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Manchester United 2006-07 Squad:
Goalkeepers
GK Edwin van der Sar, 35, Holland, 113 caps: 1 season, 38 games
The Dutch international is the clear starter, an experienced veteran and a model professional.
GK Tomasz Kuszczak, 24, Poland, 4 caps: No appearances
The keeper is a top prospect, resolute, with tremendous reflexes. He is in on loan from West Brom, but joins the club full-time in 2007.
GK Ben Foster, 23, England, uncapped: No appearances
Another prospect for the future, Foster is balanced and stable, with potential. He is on loan at fellow Premiership side Watford for the second straight season.
GK Tim Howard, 27, U.S.A., 16 caps: 3 seasons, 45 games
Had a disappointing three seasons at Old Trafford, failing to establish himself in the side. He is on loan to Everton, and joining the Toffees full-time in 2007.
Left Backs
DLC Mikaël Silvestre, 29, France, 40 caps, 2 goals: 7 seasons, 232 games, 5 goals
A seven-year starter at left back, with tremendous pace. He sometimes tries to play his way out of trouble, which I'm not fond of, but he makes up for it with some scintillating long range passes.
DL Patrice Evra, 25, France, 5 caps, 0 goals: 1 season, 11 games, 0 goals
Very quick, loves to get forward when possible, playing one-twos with his left wing.
DLC Gabriel Heinze, 28, Argentina, 33 caps, 1 goal: 2 seasons, 30 games, 1 goal
Missed most of last season with a severe knee injury, but hopes to re-establish himself this year. Sir Alex considers him one of the leaders of the team. He's extremely aggressive, and dives into tackles with abandon.
Centre backs
DC Rio Ferdinand, 27, England, 52 caps, 1 goal: 4 seasons, 156 games, 3 goals
The first name on the teamsheet in defense, a commanding centre-back with explosive pace. He, too, tries to play his way out of trouble, and he has something of an easily-bruised personality, but when he's properly motivated, he's utterly brilliant.
DRC Wes Brown, 26, England, 9 caps, 0 goals: 8 seasons, 140 games, 1 goal
This long-time member of the team is determined, strong, and marks his opponents tightly.
DC Nemanja Vidic, 24, Serbia, 20 caps, 1 goal: 1 seaons, 11 games, 0 goals
Though not quite as talented as some of the others, this determined young player cost £7M last season, and impressed me in the Reserves, which ensures that he'll see some chances with the senior side. He stays back at all times, and likes to wind up opponents with his tight marking.
DC Gerard Piqué, 19, Spain, uncapped: 1 season, 3 games, 0 goals
In the classic "strong, slow centre-back" mould, this hot prospect is on a season-long loan to Zaragoza. He plays long range passes, and has a habit of trying to play his way out of trouble.
DC Jonathan Evans, 18, Northern Ireland, uncapped: No appearances
Another hot prospect, out on loan to Sunderland.
Right backs
DRC Gary Neville, 31, England, 81 caps, 0 goals: 13 seasons, 340 games, 5 goals
A life-long Red Devil, the captain and true leader of the side. The Old Trafford faithful love him, and he in turn loves to gets the crowd going, either waving them on, or just bringing them to life with crunching tackles.
DRLC John O'Shea, 25, Ireland, 30 caps, 1 goal: 5 seasons, 131 games, 5 goals
A career Devil, tremendously loyal, and a four-year starter. Probably better as a centre-back than as a fullback. His versatility ensures that even if he's not in the starting lineup on a given day, he'll be my first choice for the bench.
DRC Phillip Bardsley, 21, Scotland, uncapped: 1 season, 8 games, 0 goals
On loan to Aston Villa, and transfer listed.
Central Midfielders
AMC Paul Scholes, 31, England, 66 caps, 14 goals: 12 seasons, 341 games, 89 goals
An eleven-year starter who hasn't lost his brilliant first touch. He loves to get into the opposition area, frequently arriving late in the box for maximum havoc. I'll be letting him make a lot of forward runs, almost joining the strikers in attack.
MC Michael Carrick, 25, England, 7 caps, 0 goals: £14M transfer from Tottenham
His partner is a tireless midfielder who comes deep to get the ball, and dictates the tempo of the game. I'll be holding him a little deeper, trying to get the ball played to his feet as he prefers, and letting him have a go from range if he sees his chance.
MRC Darren Fletcher, 22, Scotland, 23 caps, 3 goals: 3 seasons, 67 games, 4 goals
The departure of Park Ji-Sung means this United youth product will now see regular action. He tries killer balls, sometimes a bit beyond his current ability at the moment, but as he progresses he should be solid. Like Scholes, he loves to arrive late in the opponent's area.
MC Ritchie Jones, 19, England, uncapped: No appearances
Doesn't look to promising, but he's an injury away from being a regular on the bench, at least. He plays short, simple passes with an almost American lack of creativity, but defensively he dives into tackles and rattles opposition players.
MC Darron Gibson, 18, Ireland, uncapped: No appearances
Young Gibson is a hot prospect for the future, out on loan to Belgian side Antwerp. The way he dictates the tempo is impressive for one so young, and he can shoot from distance with impressive power.
AMRC Souleymane Mamam, 21, Togo, 8 caps, 0 goals: No appearances
This unimpressive Togo international is also out on loan to Antwerp. Unless he does unexpectedly well, he'll find himself transfer listed by season's end.
Left Wings
AMLC Ryan Giggs, 32, Wales, 56 caps, 11 goals: 16 seasons, 474 games, 93 goals
The heart and soul of the team, this career Red Devil has been a starter for fifteen years, and I'm hardly going to change that! His flamboyant play on the left creates havoc, as he tries all sorts of tricks, and knocks ball past opponents with ease.
AMLC Kieran Richardson, 21, England, 4 caps, 2 goals: 3 seasons, 26 games, 1 goal
A competent but unspectacular backup, this balanced winger likes to use his pace to run with the ball down the left; he's best for a "take it to the by-line and cross" approach.
Right Wings
AMRL Cristiano Ronaldo, 21, Portugal, 38 caps, 12 goals: 3 seasons, 95 games, 18 goals
This brilliant, explosive winger needs no introduction. He's world-famous for his dribbling antics, and YouTube videos abound of him tormenting his opponent, beating his man repeatedly. He shoots with power, and is strong with either foot. I'll be giving him the dead-ball duties as well; he strikes free kicks with power, likes to have a go from range, and serves up a very good corner.
ST Ole Gunnar Solskjær, 33, Norway, 62 caps, 21 goals: 9 seasons, 214 games, 83 goals
I'm quite familiar with Solskjær after his exploits in the Reserves last year, trying to battle back to fitness after missing almost two seasons with injury. He's an experienced professional who likes to place his shots. Though best as a striker, I expect him to see most of his action at right wing this year.
AMRC Chris Eagles, 20, England, uncapped: No appearances
This tricky young winger adopts a similar approach, beating his man repeatedly, though he lacks the flair and polish of the first-choice. He's on loan to Kilmarnock for the season.
Strikers
FC Wayne Rooney, 20, England, 33 caps, 11 goals: 2 seasons, 65 games, 27 goals
The wonderkid who burst onto the scene so spectacularly four seasons ago has matured into an world class striker who puts feat in the hearts of opposition goalkeepers. He loves to come deep to get the ball, and can shoot with power from 25 yards. His hard-scrabble never-say-die approach can get him in trouble when he argues with officials, but it also inspires his teammates to see his determination to win every ball.
ST Miroslav Klose, 28, Germany, 62 caps, 29 goals: £22.6M transfer from Werder Bremen
He is joined by the tremendous striker, legendary in the air - but equally skilled at placing his shots, rounding the keeper, and scoring with flair.
ST Henrik Larsson, 34, Sweden, 82 caps, 24 goals: Season-long loan from Helsingborg
Brought in to help ease the injury situation up front, this experienced professional makes a fine target man. He also gets into the opposition area well, and tries first time shots - a deadly combination.
ST Alan Smith, 25, England, 16 caps, 1 goal: 2 seasons, 52 games, 7 goals
Has been disappointing after a £7M transfer from Leeds, failing to find his goalscoring touch in his first season and then breaking his leg last year. Best with his back to goal, where he can use his strength for a quick-turn, he's also good in the air. He's a bit controversial, winding up opponents and getting the crowd going.
ST Louis Saha, 28, France, 12 caps, 2 goals: 3 seasons, 45 games, 15 goals
Another one whose failed to really make his mark on the side, his pre-season injury hasn't done him any favours in that department. He likes to use his pace to beat the offsides trap, and also moves into the channels, which seems to conflict a bit with the class of wingers we have, unless they cut inside. I love the way he shoots with power, though!
ST Conor Casey, 25, U.S.A., 23 caps, 0 goals: Season-long loan from Mainz
This powerful target-man was brought in on loan primarily for depth, before I signed Klose and with Smith and Saha both hurt. He tries first-time shots.
ST Dong Fangzhuo, 21, China, 6 caps, 1 goal: No appearances
This ambitious young speedster has spent past three years on loan to Antwerp, and I worry that he'll get frustrated rotting in the Reserves this year.
FC Guiseppe Rossi, 19, Italy, uncapped: 1 season, 5 games, 1 goal
A brilliant prospect for the future, he's on loan to Parma, having struggled somewhat to adapt to the English lifestyle on his first go. He likes the ball played to his feet, and places his shots as few men ever could - the immortal Baggio comes to mind.
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