There have been plenty of pretenders to Peter Schmeichel’s throne since his abdication in 1999. But few have graced the No.1 jersey with such quality and consistency as Edwin van der Sar.

The two differ in style, of course. Schmeichel was famed for furiously bellowing at his back four as well as his brilliant saves. Edwin, however, uses his experience and calm assurance to great effect.

He was undoubtedly key to the Reds’ successive Premier League titles in 2007 and 2008, and his penalty save from Nicolas Anelka in the Champions League final in Moscow is forever etched in United history.
Van der Sar, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2005 at the age 34, is edging closer to his 40th birthday. But old father time has dulled neither his ambition nor his influence.  Age is not a problem, far from it. He helped keep an incredible 24 clean sheets in all competitions in 2007/08.

Edwin’s excellent form last season quickly earned him a contract extension until summer 2009, and international retirement after Euro 2008 will only enhance the stay-fresh effect.

“I still feel very good in terms of fitness,” he says. “And with the way this team plays and everything about the club, it's a delight to be here.”

He has all the wisdom and know-how between the sticks that you would expect of a goalkeeper that is his nation’s most-capped player and a former UEFA Cup (1992) and Champions League (1995) winner with his first club Ajax in the early nineties. He also won four league titles and three domestic cups with the Amsterdam outfit, before spending two seasons in Serie A with Juventus.

Gianlugi Buffon’s arrival at the Stadio delle Alpi resulted in a £5million switch to Fulham in 2001 at the outset of the Londoners’ Premier League adventure, but after four seasons at Craven Cottage United came knocking.

He has been a breath of fresh air since arriving at Old Trafford and a crucial component of United's defensive rearguard.

Season 2008/09 presents new challenges. The Reds have Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak waiting in the wings for their chance. But although age may not be on Edwin’s side, experience counts and the towering Dutchman will take some shifting.

Gary Neville belongs to an elite group of players who have skippered the Reds to the Premier League 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 Premier League trophy following the Reds' record ninth triumph at the end of the 2006/07 campaign.

Neville himself had missed the final stages of the campaign, having suffered ankle ligament damage just 11 minutes into the visit of Bolton to Old Trafford on 17 March 2007. The same injury kept the Reds’ skipper out for most of the 2007/2008 season but even when he is unable to influence matters directly on the pitch, you can be sure his presence is 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 more than 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, Gary gives his all in every game, demanding the same from his team-mates. No excuses.

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 boss at Monaco, Didier Deschamps, as a big influence. "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 during 2006/07 as the Reds won the Premier League 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 Premier League and Champions League goals against Everton and Roma respectively. 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 Premier League peers.

Patrice made the left-back berth his own during 2007/08, missing only eight games in the triumphant Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

The Frenchman's form and fitness were crucial to the parsimony of the defence, and he brought balance and abundant energy to the Reds' fluid, attacking wing play, even if he did not score any goals himself in a glorious season.

In June 2008, he signed a four-year contract extension keeping him at the club until the summer of 2012.

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 for a fee of around £17million.

The Canadian-born, England international midfielder’s stock had risen dramatically in the previous year, and by the time he arrived at Old Trafford, he had become one of European football’s most highly-thought of defensive midfielders, having won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern.

After an injury-disrupted start to his United career, Hargreaves came to the fore in the second half of the successful 2007/08 campaign with a string of tireless and confident performances in midfield and also, on occasion, at right-back. He capped a satisfying debut season with a superb penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out victory over Chelsea.

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

After earning his stripes in Bayern's youth ranks, Hargreaves made the step up to first-team football in August 2000. It would prove to be a highly successful season as Bayern claimed both the 2000/01 Bundesliga title and the Champions League crown. Hargreaves 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 witnessed Hargreaves' breakthrough at international level. He 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, and he was voted England Player of the Year in January 2007. So far he has played in two World Cups and a European Championships with his country.

Hargreaves brings vast experience to United’s midfield, as well as a determined, energetic and enthusiastic style. Partnering Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick or Anderson – or a combination of them – gives a well-balanced feel to United’s engine room.

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 and seen him handed the captaincy for club and country on numerous occasions.

In May 2008, Ferdinand signed a new five-year contract with the Reds until 2013. Just six days later he went on to captain United to Champions League glory in Moscow.

A perennial quiet achiever, Wes Brown finally stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight during 2007/08.

United fans have long recognised Brown's worth as a versatile, no-nonsense defender, but a long-term injury to Gary Neville in March 2006 handed Wes the opportunity to establish himself as a key ingredient in Sir Alex's miserly back four.

So good were Brown's performances, he played in more matches than any other player on the road to winning the Barclays Premier League and Champions League double. That's some achievement, especially when you consider Brown's historic run of bad luck.
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, there's never been any question over his ability. Tough-tackling, strong in the air and fast on the deck, Wes is one of England's finest defenders.

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 Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award. His promise earned him 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 became a linchpin in the centre of defence; his no-nonsense style perfectly complimented Rio Ferdinand’s more languid approach. Opportunities were somewhat limited during the 2006/07 campaign, as Nemanja Vidic forged an almost telepathic relationship alongside Ferdinand in the heart of the defence. Still, Wes took his opportunities when they arose and, as the season climaxed, he passed the 250-appearance mark and claimed his fourth league winners' medal.

He signed a new four-year deal in April 2008 and is looking forward to challenging for more silverware in the future.

"To be part of a team I have supported all my life is a great honour," Brown said. "I can see this team winning many trophies and it will be great to share in that success."

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. 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 in 2006/2007 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.

His form in the 2006/2007 season brought Ronaldo 14 individual awards and, despite interest from other clubs, he extended his contract until 2012. The winger's performances also earned him third place in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year. Ronaldo somehow continues to improve and in 2007/2008, he scored his first United hat-trick and his 50th league goal for the club in a 6-0 romp over Newcastle on the way to netting a staggering 42 goals.

He arrived with the billing: the ‘new Ronaldinho’. But upon his arrival at Old Trafford from FC Porto in summer 2007 most Reds were left asking: ‘Anderson who?’

After a wondrous debut season the Brazilian's talents are well known not just in Manchester, but around the world. The Ronaldinho comparisons are inevitable given both players began their careers at Brazilian side Gremio, who Anderson Luis de Abreu Oliveira (to give his full name) joined at the age of just five.

But that’s really where the similarities end. Where Ronaldinho is all flicks and flamboyance, Anderson is bustling with energy and possesses an eye for a defence-splitting pass. He has skill and technical ability in abundance, but his preference for midfield combat could bring you to question his Brazilian roots (more so if you spotted his dancing after lifting the Champions League trophy in May 2008!)

At Gremio, Anderson made his first appearance aged just 16. He is most fondly remembered for a wonder goal against Nautico in November 2005, which earned a 1-0 win and promotion back to the top flight. He also earned a reputation internationally, shining shone with Brazil at the 2005 U17 World Cup, where he won the Adidas Golden Ball for most valuable player.

Porto soon came knocking in January 2006, where he won the Portuguese Championship in 2005/06 and 2006/07, although his progress was hampered by a broken leg causing him to miss much of the 06/07 campaign.

Sir Alex couldn’t quite believe the reports coming back from his scouts, who rated the teenager as among the best prospects in the world. Upon further investigation, the Reds realised this was a player not to miss out on, and moved quickly to stave off interest from Barcelona in reported £18million deal.

Anderson wasn’t involved in the early matches of United's 2007/08 campaign, but he soon made up for it. His competitive debut at Sunderland caught the eye before another fine display against Wigan (he claimed to be the best player on the pitch) highlighted his true potential.

Most exciting is his penchant for the big games – commanding performances against Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas point to an influential future - and if he can add goals to his game he could be the successor to Paul Scholes' throne. He’s set a standard and big things are expected of him, but it’s safe to say ‘Anderson’ and ‘who?’ will not come packaged in the same sentence again.

Dimitar Berbatov is a classy and complete centre-forward, pairing the ability to ruthlessly and regularly find the net inside the box with the aptitude to create moments of sheer magic outside it.

Sir Alex likes players with plenty of charisma in the way they play, and the Bulgarian’s languid style is instantly recognisable on the field. It’s also an approach that has drawn comparisons with former United talisman Eric Cantona. Like the captivating Frenchman, Berbatov loves to entertain with the ball at his feet. United fans are in for a real treat with the Bulgarian in a United shirt in attack alongside Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo et al.

Berbatov started out at Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia. He joined The Armymen aged 17, following in the footsteps of his father, Ivan, who also played for the club. After making his debut aged 18 in the 1998/99 campaign, he went on to score 14 goals in 27 league matches the following season.

His talent quickly attracted attention from Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, who made their move for the Bulgarian front man in January 2001 after an impressive start to the season for CSKA. Berbatov – national team captain and Bulgarian Player of the Year in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007 – made a slow start to his time in Germany, but he regularly shone in the Champions League, scoring a spectacular solo goal against Lyon and also finding the net against Liverpool (already he’s in favour).

The only blot on his copybook is that he was part of the Leverkusen team that knocked United out of the Champions League semi finals in April 2002. He came on as a substitute in the final as the Germans lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in Glasgow.

Berbatov was eventually lured to the Premier League when Tottenham signed him in July 2006 for a reported £10.9million fee. He was an instant hit at White Hart Lane, scoring his first competitive goal two minutes into his home Premier League debut against Sheffield United. He went on to score 23 goals in his opening season, which he matched again in 2007/08, a campaign which saw him voted Fans' Player of the Year.

However, after months of speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2008, Sir Alex Ferguson finally got his man on transfer deadline day with just minutes to go. Berbatov signed a four-year contract on 1 September 2008 for an undisclosed fee, with Fraizer Campbell heading to White Hart Lane on a season-long loan as part of the deal.

Wayne Rooney is a player in a hurry. He burst onto the Old Trafford stage in September 2004, just as he had burst into the Premier League with Everton, and has become arguably United’s most important player.

Much was expected of the England’s 18-year-old hero of Euro 2004 when he swapped Everton, his boyhood club, for the Reds in August of that year. Yet becoming the world’s most expensive teenager - £20m rising to a possible £30m – did little to faze him.

In his very first game at Old Trafford he produced a stunning display to blast an unforgettable debut hat-trick past a shell-shocked Fenerbahce.

It was a fairytale start to his United career and very much a sign of what was to follow. By the end of the 2004/05 campaign he’d amassed 17 goals in 43 appearances and was rightly named PFA Young Player of the Year.

Rooney’s second season at Old Trafford saw him again take huge strides. He ended the season with 19 goals in 48 matches and was voted both Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year by fans and PFA Young Player of the year (again) by his fellow professionals.

The young striker openly aims to better his goals tally each season, and the 2006/07 campaign saw Rooney achieve that with 23 strikes as he shook off a difficult World Cup with England.

Rooney's red card during England's quarter-final defeat to Portugal caused a media storm in Britain, not least because of the involvement of United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, but Wayne rose above the controversy to register another excellent year at United.

A long goalscoring drought was emphatically ended with a stunning hat-trick at Bolton, while doubts over his ability to find the net in Europe were banished as he netted four goals in the Champions League latter stages.

He found the net 18 times in the 2007/08 season, a tally which included three Premier League braces and another four goals in Europe.

His exciting strike partnership with 19-goal Carlos Tevez was one of the key factors in the Reds' Premier League and Champions League double triumph.

The development of the man Sir Alex describes as “the best young player I have seen in my time” continues at a rate which causes either exhilaration or consternation, depending on who you support.