Saturday 12th August 2006 skysports.com
As the new Premiership season draws ever closer, new Manchester United manager Faiz Khan has announced his squad of players for the new campaign. Khan has decided against making any new signings before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month as he is satisfied with the current crop of players in his squad. Here is his squad in full:
Edwin van der Sar - expected to be 1st choice between the sticks this season as his experience and shot-stopping will be very important this season. He is seen by Khan as one of his key players and is definitely one of the top goalkeepers in the last decade of this game.
Tomasz Kuszczak - on loan from West Brom this season, with a permanent deal happening next summer. The young Poland international is expected to back-up van der Sar as he gets to grip with being at one of the biggest clubs in the world. His biggest asset is certainly his shot-stopping and that asset alone will be vital to United's aspirations this season.
Mikael Silvestre - experienced France international defender. Normally plays at left-back but is equally at home at the heart of the defence. Silvestre will very much be a back-up player this season as cover for both centre-back and left-back.
Nemanja Vidic - an absolute beast of a defender who is expected to start at the heart of United's back four. He is very good in the air, in the tackle but the most important attribute that the Serbian possesses according to Khan is his bravery in everything he does on the pitch.
Wes Brown - one of the most underrated defenders in the Premiership. Has pretty much every asset that a central defender could have - tackling, heading, good strength and he's no slouch either. Will probably act as cover for Ferdinand and Vidic but can also do an effective job at right-back.
Gary Neville - United captain and the heartbeat of this team, Neville will be 1st choice at right-back this season. His heart on his sleeve approach is loved by the club's supporters and Khan has always admired his spirit. But not only that - Neville is a pretty damn good footballer, pushing forward at every opportunity to assist attacks and defends very well too.
Gabriel Heinze - very committed and experience Argentine who plays at left-back but can also play at centre-back to the same high level. Adds some bite to the United defence and is sure to be 1st choice at left-back whilst being cover centre-back. Loved by the fans for his ferocious tackling and all action committed dislays.
John O'Shea - every team has a Mr Versatile and O'Shea is United's. Can play in a variety of positions including in central midfield and anywhere across the back four. Hell, he can even play in goal
. Will most likely act as cover for the first XI, filling in at every opportunity.
Patrice Evra - the attacking alternative to Heinze, the French left-back will definitely be a key member of the squad this season. The main reason for this is that he can used pretty much anywhere along the left side as he is fantastic at storming down the left side whipping in crosses. But he does need to improve his defending in order to play a major part this season.
Rio Ferdinand - the calming influence to the United defence, Khan will need Ferdinand to stay fit for the full season such is his importance to the squad. Very quick, good in the air and very good on the ground, Ferdinand is certain to start as 1st choice at centre-back. He may deemed overrated in some quarters, but Khan maintains Ferdinand is one the world's best central defenders.
Darren Fletcher - the Scotland international faces possibly his biggest season in his career. The unsung hero of the squad because although his end product is sometimes missing, his effort and die-hard attitude makes him a very important member of Khan's squad. However, he is definitely back-up this season, whether it is central midfield or right-wing that needs filling.
Michael Carrick - the club's only summer signing, Carrick will have to settle quickly if United are to challenge this season. Will be 1st choice this season as his ability to track back, break up attacks and start attacks will be a good asset to Khan's side. The England international can also pass damn good and will look to showcase these talents on the Old Trafford stage.
David Jones - very young boy coming into a big man's squad. Jones is extremely talented in his favoured central midfield position but is very unlikely to play a major part in this season. Khan will probably use Jones in the Carling Cup to gain more experience and then hopefully Jones can push for a first team place next season. Certainly one for the future.
Alan Smith - the former Leeds man will be hoping to get his career back on track this season after his horrific leg break last term. Khan has already stated that he hopes to use Smith as a striker. He will be back in October where he could obtain a regular place in the first XI if his attitude is right. His commitment and heart will be a plus for Khan as he wants committed players in his side.
Cristiano Ronaldo - all eyes will be on the Portuguese international as it is the first season since the whole World Cup episode. No doubt that Khan will see him as an integral part of the squad and the winger is expected to start the season as 1st choice right winger. The man has the talent and skills plus the mental strength to deal with away fans and Khan hopes for Ronaldo to have a productive campaign.
Park Ji-Sung - the Korean international is sort of a cult hero at Old Trafford as his committed displays have no doubt gone down well with the suppporters. Park has an engine to run for the full 90 minutes and has the end product to succeed here. He is likely to start the season as understudy to Ronaldo but can also cover the left-wing position.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - a real hero with the fans, Solskjaer will hope that his injury problems are well and truly behind him. He has been loved ever since that night in Barcelona. Khan was no doubt singing his praises on that night. Unfortunately, the Norway international's legs have probably got slower and we're likely to see more sub appearances than starts this season.
Ryan Giggs - the legendary winger enters his 15th Premiership season still going strong and gunning for a record 9th League medal. His displays down the years on that left wing has mesmerised us all and Khan is hoping that the Welshman has some left in the tank yet. He is likely to be given the left-wing berth this coming season.
Kieran Richardson - this could be a big season for the London lad as he will be trying to re-create the form that we saw at West Brom in 2005. The winger has bags of pace and trickery and can surely be a hit with the fans if he gets his chance. He will have to work very hard though as he will probably start the season as cover for left-wing and left-back.
Wayne Rooney - arguably the team's most influential player, the 21 year-old from Liverpool will no doubt be hungry for a 1st Premiership medal this season. The player can do just about anything with a football and his mesmeric football brain can unlock any defence in the world. Will no doubt start the season as the 1st choice striker. This could be his season.
Paul Scholes - one of the best attacking midfielders in the world over the past decade, the lad from Manchester will be raring to go as ever this season. Having recovered from a career-threatening eye problem, his vision is a key attribute to his game as he can control the tempo of any game with his passing. Will probably try to forge a partnership with newcomer Carrick in the engine room.
Louis Saha - the France international has endured a frustrating United career so far as injuries have held him back numerous times. When fit though, he is as dangerous as Thierry Henry and as ruthless as Didier Drogba. He just needs to get over his injury problems and we should see the best of Saha in a United shirt this season.
Manchester United - The New Revolution 
Linear Mode
