Bolton-born Sam Hewson is a creative central midfielder who likes to get forward and score goals.

Combining an ability to break up opposition play and a talent to push forward and create chances, or indeed score himself, Hewson is an accomplished midfielder.

Sam made 24 appearances for the Academy Under-18s in 2005/06, scoring six goals. His impressive performances for Paul McGuinness’ side also earned him regular call-ups to United’s Reserves.

Hewson first started playing football at the age of six, kicking a tennis ball around in the school playground.

He was spotted two years later playing for his local team, AFC Bolton. After impressing in only his second match for the team, he was offered a trial at United and began training regularly at the club a year later, aged nine.

During his third season as an Academy scholar, 2007/08, Sam made sufficient impact in United's Reserves to be shortlisted for the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year. He was handed a Premier League squad number (33) at the beginning of the 2008/09 campaign.

When Tomasz Kuszczak was given the no.29 jersey and Ben Foster the no.12, many Reds fans assumed the Pole would be third choice between the sticks during the 2007/08 season. However, a cruciate ligament injury kept Foster out until March, by which time Kuszczak had proved his worth to United on numerous occasions.

Kuszczak made 16 appearances in United's double-winning campaign, keeping no fewer than eight clean sheets. And that statistic is all the more admirable when you consider that playing as a substitute goalkeeper is no easy task. Warming the bench for weeks on end, it would be easy for any keeper to lose focus and

sharpness – dangerous considering they might be required to step in at a moment’s notice. But Kuszczak was rarely found wanting and while he was sent off for a foul leading to the decisive penalty in the FA Cup against Portsmouth, even that decision seemed harsh.

Kuszczak arrived at United having already made one outstanding appearance at Old Trafford, for his former club West Bromwich Albion. With the Baggies' top-flight status at stake in May 2005, the Pole was called upon when regular keeper Russell Hoult went off injured after just 22 minutes. The Baggies had just gone 1-0 down to a Ryan Giggs goal, but Kuszczak made

He instantly made a big impression at Old Trafford, saving a penalty by Arsenal's Gilberto Silva on his debut. And although he played only six games in 2006/07, he did received a title winner's medal when the club applied to the Premier League.

Tomasz's first Poland cap, against Malta in December 2003, followed 14 appearances at U-21 level. He was in Poland's 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 squads, as cover for Celtic's Artur Boruc, but did not play in either tournament.

Did You Know? 'Tomasz Kuszczak' would fetch a score of 53 in Scrabble. It's pronounced 'Tomash Koosh-shack'.

Northern Ireland U21 international Darron Gibson is a powerful and athletic midfielder, who can both attack and defend.

His accurate and broad range of passing has made him an integral part of United’s youth team in the last two seasons, and his performances in the Reserves also earned him a chance at first team level.

Gibson’s United debut arrived a day after celebrating his 18th birthday in the Carling Cup victory over Barnet in October 2005. He was a second half substitute for fellow youngster Lee Martin in the 76th minute.

In his second season as an Academy

scholar, Gibson proved he was ready to make the step up to Reserve level. He was a regular fixture in Rene Meulensteen’s Treble-winning side during the 2005/06 campaign. He made 19 appearances, scoring twice.

Highly rated inside Old Trafford, the decision was taken to send Darron to Antwerp for the duration of the 2006/07 season to further his development in a competitive arena.

Although initially hampered by a troublesome knee injury, it didn't take the young midfielder long to make an impact in Belgium, and he was an integral part their push for promotion.

It’s amazing to think Michael Carrick had his detractors at the start of his United career, with some grumblings about his transfer fee - £14m rising to £18.6m with add-ons.

Even after his debut 2006/07 season, in which he carved out a formidable partnership with Paul Scholes as the Reds reclaimed the title, some people predicted he’d slip down the pecking order after the arrival of Owen Hargreaves. But not a bit of it. Carrick has become ever more important to United, maturing into one of English football's most sophisticated and classy passing midfielders.

The first of Carrick's two

league titles with United to date was also the first major honour of his professional career, although he did win the FA Youth Cup with West Ham in 1999, scoring twice in the 9-0 final demolition of Coventry City.

West Ham loaned Carrick out to Swindon in 1999/2000 and then Birmingham in 2000/01 when he earned a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year, eventually won by Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

Carrick spent much of the 2002/03 season sidelined with injury. West Ham were relegated at the end of it but rather than join Joe Cole, Fredi Kanoute and Jermain Defoe in an exodus,

Carrick stayed for a season in the Championship. However, after losing the 2004 play-off final to Crystal Palace, Carrick decided he couldn't wait another year for a return to the Premier League and moved across London to join Tottenham in a transfer worth £2.75m.

He blossomed into an accomplished midfielder in two seasons at White Hart Lane. However, he only scored two goals in 64 games and it seemed this low strike-rate would continue at United, at least for the first few months.

Encouraged by Sir Alex Ferguson to push forward, Carrick eventually weighed in with six strikes from midfield

in 2006/07. His first was a well-taken half-volley against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 13 January 2007; his second, at home to Reading in the FA Cup, was shortlisted for the club's Goal of the Season award (won by Scholes away to Villa). His other goals included two in the 7-1 rout of Roma.

Carrick may have only scored three goals in 2007/08 but his all-round contribution to the cause could not be questioned as the Reds were crowned Champions of England and Europe. No wonder then that club and player agreed a new four-year deal in May 2008, to keep Carrick at United until June 2012.

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.