Manchester United Reds

Updated: 08/08/2008

Ryan "Speedy" Giggs

Birthplace: Cardiff  29/11/1973- Position: Midfield - Squad Number: 11 - Debut:  March 1991 - International Caps: 51 Goals: 8

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Ryan Giggs 


 

 

Paul "Gentleman" Scholes

Birthplace: Manchester 16/11/74 - Position: Forward - Squad No: 18 - Debut: September 1994 - International Caps: 59 - Goals: 13

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Paul Scholes 

 

 
 

Cristiano "Magician" Ronaldo
Birthplace:  Madeira, Portugal 05/02/85 - Position: Winger - International caps: 33 - Goals: 12
Cristiano Ronaldo burst onto the Old Trafford scene with a memorable debut against Bolton Wanderers in August 2003. The Portuguese international had earlier signed for United in a deal worth £12.24million.
Madeira-born Ronaldo began his career at Nacional before moving to fellow Super Liga team Sporting; his first match for the Portuguese giants came at the tender age of seventeen in September 2002. He went on to make 25 appearances during the 2002/03 season, scoring three goals; but more significantly he caught the eye of the United scouts who had been closely monitoring his progress. And after watching him cap a dazzling display with a goal during United's pre-season friendly with Sporting, Sir Alex Ferguson decided to make his move.
"After we played Sporting the lads in the dressing room talked about Ronaldo constantly," revealed the Boss. "And on the plane back from the game they urged me to sign him - that's how highly they rated him.”
Following his impressive debut for the Reds, Ronaldo chalked up a further 39 appearances during the 2003/04 campaign, scoring eight goals including the opener in United's FA Cup final victory over Millwall. He was also named the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year at the end of his first season. Ronaldo - a former Portuguese junior international – has enjoyed similar success at international level and was one of the major successes of Euro 2004 despite finding himself on the losing side in the final as Greece snatched a dramatic victory from the grasp of the home nation. The 2004/05 season saw the Reds winger continue with his progress in acclimatising to the rigures of the English game and many pundits remarked on his growing maturity. Despite ending the campaign trophy-less, Ronaldo’s silky dribbling skills and pace provided the Old Trafford faithful with numerous moments of excitement throughout the season. Ronny was castigated for his part in Rooney's sending off in England's  World Cup (2006) Q/F against Portugal but he has since overcome the abuse and starred in United's start to the new season. In the 2006/07 Ronny has been a revelation in United's surge to the top of the league and has scored 16 goals so far. He is now considered to be the best player in the world and has matured into a potent force.
 

Michael "Silencer" Carrick

Birthplace: North Shields, England 28/07/81 - Position: Midfield
Michael Carrick is a classy and composed midfielder, equally at home on the ball as he is trying to win it back or break up attacks. Carrick began his career with Wallsend Boys Club – the same club that produced Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley – before beginning his professional career at West Ham’s prestigious youth academy in 1998. Alongside Joe Cole, Carrick played a starring role in the 9-0 demolition of Coventry City in the 1999 FA Youth Cup final, contributing two goals of his own. In the 1999/2000 campaign Carrick was loaned out to Swindon Town. The following season saw him loaned out again, this time to Birmingham City. His exploits for the Blues during 2000/01 earned him a PFA Young Player of the Season nomination, although he eventually lost out to Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard. Carrick spent much of 2002/03 sidelined with injury before West Ham were relegated at the end of the season. Rather than join the exodus that accounted for team-mates Joe Cole, Fredi Kanoute and Jermain Defoe, Carrick stayed with West Ham during their first season back in Division One, where they narrowly missed out on a return to the Premiership in the play off final. But, seeking to resurrect his Premiership career, Carrick moved to Tottenham in 2004 for £2.75m. Since then Carrick has blossomed. His range of passing and vision make him a valuable addition to any midfield. Under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson and the United first team staff, his talents can mature further still. Having accumulated 14 caps for the England Under21 squad, Carrick received his first senior England cap in 2001. Aged 19, he was a half-time substitute in the 4-0 win over Mexico at Derby County’s Pride Park stadium. He was a part of England’s 2006 World Cup squad and showed he could perform on the highest stage with a composed display in the win over Ecuador, where he was assigned the holding role. At United he has taken over Roy Keane’s No.16 shirt. He is of a different stock to the talismanic former Reds skipper. But his guile, passing range and ability to retain possession will make him an asset to Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield. Michael has proved to be a steady influence in midfield allowing Ronaldo, Scholes and Giggs to get forward more often.
 
Owen "Bulldog" Hargreaves

Birthplace: Calgary, Canada - Position: Midfield
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.
 
Anderson " The Brazillian" Luis de Abreu Oliveira
 Birthplace: Porto Allegra, Brazil  - Position: Midfield - Apps : 40 - Goals:  

Dubbed the new Ronaldinho, Brazilian wonder kid Anderson completed his move to Old Trafford in July 2007. There is a striking resemblance between Anderson and international superstar Ronaldinho, not only in terms of looks. Like Barcelona's attacking wizard, Anderson is incredibly skilful and his array of talent will surely dazzle the Premiership. Both Anderson and Ronaldinho started their careers at Gremio in Brazil. Anderson (or Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira to give his full name) joined the Porto Alegre club at the age of just five. He made his first appearance for Gremio in 2004, aged just 16 but with his club side in the Brazilian second tier it was internationally where Anderson made his name. He shone with Brazil at the 2005 South American U-17 Championship and 2005 U-17 World Cup, winning the Adidas Golden Ball for most valuable player. An Anderson wonder goal for Gremio against Nautico in November 2005 earned a 1-0 win and promotion back to the top flight. That goal and his impressive showing for Brazil's young side persuaded FC Porto to sign Anderson in January 2006. He continued his promising displays at Porto. He won many honours including the Portuguese Championship in 2005/06 and 2006/07, although his progress was hampered by a broken leg causing him to miss much of last season. Sir Alex Ferguson and his right hand man Carlos Queiroz were clearly impressed and fought off interest from Barcelona to get their man. Anderson will battle with fellow new signing Nani, Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs for a place in the starting line-up. His favourite position is wide left but he has also featured in central midfield. On the international front, Anderson earned his first call up to the Brazilian senior squad in the summer of 2007 and featured in the team’s Copa America campaign. Anderson has already earned many plaudits, none more so than from Mario Zagallo, the World Cup-winning player and manager. "Everything suggests he is going to be a superstar, a prodigy, as he has undisputable quality," he said. If Anderson lives up to the expectations, Premiership and European defenders will be having many sleepless nights working out ways to deal with his trickery. Anderson was an unused sub in Brazil's Copa America win over Argentina 3-0 15/07/07. He played more games than expected due to injuries and was a vital part of the squad who won the double of League title and Champions League Cup in May 2008 in Moscow.

 
Nani "Trickster"- Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha

Birthplace: Portugal  - Position: Winger
Highly rated Portuguese winger Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha ("Nani") will aim to emulate the achievements of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo when he starts his Old Trafford career in earnest. Nani 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. After making his Sporting Lisbon debut at the age of 18, Nani featured 29 times in the league for Sporting in 2006-07, scoring five times. During his time at Sporting he also featured in the Champions League before winning the 2007 Portuguese Cup. He played for Portugal during the European Under 21 Championship in Holland during the 2007 close season. The Cape Verde Islands born player also earned five caps for the senior side prior to his move to United, scoring on his debut against Denmark in September 2006. Primarily a left sided player, Nani can also play in numerous other attacking positions. There are obvious similarities between Ronaldo and Nani. And Nani is tipped to match the standards of 2006-07's PFA Player of the Year. "He (Nani) is an amazing player, he's an amazing kid as well, he works very hard and has got a big heart," said Portuguese Under 21 team mate Ricardo Vaz Te. "He got a gift from god which is his talent obviously." Portugal assistant coach Paulo Sousa is another who is backing Nani to be successful in England. "Nani is very explosive and very strong. He's fast and is going to be a great signing for United," he said. "I think that in the next five or 10 years, he and Cristiano Ronaldo can become the best players in the world." Nani's move to Old Trafford undoubtedly had something to do with assistant boss Carlos Queiroz. Quieroz is credited with helping Ronaldo settle and improve his game, and he is expected to help out Nani too. Ronaldo has also promised to help Nani. “I really hope he has the same success as me, or even more, because he’s got the ability to do this," he said. "He’s joining the right club to evolve as a player and as a person.” Nani is also famed in Portugal for a trademark goal celebration. His back flips graced the pages of the Portuguese tabloids while at Sporting, and United fans will be looking forward to seeing such celebrations many times during the coming seasons.
 

Ji-Sung "Manic" Park

Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea 25/02/81 - Position: Midfielder - Squad No: 13 - International Caps: 55 - Goals: 5
The 24-year-old South Korea international has spent the last two years with PSV and helped the Dutch side reach the semi-finals of this season's Champions League and clinch the domestic league and Cup Double. Previously he played 3 seasons with Kyoto Purple Sanga in Japan helping them to their best ever season in 2002. He is also an influential player in the S. Korean team and played a big part in them reaching the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup.  His first few games for United have been very promising. He scored his first goal in the Carling Cup match against Birmingham which United won 3-1 on . Even though Ji-Sung has been on the periphery of the first team he has improved and played a vital part in United's surge towards another league title in 2006/2007.  His 2 well taken goals in the home win over Bolton enabled United to stay 6 points ahead of Chelsea with 8 games to go. Ji Sung suffered a knee injury and will be out for a while.
 

Darren "Dunc" Fletcher

Birthplace: Edinburgh 01/02/84 - Position: Midfield - Squad Number: 24 - Debut: March 2003 - International Caps: 7 - Goals: 1
Darren joined United as a trainee in July 2000 and turned professional in February 2001.
The Scottish midfielder made his Manchester United first team debut against FC Basel in the Champions League on 12 March 2003, and made his second appearance for the Reds two weeks later, again in Europe, against Deportivo La Coruna. Fletcher was an integral part of United's 2003 Summer tour of the USA. The Edinburgh-born midfielder came on as a substitute against Celtic, Club Americas and Juventus - the latter of which he partnered Roy Keane in the centre of United's midfield. And in the Reds' final game of their USA Tour, Sir Alex Ferguson handed Fletch a starting place against Barcelona. A creative central midfield player, Fletcher has represented Scotland at Youth and Under-21 level, before finally earning his first full Scottish cap against Norway in Oslo on 20 August 2003. He came off the bench in the second half to make his much-awaited full international debut. Darren played in 20 odd games in 02/03 and has established himself in the senior squad for the 04/05 season. Darren has proved to be an adequate squad member and has scored the odd vital goal to win matches, especially in 2006/07.