every game, demanding the same from his team-mates. No excuses.

references: http://www.manutd.com

1. Edwin Van der Sar

keys: manchester united | Edwin Van der Sar | Goalkeeper | Edwin Van der Sar profile | Edwin Van der Sar photos pictures wallpapers

Birthdate:	29 Oct 1970
Birthplace:	Voorhout, Holland
Position:	Goalkeeper
Appearances:	117
Goals:	0
Joined United:	01 Jun 2005
United Debut:	09 Aug 2005 v Debreceni VSC (H)
International	Holland

The No.1 slot at United has had its fair share of pretenders since Peter Schmeichel vacated his throne in 1999, but the willowy Dutchman has easily come closest to filling the great Dane’s sizeable gloves.

Although the two differ in style – Schmeichel was, of course, famed for furiously bellowing at his back four as well as his brilliant saves - Edwin’s experience and calm assurance has undoubtedly been a key component in regaining the Premiership crown from Chelsea in his second season at the club.

Twelve clean sheets in the league in what became, towards the end of the season, an ever-changing

back four, is an impressive feat. It saw him make the 2007 Premiership Team of the Year, as voted for by his fellow professionals. Most notably among them was Chelsea stopper Petr Cech, who expressed deep admiration for the former Ajax and Fulham keeper’s performances in 2006/07.

His late penalty save from Darius Vassell against Manchester City at Eastlands was a defining moment, a veritable title-clinching stop.

Signed for an undisclosed signing from Fulham in the summer of 2005, van der Sar has brought all the wisdom and know-how between the sticks that you would expect to find from a goalkeeper that is his nation’s most-capped player and a former UEFA Cup and Champions League winner with his former club Ajax in the earlier nineties.

A UEFA Cup and Champions League winner with the Dutch club 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.

Edwin’s move to Manchester was given the thumbs up by Schmeichel and in his first season at OT he started all but five of United’s 56 games, keeping an impressive 24 clean sheets, including five on the spin from his debut.

Van der Sar’s solid presence, agility and reliability have been a major plus to United this term, while his quick and inventive distribution aid the team’s speedy attacking style. Age may not be on his side, but experience counts, and he will be hoping to add to his Carling Cup and Premiership winners’ medals.

reference: http://www.manutd.com