The Manchester United All-Time Draft - Selection Thread & Rules

[Dark Savante]

Johno's Selection is:

http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/rogerbyrne.jpg

Roger Byrne

Full Name Roger William Byrne
Date of Birth 8th Feb 1929
Place of Birth Gorton, Manchester
Position Left Back
Height 5ft 9

Roger Byrne was the great captain of the legendary Busby Babes. An inspirational and charismatic leader he was a key element in making United the team of the mid 1950's.

Byrne nearly didn't become a footballer having played Rugby Union for a time, but eventually he was spotted and joined United's youth team at the comparatively late age of 20. Matt Busby recognised a quality in him that could be developed but at first it was not sure which position he would play. Versatile Bryne played as winger, wing-half and left-back. In 1951 he made his debut against Liverpool and continued to put in fine performances.

United and Byrne went on to win the League title in 1952 with Byrne on the wing but when Busby forced him to play on the wing permanently in 1952 Bryne was unhappy and asked for a transfer. Busby backed down and quickly made Bryne a left back, a position he would make his own.

He was one of the new generation brought in by Busby, fast, strong and always in control, often using his speed to allow him to come up the wings and participate in attacks. As left back Roger Byrne was rock solid, hard working, powerful, skilful, efficient - a player who refused to be beaten. Even the great wingers of the day, Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney rarely, if ever, got the better of him.

He was cool and confident with excellent awareness and positional skills. Not the most naturally gifted of players he made up for it by putting in long hours of training and study therefore making sure he was never caught out. A truly great footballer's talents are as much mental as physical and anticipation was Roger Byrne's great strength - he could always detect danger.



He was intelligent and a stubborn non-conformist, never afraid to voice his opinion even if it meant defying manager Busby - however there was great mutual respect between the two. He took over as club captain from Johnny Carey in 1954 when Carey retired and although only slightly older than the rest of the "Babes" they all looked up to him as a father figure. Playing the best football of his career he led United to the League title in 1956 and again in 1957 when he also led the team in the unlucky FA Cup Final defeat to Aston Villa. Byrne played for England 33 times consecutively and would surely have captained them in the 1958 World Cup alongside fellow United stars Duncan Edwards and Tommy Taylor - but it wasn't to be.

In 1958 United's Busby Babes were at the height of their power at home and abroad when the cruel hand of fate robbed the world of the team's great talents. Byrne was amongst those tragically killed in the crash at Munich in 1958, it was only two days before his 29th birthday. There can be few who would argue that despite being limited to a professional career of only 6 years, Roger Byrne was one of the all-time great United captains. Sadly robbed of life at the peak of his career, his place alongside fellow United legends is secure.

Byrne's United Record 1951-1958

Appearances Goals
League 245 17
FA Cup 18 2
League Cup n/a n/a
Europe 14 0
Total 277 19

Byrne's International Record
1954-1958

33 Caps for England - 0 Goals

Honours with United

1st Div League Championship 1957
1st Div League Championship 1956
1st Div League Championship 1952

Courtesy of manutdzone.com

[GrodZilla]

Rio Ferdinand..

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00199/Rio_Ferdinand_199056c.jpg

Full Name: Rio Gavin Ferdinand

Position: Central Defender

Date of Birth: 7th November 1978

Squad Number: 5

Place of Birth: Dulwich, London

Height: 6' 3''



South-East Londoner Rio Ferdinand began his schoolboy football years playing as a centre-forward. He later moved to central midfield and it was at Eltham Town U14 he caught the eye of the West Ham scouts. He was signed as a schoolboy, aged fourteen and at sixteen he opted to stay with the Hammers, despite interest from Middlesbrough and Chelsea.

On a two-year YTS contract as an apprentice in his now familiar role of central defender, he helped West Ham's youth team to win the South East Counties League in 1995/96 with a record number of points.

The then Hammers manager Harry Redknapp was impressed with Rio's growing ability and signed him on his first professional contract at the age of 17. Ferdinand got his first taste of senior football on 5 May 1996, on as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday at Upton Park.

The following season saw Redknapp make use of the loan system to send Rio to Bournemouth for two character-building months in the Football League. The defender made ten appearances in Division Two between 9 November 1996 and 11 January 1997, and returned to West Ham ready for his big break into the senior team.

Rio's senior West Ham debut on 25 January 1997 was a memorable one for all the wrong reasons as a shock result saw Wrexham knock the Hammers out of the FA Cup, 1-0, at Upton Park. Rio's first full Premiership starting appearance came on 1st February 1997 in a 2-1 defeat against Blackburn at Ewood Park, in which he coincidently also scored his first goal.

Rio made 152 (6) appearances for West Ham, scoring two goals and was regularly promoted as the footballing reincarnation of Bobby Moore. His reputation was that of the best young defender in the country, a supremely elegant footballer who defends with intelligence and guile, but also uses the ball when possession is gained.

He made his England debut against Cameroon at Wembley on Nov 1997 and made steady progress consolidating a place in the national team (although Kevin Keegan didn't select him for the disastrous Euro 2000 campaign).

He was catching the attention of the top clubs (including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona) but none would pay the massive outlay Redknapp insisted was required to prise Rio away from Upton Park.

That is, until Leeds United manager David O'Leary was prepared to take the gamble and pay up. O'Leary shocked the football world by smashing the British transfer record with the £18 million fee on 26th November 2000. A world record fee for such a young defender had many sceptics baffled at the huge payout. However, Rio helped the Elland Road side to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in his first season and a series of superb performances for Leeds proved it was money well spent.

Rio's second season at Leeds, 2001/02, was less successful for the team but he began to raise his game up a level. The move north undoubtedly benefited the Londoner who claimed a regular spot in the England set-up alongside Sol Campbell as the old rear-guard were phased out. With Leeds captain Lucas Radebe injured, he was made club captain. A transfer to Manchester United was suggested even before the World Cup Finals, in which Ferdinand showed that he was the best defender in the competition.


Rio's transfer value rocketed during the 2002 World Cup but Fergie and the PLC were not deterred. After weeks of constant speculation, followed by days of negotiation, they signed Rio Ferdinand for a new British record fee of £29million (plus performance related payments). United had got a world class player who at 23 had a long career ahead of him. The sum also put Rio in the position of being the world's most expensive defender again, topping the £22m that Juventus paid Parma for Lilian Thuram in 2001.

In his first season Ferdinand was solid but not outstanding. He picked up an ankle injury in a pre-season friendly with Boca Juniors, which delayed his full United debut until the 5-0 Champions League qualifying victory over Zalaegerszeg at Old Trafford. His Premiership debut came a few days later in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland and he went on to make 46 appearances through the season.

He was always going to have difficulty living up to his huge transfer fee and part of the problem was not having an established central partner. Even so, United still had the best defensive record in the Premiership so he must have been doing something right.

2003-2004 began well with Rio beginning to justify his huge transfer outlay. With his excellent defensive performances along with Mikael Silvestre, United were rock solid at the back and top of Premiership at Christmas. However, this was not to last as a cloud had been hanging over the player since September.

Rio had been ordered to take an FA drugs test at Carrington on September 23rd, but left without undergoing the procedure. Claiming he forgot because he was moving house at the time and was distracted, he went shopping in Manchester city centre. Upon discovering his blunder, Ferdinand later contacted the club to offer to take the test, but was told it was too late - the FA testers had gone. He provided a negative urine sample within 2 days but the issue was not whether he was on drugs but that he had simply missed the test.

An independent tribunal found the defender guilty of misconduct and gave him an eight month ban starting from 20 January. This meant he would miss the rest of the season and Euro 2004. United appealed against the punishment but were unsuccessful. One moment of forgetfulness set off a chain of events that the club dearly. Without Rio, United's defence fell apart from late January to mid March. The team shipped goals and dropped points with only one clean sheet in 11 (at Northampton Town).

Last season, Rio had to make up for the mistake that he could never have envisioned becoming so destructive. Making his comeback against Liverpool on 20th September he was a regular starter throughout the season, missing only seven Premiership matches and a cool presence at the back.

In late Arpril, negotiations for a new contract angered the United faithful as the defender not only asked for a reported £120,000 a week but was seen at a meeting with his agent Pini Zahavi and Chelsea's Peter Kenyon. As one of the best defender's in the world and a much prized asset, it is unlikely he will be sold any time soon. When Roy Keane doesn't play, Rio is usually awarded the captain's armband - Sir Alex clearly recognises him as the heart of his plans and still believes there is more to come.

Bio from manutdzone.com

[billyireland]

http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/BillFoulkes.jpg
Bill Foulkes
Centreback

A huge, strong centre-half, Bill Foulkes was a
Busby Babe, who survived Munich and played top flight football for nearly twenty years.He was United's wall of steel who might well have been hewn out of solid rock from the coalfields he woked in. He joined Manchester United as an amateur in March 1950, later turning professional in August 1951. In his early days Foulkes combined playing football with work at a coal mine feeling that he was not good enough to make the grade.Only when called up to the England team was he convinced to give up his job at the colliery. He made his debut for United half way through the 1952-53 season as right full-back, but later moved to his favoured position of centre-half. He enjoyed the physical side of football,being powerful in the air and competent on the floor.

As one of the survivors of the Munich air crash, Foulkes took over as captain of a depleted United team, leading them to the F.A. Cup Final at Wembley in 1958, only to end up on the losing team. In a distinguished career at Old Trafford, Foulkes won four League Championship medals in 1956, 1957, 1965 and 1967, he played three F.A. Cup finals in 1957, 1958 and 1963, collecting a winners' medal in 1963. To crown his career he won a European Cup winners' medal in 1968. In addition to this he was capped by England at both under-23 and full levels.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2070/1948johnnycarey1uy.jpg
John Carey

Johnny Carey was one of United's great captains, the Roy Keane of his day. Amazingly versatile he played in every position except outside right, although his favoured position was in defence. His career from 1937-53 was interrupted by the War, however he still won the 1948 FA Cup and 1952 League title. Playing in International's for both the Republic and Northern Ireland, Carey was one of the greatest defenders of his generation.

He was born in Dublin on 23rd February 1919 and was first spotted whilst playing for local side St James' Gate by United's Dublin scout Billy Behan. At 17 he was brought to Old Trafford by United chief scout Louis Rocca for a modest fee of £250. Initially signed as an inside-left, he was in competition with another famous United player of the time, Stan Pearson, for this position. Supposedly the state of the pitch would often decide who would play.

At the age of 17 he made his debut at Old Trafford against Southampton but his career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War Two. During the War Carey served in the Middle East and in Italy and played as a guest player for various league clubs. In October 1945 he resumed his playing career with Manchester United, where he was switched to the position of full-back.

Carey was one of the outstanding defenders of his time. His innovative defensive play included clever positioning and clean tackling. Throughout a highly successful career, Carey captained United to the FA Cup in 1948 and the League Championship in 1952. Uniquely he played for both the Republic and Northern Ireland, a total of 27 and 9 times respectively. He captained the rest of Europe side which played Britain in 1947, in a fundraising match for UEFA and was voted footballer of the year in 1949.

After making 344 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 18 goals, Carey retired from football in May 1953. He was invited by the United board to a meeting where they conveyed their special thanks to him for his services and offered him a position at the club as a coach. However, in August of the same year he opted to became manager of Blackburn Rovers instead. He also went on to manage Everton, Leyton Orient and Nottingham Forest, before returning to Blackburn for a second spell as manager. Though he died on Feburary 22nd 1995 at the age of 75, Johnny Carey's place in history is secure and he will be fondly remembered for a long time to come as one of the finest players to wear the red of United. [manutdzone]

[Dark Savante]

http://dnausers.d-n-a.net/dnetmQXk/playerpages/yorkeinter.jpg

Full Name Dwight Yorke
Position: Support Striker
Date of Birth 3rd November 1971
Squad Number 19
Place of Birth Canaan, Tobago

Honours with United
1999 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1999 F.A. Cup - Winner
1999 Intercontinental Cup - Winner
1999 European Champions League - Winner
2000 F.A. Premier League - Winner



It was former England manager Graham Taylor as Villa boss, who spotted Dwight Yorke on a pre-season tour of the West Indies.When Yorke eventually made his full League debut for Villa , ironically the opposition were Manchester United and the match, played at Old Trafford on 29 December 1990, ended 1-1.

Under Ron Atkinson's three-year reign at Villa Park, Yorke was in and out of the side, hampered by injuries, he was left out of the side for the 1994 Coca Cola Cup Final, when Villa wrecked Manchester United's treble dream with a 3-1 victory.

The Trinidad and Tobago international enjoyed better times under Brian Little, scoring the third goal in the 1996 Coca Cola Cup Final win over Leeds United. In the following campaign, 1996/97, he became the first Villa player since 1981 to net 20 League goals in one season.

In his last full season with Villa, 1997/98, Dwight helped them to clinch a place in the UEFA Cup. as the club's top scorer with 16 in all competitions. £12 million for Dwight bloody Yorke" most people said when Dwight Yorke became Manchester United's record signing in August 1998 from Villa. A fee of £12.6 million for a player who was a bit useful, but hardly up there with Batistuta, meant many thought Fergie had lost it. The fact is, nobody knew how good Yorke really was. However one treble later and he's now up there with the all-time United Legends.

Yorke's first season was unbelievable,a total of 29 goals and electric form was invaluable in clinching the historic United treble.Not only did he score but he scored vital goals,sometimes to clinch one-nils (Charlton Derby ,Boro) or crucially against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Juventus and Barcelona in Europe.

His partnership up front with Andy Cole has been phenomenal, the best in Europe in 1999 scoring 53 goals between the two of them. Yorke has forced the doubters to eat their humble pie with his sensational form, a real bargin spotted by Fergie the master of the bargin buy.Yorkie is the heir to Cantona,and although no one could replace Eric, Dwight is the next best thing.

The 1999-2000 season saw Yorke beginning where he left off with vital goals against Leeds, and also Everton, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday.In the period that followed it was widely accepted that he had a dip in form scoring only 4 times in the next 19 games.Following 2 goals against West ham in December he recovered his form but it was only before scoring a hat-trick at home to Derby that he was back to his best with 2 against Bradford and Chelsea and important goals against Fiorentina and Leicester.

In a year in which he supposedly underperformed, Yorke still became the first United player since Brian McClair in 1988 to score 20 league goals in a season (The last before that was George Best). This achievement has long been one of the biggest millstones around for a United striker but Dwight made it look easy in the free-scoring United side that stormed to the title.

Appearances with United 1998-2000
Total League 61(3)
Total FA Cup 5(3)
Total League Cup 0
Total Europe 20(2)
Total 86(8)

Goals Scored with United 1998-2000
Total League 38
Total FA Cup 3
Total League Cup 0
Total Europe 10
Total 51

profile and picture courtesy of manutdzone.

[Dark Savante]

http://dnausers.d-n-a.net/dnetmQXk/playerpages/colecent.jpg

Full Name Andrew Alexander Cole
Position: Striker
Date of Birth 15th October 1971
Squad Number 9
Place of Birth Nottingham, England

Honours with United

1996 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1996 F.A. Cup - Winner
1996 F.A. Charity Shield - Winner
1997 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1997 F.A. Charity Shield - Winner
1999 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1999 F.A. Cup - Winner
1999 European Champions League - Winner
2000 F.A. Premier League - Winner

Andy Cole began his footballing career with Arsenal, however, when things did not go well,he was sold for a fee of £500,000 to Bristol City before going to Newcastle for £1,750,000 - in March 1993. Cole was a big success with Newcastle, helping them to secure promotion into the Premier League in his first season.

The following year, his 34 League goals won him the European 'Golden Boot' and the 1994 PFA Young Player of the Year award.In January 1995, in an attempt to strengthen his squad, Alex Ferguson paid a then British record transfer fee of £6,250,000 for Andy Cole, and in the process causing uproar on Tyneside.

In his first season with United he scored twelve goals in seventeen games - a good return for any forward - five of them coming in Manchester United's 9-0 defeat of Ipswich Town. His goals, however, were not enough to clinch the Championship in the 1994-5 season and United finished the season empty handed for the first time in five years. The following season Cole won a Premier League Championship medal, scoring one of United's goals in their 3-0 victory at Boro in the last game of the season.He also collected an FA Cup winners' medal as mighty United completed the Double for the second time by beating Liverpool 1-0 in the final.



The 1996-97 season was a bit of a disaster. Cole started the season with pneumonia, then broke both legs in a Reserve team game in September. The 1997-98 campaign proved to be one of Cole's best seasons. He finished as United's top scorer with 25 but sadly with no medals to show for it.

The 1998-99 season saw Cole begin where he left off, striking up a brilliant partnership with new signing Dwight Yorke.They were the most lethal striking partnership in Europe, their 53 goals helping sweep United to the Treble. Cole, playing some of the best football of his career, was overlooked by that Hoddle but Cole did't allow it to distract him.Hoddle was soon gone and Cole back for England anyway.
A total of 24 goals including the one that clinched the Championship and the winner at Juventus, followed by the FA Cup and European Cup must cap his best season yet.Since Andy Cole joined United in 1995 he has just got better and better.An out and out goal scorer with Newcastle,he has become an all-round player who can shoot, pass and create.Yet he has had to endure the constant criticism of fans and pundits.

A pattern has emerged in Cole's season in that he has his best form in the winter months but suffers from a spring drought, and then the doubters start whining.

1999-2000 was the season Andy Cole scored some of the most spectacular goals of his career.The bicycle kick at home to Leicester has to be seen to be believed as words cannot do it justice,such was the athletism and skill of this 20 yard effort that it left even Old Trafford's United fans momentarily stunned.

Then there was a superb mid-air volley from close range against Watford, an acrobatic overhead kick against Marseille, a brilliant effort at home to Newcastle and not forgetting the turn and delicate floating lob against Coventry City (an almost classic reconstuction of Cantona's goal vs Sunderland in 1996).

To top all that he scored the vital winner that sunk Leeds and put United on course for the Championship, 4 goals in the same game vs Newcastle and a season total of 22 goals.The fact is that throughout his career Andy Cole has scored consistently no matter who his strike partner.The only real downer is his inexplicable absence from the England team, all he can do is keep scoring and hope Keegan gives him a chance.

Appearances with United 1995-2000
Total League 139(26)
Total FA Cup 18(2)
Total League Cup 2
Total Europe 32(4)
Total 191(32)

Goals Scored with United 1995-2000
Total League 80
Total FA Cup 9
Total 103
Total Europe 14
Total League Cup 0


http://dnausers.d-n-a.net/dnetmQXk/playerpages/eurofinal62.jpg

profile and picture courtesy of manutdzone.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3617/stiles1zf.jpg
Norbert "Nobby" Peter Stiles MBE

Norbert "Nobby" Peter Stiles MBE, (born Collyhurst, Manchester, 18 May 1942), was the toothless midfield ballwinner of England's 1966 World Cup winning side.

Stiles grew up in Collyhurst , a working class, heavily Irish Catholic neighbourhood of north Manchester. He supported Manchester United and his talent was swiftly recognised when he played for England Schoolboys at the age of 15. He achieved a childhood ambition when, in the same year, the club he supported gave him an apprenticeship.

He was an unlikely footballer in many ways - he was very small, at a time when teenagers were being rejected by clubs purely because of their lack of height; he was also a wearer of dentures (the removal of which prior to matches gave him a gap-toothed expression which had the potential to scare) after having his real teeth forcibly ripped out during a match; and he suffered from severe shortsightedness, meaning he needed strong contact lenses when playing and wore thick spectacles off the field.

Nevertheless, Manchester United manager Matt Busby saw something in the tenacious youngster, and Stiles was given his debut as a full back in October 1960 against Bolton Wanderers.

Stiles' simple passing game and fearless ball-winning skills saw his swift conversion into a "holding" midfield player of a type now a feature of all top teams but still a rarity at a time when forward lines consisted of five players and the midfield was restricted to covering half-backs. Stiles was deployed in the middle of the park to snuff out the flair and peril of creative opponents, and this he did with much success. His ability to gain and retain possession also allowed his more skilled team-mates like Bobby Charlton and, later, George Best more space on the park to utilise.

That said, Busby was not afraid to sacrifice Stiles when required and when United beat Leicester City 3-1 in the 1963 FA Cup final, Stiles wasn't picked for the game. He began to make more frequent appearance in the seasons ahead, however, and won the First Division title in 1965. The same year, his country came calling.

With England hosting the World Cup in 1966, manager Alf Ramsey had no competitive qualifying campaign to prepare, and therefore he spent the prior two years meticulously assessing players in friendly matches and British Home Championship games. With Bobby Charlton the only certainty for his World Cup midfield, he needed to create a trio of players to complement the Manchester United attacker and among those was the requirement for a "spoiler". Stiles was tested out for this role in a 2-2 draw against Scotland at Wembley on April 10, 1965. He kept his place for eight of the next nine internationals, scoring the only goal in a Wembley win against West Germany along the way, and his place in the starting XI for the tournament seemed set in stone by the time Ramsey confirmed his 22.

Stiles won his 15th cap as England kicked off the competition with a dour goalless draw against Uruguay and maintained his place as the uncompromising hardman playing ahead of the back four and making sure there was space and time for the likes of Charlton ahead of him. With Stiles not missing a minute, England progressed through the group with wins over Mexico and France and then scraped past a violent Argentina side in the last eight.

In the semi final, Stiles did a decidedly effective man-marking job on the Portugal playmaker and prolific goalscorer Eusebio to the extent that the enigmatic and immensely skilled player was essentially nullified for the whole match, which England won 2-1. Purists bemoaned the lack of prettiness but realists congratulated Stiles on his desire to win the battle without resorting to dirtier tricks. Ramsey, on being asked by a journalist about the way he'd instructed Stiles to "deal with" Eusebio, questioned and objected to the terminology used, though he knew exactly why the reporter had referred to Stiles' display in such a manner. When all was said and done, their best opponent barely got a kick (except to score Portugal's late penalty) and England were in the final.

Stiles, winning his 20th cap, had no man-marking brief against West Germany but played a strong, tough match as England saw a 2-1 lead levelled with the last kick of the game before Geoff Hurst completed football's most famous hat-trick to win the competition in extra time. Though no abiding memory of Stiles' on-pitch display lingers in the memory (which, in his position, was a sign that he'd played superbly), there was a post-match image which lived on for decades - the sight of him doing an involuntary, spontaneous jig with the Jules Rimet Trophy in his hand while holding his false teeth in the other. Thirty years later this moment would be referred to by Frank Skinner and David Baddiel in the lyrics to Three Lions, the England theme song written with the Lightning Seeds for Euro 96.

Stiles played in the next four internationals but was deemed to have performed poorly as England lost infamously to Scotland at Wembley in 1967 and was dropped by Ramsey. He won his second League championship medal with Manchester United in the same year, but greater club honours were to come.

United reached the European Cup final in 1968, which was to be staged at Wembley, and Stiles' old nemesis Eusebio was again someone he had to deal with as part of a fearsome attacking potential posed by opponents Benfica. Stiles' played well without keeping Eusebio wholly quiet, and with the score at 1-1 and just a few minutes left, the Portuguese legend got away from the United defence with just goalkeeper Alex Stepney to beat, yet only managed to slam the ball straight into Stepney's midriff. United won 4-1 and became the first English club to lift Europe's main trophy.

Stiles was selected for the England squad which contested the 1968 European Championships but the holding role in midfield had been taken by Tottenham Hotspur's Alan Mullery. England went out to Yugoslavia in the semi finals, during which Mullery became the first ever England player to receive a red card. Stiles was recalled for the otherwise meaningless third place play-off game against the USSR, but it was clear that despite his misdemeanour, Mullery was now Ramsey's first choice.

Stiles played just once for England in 1969 and twice in 1970. He was selected by Ramsey for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico but only as Mullery's understudy, and not only did he not get a kick during the competition as England surrendered the title in the quarter final, he never played for his country again. He ended with 28 caps - ultimately the least capped member of the 1966 XI - and one goal.

After 392 matches and 19 goals, Manchester United sold Stiles in 1971 to Middlesbrough for 20,000 pounds. Two years later, he became a player-coach at Preston North End when Bobby Charlton was manager, though this did not work out for Charlton, and Stiles ended up as manager from 1977 to 1981.

Stiles joined the exodus of ageing and semi-retired European players to the NASL in 1981, playing for Vancouver Whitecaps. Three years on and he finally gave up playing.

On September 29, 1985 Stiles took over as manager of West Bromwich Albion; however, he was sacked the following February after the sides managed only three wins under his leadership, and this would prove to be his final stab at management. He later revealed his struggle with depression while in the job, finding it tough to cope with working in the Midlands and the daily commute from Manchester, where his family lived.

Between 1989 and 1993 he worked for Manchester United as their youth team coach, developing the considerable skills of teenage prodigies such as David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers.

In 2000, Stiles was awarded his MBE after a campaign by sections of the media who were surprised that five of the 1966 team had never been officially decorated for their achievements. Stiles duly joined Alan Ball, Roger Hunt, Ray Wilson and George Cohen in collecting his gong.

Blame the Wiki formatting...

In conclusion:

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1960/stiles3h2lw.jpg
Random < Nobby

[billyireland]

http://red11.org/mufc/images/denniscapt.jpg
Dennis Viollet
Striker

One of the most prolific goal-scorers in Old Trafford history Dennis Viollet was a goal scoring machine. Viollet was slim, perhaps even frail of appearance, but with lightning pace and top quality control he which could slice through the best defences like a knife through butter. His appearance was deceptive and any defence that underestimated him soon paid the consequences.

He also had the distribution and all round ability to succeed in deep-lying positions which he did at times for United and, later in his career with Stoke City. His only discernible flaw was a lack of aerial ability, however when playing alongside the likes of Tommy Taylor this was not a problem.

One of the original Busby Babes that conquered England in 1956 and 57, together with Taylor he formed a lethal combination. In 1959/60 he really did demonstrate his quality, firing in 32 goals in 36 League matches, more strikes in one season campaign than any United player before or up to the present day. His record still stands and is unlikely to be beaten, the scale of his great achievement is that he outscored other greats such as Jack Rowley, Stan Pearson, Tommy Taylor, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best.

Born in Manchester, Viollet was a product of the United youth team whom Busby eyed as a replacement for aging striker, Stan Pearson. Once an established first team regular in 1953, Viollet, together with his partner-in-goals Tommy Taylor, terrorised First Division defences. Viollet loved the space created by the bustling Taylor who, in turn, scored off the opportunities fashioned by his cohort.

The England manager only selected half of the super United double-act in Tommy Taylor but if England fans were denied the chance of his great talents, United supporters faced no such deprivation in those glorious adventurous pre-Munich days. Anyone who doubted that Dennis was an outstanding performer in his own right was soon answered with proof after Tommy was killed and Dennis made that goal-scoring record. In 1958 he was one of the players who journeyed to Belgrade for the quarter-finals of the European Cup, scoring one of the goals in a 3-3 draw. Viollet escaped the blazing wreckage at Munich Airport, with injuries which were initially thought to be career threatening.

By 1962 Busby was creating a new United team and Viollet was surprisingly transferred to Stoke in January 1962. Later he went to Irish League Linfield, before completing his football career in the United States NASL where he later became a coach. Dennis Viollet died in March 1999 aged 65. Bobby Charlton said of him "I'm delighted his record has still not been broken, its the perfect way to remember him". Viollet was a 1950's Dwight Yorke or Denis Law, a goal scorer worthy of the great places in Manchester United history.

Games: 291
Goals: 178

[GrodZilla]

Tommy Taylor

http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/TommyTaylor.jpg



Full Name: Thomas Taylor

Date of Birth: 29th Jan 1932

Place of Birth: Barnsley

Position: Forward

Height: 6ft 4

Games: 189

Goals: 128

Tommy Taylor ran through brick walls to score goals and woe betide any centre half who got in the way. He could out-jump the opposition to create chances and steal the winner. Taylor only played 19 times for England but there would have been many more had it not been for the tragedy at Munich that robbed him of his life at only 26. One of England's all-time great goal-scorers, a look at his games-to goals record shows he averaged well over a goal every two games.

His greatest ability was for aerial combat, in which he was the best in the land. Towering above other players Taylor could propel the ball with his forehead like a bullet and with supreme accuracy as well.

A physical giant of a player, he had excellent ball control and movement which made him and partner up front, Dennis Viollet, the Yorke and Cole of the 1950s. Taylor was also a brave and committed player who had buckets of stamina and drive to keep going for the whole 90 minutes.

Tommy began his football playing for a local coal mining team at the Colliery where he worked. At the age of 16, local scouts spotted his ability and gave him a chance with local side, Barnsley. After impressive displays up front for The Tykes, Tommy was brought to Old Trafford for what was a record fee of £29,999 - Matt Busby did not want him burdened with a £30,000 noose and gave the extra pound to a tea lady. Like a Dwight Yorke or Eric Cantona, United had got one hell of a bargain.

Taylor got off to a flier of a start and became a firm favorite of the fans and team-mates, scoring twice on his debut. By the end of the 1952/53 season he had 7 goals in just 11 games. With Taylor, United and the Busby Babes swept to two League titles in 1956 and 57 in a manner that captured the hearts and imaginations of football fans across Britain. Taylor also scored in the 1957 FA Cup final when United were denied the "Double" because of a terrible refereeing decision that left them with 10-men for most of the game.

In his 19 full international appearances he scored an amazing 16 goals. Many saw him as England's direct replacement for Bolton legend Nat Lofthouse. When Inter Milan made a whopping offer of £65,000 for Taylor in 1957, Busby refused to part with the him, as money just couldn't buy what Taylor was worth. When Taylor was killed at Munich in Feburary 1958 he was only 26, at the peak of his career. Nowadays, whenever the all-time greats are talked about, the name Tommy Taylor does not often appear, but in the history of Manchester United, he was a great player. One of the best forwards the club has ever seen, his career will be remembered in United history for a long time to come.

Profile from manutdzone.com

[Dark Savante]

Johnp selects:

http://www.thebusbybabes.com/biogs/whelan.jpg


Liam Whelan

Name: Liam (Billy) Whelan
Position: CAM/S.S
Date of Birth : 01/04/1935
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 11st 11lbs
GAMES

96

GOALS

52

HONOURS

League Championship: 55/6, 56/7


INTERNATIONAL RECORD

4 Republic of Ireland Caps (56-57)

OTHER CLUBS

Home Farm (Ire)




Liam Whelan was a soccer artist whose brains moved faster than his legs. On the ball he could look awkward, even clumsy, yet he had the knack of ghosting past opponent after opponent with the merest of shimmies. And once within shooting distance he was a man to respect, as his record of better than a goal every two games testifies. Indeed, in 1956/57 Liam netted 33 times in 53 senior outings - and he wasn't even playing as an out-and-out front man.

A vivid example of his talent came in the quarter-final of the European Cup in Bilbao that same season. He picked the ball up deep, shuffled half the length of the pitch leaving five defenders in his wake and scored with precision.

The quietly-spoken insidc-forward, whose engagingly modtet personality was never altered by his success with Unitcd and the Republic of Ireland, played his football with a deceptively relaxed air. Certainly there was nothing casual about his work in the penalty area and he could be especially lethal with his back to goal. One of soccer's more persuasive dummy salesmen, he found an unwilling customer in the shape of a bemused Wrexham defender in January 1957. The subtle flick, which found the net when no danger seemed imminent, was the work of a conjuror.

If this dream of a dribbler had only possessed pace he would have ranked as one of football's all-time greats, even though his career - and his life - ended at Munich. As it was Liam didn't always get the credit he deserved and didn't realise just how good he was.

United's coaching staff, however, were under no such misapprehension, right from the moment he was signed as an l8-year-old from Home Farm with the urgent initial task of replacing the injured John Doherty in the 1953 FA Youth Cup Final against Wolves. Liam - or Billy as he quickly became known to Mancunians - starred in a 7-1 first-leg victory and was marked down for an illustrious future. Indeed, so eyecatching were his gifts that, following a fabulous display in a youth tournament in Switzerland, the club received a discreet inquiry from Brazil about his availability. Needless to say, further interest was not encouraged.

The boy's development continued apace; soon he was a major creative and goal scoring force at senior level and the honours began to mount. Yet such was the wealth of talent available to Matt Busby in that glorious era that, at the time of the Munich disaster, the 22-year-old Dubliner was being kept out of the side by one of his closest friends, Bobby Charlton. Of course, he had so much to give that, sooner or later, he must have reclaimed a place, even if it had not been at Bobby's expense.

Liam was a devout Roman Catholic and, to the last, his faith never wavered. As United's plane made its fateful third attempt at take-off from that slushy German runway, he was heard to murmur: `If the worst happens I am ready for death......I hope we all are.' The tragedy was that the soccer world was far from ready to lose Liam Whelan.

From: thebusbybabes.com

http://www.btinternet.com/~c.beirne/images/liam_whelan.jpg

[SirManchester]

http://www.manutdzone.com/playerpages/garyn2.jpg

GARY NEVILLE

DATE OF BIRTH: 18TH FEBRUARY 1975

POSITION: RIGHT BACK

HEIGHT: 5''10'

CAREER HISTORY:

After playing for both Bury and Greater Manchester Schoolboys, Gary Neville joined Manchester United on schoolboy forms in July 1991 and signed as a professional eighteen months later in January 1993.

He was a part of the successful Youth team of 1992 and 1993 which produced several players for the senior squad. Gary made his first appearance for United in the UEFA Cup in September 1992 against Torpedo Moscow. During the 1994-95 season, Neville became a regular in United's first team, replacing the injured Paul Parker at full-back. He then suffered the disappointment of an FA Cup Final defeat in 1995 with United losing 1- 0 to Everton.

However, the following season in 1996, Neville collected both League Championship and FA Cup medals. A member of England's unlucky Euro '96 squad, Gary played in every game apart from the semi-final when he was suspended. Neville added another League Championship medal in 1997, but the 1998 season was to prove a disappointment with the title going to Arsenal. In the summer of 1998 he represented England in the World Cup in France, playing in three of their four matches.

A local lad who supported the team as a boy, Neville represents the die-hard spirit. You can see how much he loves Manchester United by the way he kisses his badge after any successful victory or goal scored. The United fans have be known to sing (to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down) "Gary Neville, he's a red, he hates Scousers!!!"

He found himself starting the 1998-99 season in central defence instead of his usual right-back position. Mainly because of injuries to Johnsen and Berg, United's defence was decidedly dodgy for a period. When he assumed his favored right-back role, United soon began to tighten up the defence and mount a surge towards the treble.

Gary has a great relationship with best friend David Beckham in which he puts in crosses on the overlap while Beckham moves into central midfield on attacks. Lets not forget of course, his long throw-in technique, which is almost as good as a corner.

Neville is a great ball-winner who has become an invaluable member of the United first team. A very reliable, composed player who is rarely injured, he is always one of the players with the highest total appearances every season. That year, he even managed to score against Everton, the second goal of his


RECENT HISTORY:


Like the United defence as a whole, Neville had a mixed season in 1999-2000. His usual solid reliability came into question on numerous occasions, most prominently during the World Club Championship in Brazil when his blunders gifted Vasco Da Gama two goals.

However Neville accepted his errors and worked hard to regain his form and help United to the title. 2000-2001 saw a much improved United defence that conceded less goals than any other Premiership team. In Jaap Stam's absence through injury, Gary played with assurance in central defence and made more appearances than any other player during the season.
The following season with Ronny Johnsen and Wes Brown injured for large parts, Neville was again deployed in central defence with Laurent Blanc on many occasions. Unfortunately in the Semi-final with Leverkusen, by bizarre coincidence Gary picked up the same metatarsal bone injury that afflicted David Beckham. This left United's right wing badly weakened at a vital time in the season and the severity of the injury meant Neville missed out on England's 2002 World Cup challenge. Gary returned for the new season but the opening months did not run smoothly for United and it reached a new low when Manchester City won the local derby 3-1 at Maine Road. Neville made an error that gifted the second goal and was amongst those up for a scolding by fans and media alike. However after that game he knuckled down with the rest of the lads to produce a run of form that would drive United to the title.

He was even appointed captain for some games when Roy Keane was injured. Season 2003-2004 saw him added another two goals to his scoring record and a headbutt incident with Manchester City's Steve McManaman only further enhanced his reputation as a true red.

There is plenty of football left in Gary Neville and at the same time he is a player of vast experience. It may be a surprise to many that Gary holds the record for the number of appearances in the Champions League (90). At heart he really is just a typical United fan who has been lucky enough to become a player.

And whilst Sir Alex has invested heavily in new defensive signings in recent seasons, Neville remains one of the first names on his team sheet every week. He was awarded a 5 year contract in July 2004 (along with brother Phil) setting up his career at Old Trafford for the rest of the decade.


LEAGUE APPEARANCES: 301 GOALS: 5
FA CUP APPEARANCES: 36 GOALS: 0
LEAGUE CUP APPEARANCES: 11 GOALS: 0
EUROPE APPEARANCES: 91 GOALS: 2

HONOURS WITH UNITED:

1992 F.A. Youth Cup - Winner
1996 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1996 F.A. Cup - Winner
1996 F.A. Charity Shield - Winner
1997 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1997 F.A. Charity Shield - Winner
1999 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1999 F.A. Cup - Winner
1999 European Champions League - Winner
1999 Intercontinental Cup - Winner
2000 F.A. Premier League - Winner
[2001 F.A. Premier League - Winner
2003 F.A. Premier League - Winner
2004 F.A. Cup - Winner

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

courtesy of manutdzone and fussballdaten

[Stud83]

Pat (Paddy) Crerand

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38166000/jpg/_38166615_final_allsp_300.jpg


D.O.B. 19/2/39
City of Birth: Glasgow
Weight: 76.64 kg
Height: 178 cm
Appearances with Club
401
Goals Scored with Club
15
International Caps
16 (Scotland)


PADDY CRERAND has been described as the Roy Keane of the 1960s, but ask anyone who played alongside the Celtic and Manchester United legend and they'll tell you it's Keane who should be flattered by the comparison.

Crerand himself is a big fan of the current Manchester United captain but never fails to pull rank on the younger player.

"Roy's a good friend of mine and I'm always kidding him on that he'd have struggled to get into our team," Crerand joked.

Born in Glasgow on 19th February 1939, Paddy Crerand was a typical hard Glaswegian player.

His career began with Celtic in August 1957. He spent just under six years at Celtic before signing for Manchester United for £43,000, in February 1963. Whilst at Celtic he was a Cup Finalist in 1961 and won the first of his 16 Scotland caps in the same year.

"The day I signed for Manchester United was the fifth anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster," Crerand explained. "Everyone in Glasgow knew about United, especially after the tragedy, when you think about all the great players who died."

Three months later he appeared at Wembley, giving an immaculate display against Leicester City in United`s FA Cup triumph. Extremely hard working Crerand was usually to be found where the action was thickest. He was also a fine springboard for counter attacks, always likely to catch opponents unawares by the accuracy and vision of his long-ball passing.
Talk to a supporter who watched the team in the 1960's and they will tell you that it was Paddy who made the team tick. They will tell you that when Paddy played well the rest of the team followed suit. Testament to his ability and popularity with the Old Trafford faithful.

After retiring from football half way through the 1971-2 season, he joined United's coaching staff, being promoted to assistant manager a year later.

Nowadays you are most likely to see Paddy Crerand if you attend a match. A die in the wool Red he still follows the fortunes of Manchester United and working as a commentator for a local radio station

With UNITED in addition to his FA Cup medal in 63, he won League
Championships in 1965 & 1967 and was a European Cup winner in 1968.


Courtesy:
http://www.manutd.com
http://www.celticfc.co.uk

[Dark Savante]

benni chooses:

http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/flyinghughes.jpg

Mark Leslie Hughes
Date of Birth 1st Nov 1963
Place of Birth Wrexham, Wales
Position Forward
Height 5ft 9

Honours with United

1994 F.A. Cup
1994 F.A. Premier League
1993 F.A. Premier League
1992 League Cup
1991 European Cup Winners Cup
1990 F.A. Cup
1985 F.A. Cup

Mark Hughes must go down as one of the most exciting and talented forwards in the modern era of English football. A scorer of some truly spectacular goals, especially with his glorious bicycle kick, "Sparky" Hughes was the sort of player that ensured a game was never dull. One of his great talents was holding the ball up while waiting for his team mates to arrive as the oncoming reinforcements. In fact such was his strength and power it seemed he could hold onto that ball forever and his opponents still wouldn't get it off him.

This enabled United to create the fast-flowing counter attack that characterised the team in the early to mid 1990s. Chuck the ball at him and it would stick to his chest, head, thigh or arse. He loved the way that opponents would just bounce off him and if they got in to close he could turn quickly, leaving them for dead to fire in a lethal shot. He was also a great passer with an ability to drop off deep and act as a playmaker. And who could forget that fiery Welsh temper that would sometimes emerge in the heat of battle.

Born in Wrexham, he joined United as a Youth team player and quickly rose to the first team as a prolific goal-scorer in United's infamous 1984 season. The club roared off to a ten point lead at the start of the season but form deserted the team and Hughes with United finishing a disappointing 4th. Hughes' talents now made him one of the hottest talents in England. After winning an FA Cup medal in 1985 and PFA Young Player of the Year award he attracted the attention of Europe's big clubs.
He was sold to Barcelona in 1986 for £2 million, however the intense pressure of the giant Nou-Camp crowds and huge expectations made for unhappy times - Hughes would get his revenge on Barca's fans in 1991. He even went out on loan to Bayern Munich for a time but it was clear his future lay back in England.



Alex Ferguson was first in the queue when Barca put Hughes up for sale and brought him back to United in 1988 for £1.6 million. It was business as usual as Hughes returned to his best form again. His excellent form meant he won PFA Player of the Year in both 1989 and 1991. Hughes soon became an established International for Wales playing over 65 times. (After a year as their team captain, in 1999 he took over from Bobby Gould as Welsh Manager)

However, it was his wondrous goals that fans loved the most. They are too many to list, but his best include the amazing bicycle kick for Wales against Spain, a superb narrow-angled winner in the Cup Winners' Cup Final against Barcelona, the looping 25-yarder lashed home against Manchester City in 1989, a belter at home to Sheffield Wednesday in 1994 and the volley to equalise against Oldham in the desperate last seconds of the 1994 FA Cup semi-final, the goal that saved United's 1994 season during the peak of his career. Hughes also scored twice in the 1990 FA Cup Final and the 3rd goal against Chelsea in the 1994 Final.

In the mid and late 1980s when Manchester United were at a low ebb, Sparky was something to be proud of, a class act that any great team would love to have. When the glory years of Cantona arrived, Hughes deservedly got his starring role in the limelight and was an integral part of the two League title wins and Double of 1994. It was claimed on Cantona's arrival that the two would never work together, yet the Hughes-Cantona partnership worked brilliantly from the start.

Then, aged 32 Alex Ferguson unexpectedly sold him in the summer of 1995 to Chelsea, where he went on to win the FA Cup and become the only player to ever win four FA Cup winner's medals. At the time United fans were as angry with the manager as perhaps they have ever been, for selling the man who had been an Old Trafford icon for over a decade. Seeing Mark Hughes in the blue of Chelsea and Everton or stripes of Southampton has never seemed quite right. He will always be remembered marauding through defences in the red of his beloved Manchester United, as Alex Ferguson once said "A warrior you could trust with your life".

Hughes's United Record
1983-86 & 1988-95

Appearances Goals
League 336 (9) 120
FA Cup 45 (1) 18
League Cup 37 (1) 16
Europe 30 (3) 9
Total 448 (14) 163

manutdzone.com

[ASUCruz]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00191/Ole_Gunnar_Solskj_r_191616s.jpg

Born: 26 February 1973

Nickname: The Babyfaced Assasin

Position: Striker/Support Striker/Right Midfield

Caps:

Norway 62 (1995-2004) / 21 goals

Apperances for United

213 Games / 85 Goals

Honours with United

1997 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1997 F.A. Charity Shield - Winner
1999 F.A. Premier League - Winner
1999 F.A. Cup - Winner
1999 European Champions League - Winner
1999 Intercontinental Cup - Winner
2000 F.A. Premier League - Winner
2001 F.A. Premier League - Winner
2003 F.A. Premier League - Winner
2003 F.A. Charity Shield - Winner
2004 F.A. Cup - Winner

Profile

When Alex Ferguson failed to sign Alan Shearer, he settled for this then-unknown Norwegian striker. Solskjær had scored 31 goals in 42 matches for Molde F.K. in the Norwegian Premier League, and he did not disappoint at the start of his United career, scoring six minutes into his debut as a substitute against Blackburn in the Premiership.

Solskjær scored 18 Premiership goals for United in the first season, helping United win the title in the last weeks of the season. The British media nicknamed him the "Baby-Faced Assassin" because of his youthful looks and his deadly finishing. He will perhaps be best remembered as a "super-sub", having earned wide acclaim for a remarkable habit of coming into matches late on as a substitute and scoring vital goals. One of his most impressive feats was coming off the bench to score four goals in the last seventeen minutes of United's 8-1 thrashing of Nottingham Forest,although, this was not United's biggest win.

Ole enjoys life at Old Trafford and didn't leave the club when an offer of £5.5m came from Spurs, among others in 1998. United fans were eternally grateful, as the slightly-built Norwegian went on to score the winning goal in the Champions League Final in 1999, securing the astonishing Treble and cementing his own place in United folklore. These feats, as well as his likeable demeanour, have made Solskjær a firm fans' favourite, inspiring many songs from "Who Put the Ball in the Germans' Net?" to "You Are My Solskjær". Songs in Solskjær's honour are still frequently sung during United games, in spite of his recent longstanding injury. Only Eric Cantona and Roy Keane have a similar standing with United supporters.

Solskjær finally got the chance as a starter in 2001/02, alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy, and he took the chance with characteristic incisiveness, forcing Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke onto the subs bench, in his usual place.

By 2002/03, both Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke had left Old Trafford and Solskjær had only the hardly-prolific Diego Forlán to compete with for places, but Ferguson's persistence on playing Ruud van Nistelrooy up front on his own meant that opportunities were still limited.

However, he still got his chance when David Beckham picked up an injury and the versatile Norwegian was played on the right wing. He proved himself to be a fine crosser of the ball, and still managed to pop up with crucial goals, sixteen in total for the season. It was testament to his brilliant form that he was selected to play on the right wing in crucial matches, such as the league game against Arsenal and the Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid, while Beckham was left on the bench.

In 03-04, Solskjær found himself in and out of the United squad as he struggled with a recurring knee problem. With the arrival of Fulham's Louis Saha in January 2004, Solskjær found himself ousted from the United First team and returning to his original 'supersub' mantle, or indeed moving to an attacking midfield position. Solskjær returned from injury in time to appear in the 2004 FA Cup final, which United won. However, the arrival of Alan Smith in the summer of 2004 led to rumours that he was to leave Old Trafford, touted as one of several names, along with Nicky Butt (who eventually went to Newcastle United) and David Bellion offered as part-exchange for the impressive Wayne Rooney. He underwent intensive knee surgery in early August 2004 which has resulted in him missing the entire 04-05 Premiership season. Despite United's heavyweight strikeforce conceivably limiting the 32-year-old's chances of playing even when he is fit again, the Old Trafford faithful still hope to see him play for United again; indeed, he has an almost fanatical loyalty from many United fans.

To show Solskjær that he has not been forgotten while out injured, the United faithful have added a banner to the famous collection that lines the Stretford End reading "20LEGEND" (Solskjær wears number 20 for United.) Solskjær further enhanced his reputation amongst United fans when he became a patron of the fans action group Shareholders United.

Solskjær made his long-awaited return to action on December 5, 2005, playing for United's reserves against Liverpool. [1] The popular Norwegian's comeback was witnessed by 2,738 spectators - above average for a reserve team match. He made his first-team return as a substitiute in United's match against Birmingham City on 28 December. He then finally made his first start in more than a year in United's FA cup match against Burton Albion before playing a full game as captain in the replay.

Profile courtesy of Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ole_Gunnar_Solskjaer

http://www.nrk.no/img/298884.jpeg

[Numquam Moribimur]

http://www.manutdzone.com/legends/Mcclair2.jpg


Full Name Brian McClair
Date of Birth 8th Dec 1963
Place of Birth Airdrie
Position Forward
Height 5ft 9
United debut 15/8/1987
vs So'ton (A)
.....
McClair's United Record 1987-1998

Appearances Goals
League 296 (59) 88
FA Cup 38 (7) 14
League Cup 44 (1) 19
Europe 17 (6) 5
Total 395 (73) 126


McClair's International Record
1985-1993

27 Caps for Scotland - 2 Goals

Honours with United

1997 F.A. Premier League
1996 F.A. Premier League
1996 F.A. Cup
1994 F.A. Cup
1994 F.A. Premier League
1993 F.A. Premier League
1992 League Cup
1991 European Cup Winners Cup
1990 F.A. Cup


Brian McClair was a devoted servant of Manchester United for 11 years. Born in Airdrie on 8th December 1963, he began his career with Aston Villa as an apprentice, but after only 12 months he moved to Motherwell in August 1981. There he combined his football with studying mathematics at Glasgow University (where he obtained a degree) and in June 1983 he signed for Celtic in a £75,000 deal. At Celtic he won a Scottish Cup medal in 1985 and the League Championship in 1986. The following year he was voted Scotland's Player of the Year. His 99 goals in 145 League games had caught the attention of United manager Alex Ferguson, who brought him to Old Trafford in the summer of 1987 for a fee of £850,000.

Brian McClair was an instant success at Old Trafford which, after previous failures like Gary Birtles, had gained a reputation for being a striker's grave yard. McClair scored 24 goals in his first season becoming the first player since George Best to score over 20 League goals in one season. With a ruthless eye for goal and great awareness of opposing defenders The Scotsman was a potent force in English football and alongside Mark Hughes he paved the way for much of United's early success in the 1990's.

McClair won two FA Cup winners' medals, four League Championships, the European Cup Winners' Cup, and a League Cup winners' medal - scoring the only goal in the final in the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. He also scored the last goal in the 4-0 win over Chelsea in the 1994 Final. Brian was also a full international and was a part of the Scotland squad which went to the European Championships in Sweden in 1992.
With the arrival of Eric Cantona McClair was frequently preferred in an attacking midfield position just behind the forwards, but he still never lost his scoring touch. He took a back seat over the last couple of seasons what with the youth players and Andy Cole taking centre stage but Alex Ferguson no doubt valued having a fellow Scot to confide in - as well as a great player who was willing to sit out games on the bench.


After he left United in 1998, McClair had a spell back in Scotland with Motherwell and then became a coach with Brian Kidd at Blackburn Rovers. That didn't work out as Rovers were relegated and both were eventually sacked. However, in 2001 McClair returned to the Old Trafford fold in the role of Manchester United Reserve team manager.
In his playing career, Brian McClair's biggest contribution was probably that he was able to lay to rest claims that high profile strikers were doomed to fail at United. "Choccy" (McClair sounds like a chocolate eclair) was a cult figure because he was such a nice bloke and was the fans admired his long standing loyalty to the club. He will be remembered as one of the modern greats at the club.

manutdzone.com

[Father Ted]

Father Ted selects..


Martin Buchan

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_football/BUCHAN_Martin_1978_GH_L.jpg

Nationality : Scotland
Date of Birth : 6/3/1949
Appearances : 455
Goals Scored : 4

Buchan cost a record £125,000 but was worth every penny. Frank O'Farrell brought him to England from Aberdeen in March 1972 to form the cornerstone of a new United defence. By then, though still only 23, Martin had played for his country, captained his club, won a Scottish Cup medal and been voted Scottish player of the year.

For a man of quality and maturity beyonf his years, United gladly paid the £125,000, and rarely have they struck a better bargain.He saw the club through the bad times of relegation and the good times of winning the 1977 FA Cup in which he was exceptional during the final versus Liverpool in United's 2-1 victory. After 1977 United were back challenging at the top of the first division again, though title glory remained elusive.

Buchan was to spend over 11 years at Old Trafford, 6 of them as captain. He played in three cup finals, eventually leaving in 1983 after injury problems cost him his first team place. For a decade the Scotsman stood alone as Manchester United's most important player. The Aberdeen man must go down as one of United's greatest captains, a cool, classy defender and great leader

[listen_up_fergie]

Paul McGrath

http://www.uglyfootballers.com/content/images/footballers/80%27s/paul%20mcgrath/images/mcgrath04.jpg

PROFILE

D.O.B.: 4/12/59
Nationality: Great Britain (UK)
City of Birth: Ealing, London, 4/12/1959
Weight: 85.26 kg
Height: 188 cm
Position: Defender
Appearances with Club: 199
Goals Scored with Club: 16
International Caps: 83 (Rep. Ireland)
International Goals: 8


In a perfect world, Paul Mcgrath would be recognised as one of the most accomplished British defenders in living memory. This Utopia would have no room for injuries or personal problems; a player would be free to express his talents untrammelled by life's frustrating realities. But there lies the rub in the case of the London-born Republic of Ireland centre-half.
There has never been any doubting the ability of Paul Mcgrath. It had been blindingly apparent to Ron Atkinson in April 1982 when he paid Dublin club St Patrick's Athletic £30,000 for the unknown youngster. The United manager was not exactly short of central defenders at the time with the likes of McQueen, Moran and Buchan on his books but he predicted that his strapping acquisition could out do them all.

Paul was strong, fast, good in the air and skilful with both feet. It seemed that all he lacked was experience. Accordingly, he made his debut the following season and impressed both at the back, where he showed every sign of developing into a dominant force, and in midfield, where his rather ungainly gait tended to conceal his all-round competence.

For the next two years Paul's appearance record, not helped by injuries, was intermittent and it was not until the second half of 1984/85 - culminating in a classy FA Cup Final performance against Everton - that he really came into his own. His confidence grew and, despite an occasional penchant for ball-watching, Paul matured into one of the outstanding centre-halves in the First Division.

In 1987 he played for the Football League - in its centenary showpiece against the rest of the World and many observers made him man of the match. It was only a friendly but such was his poise and power when confronted by Maradona and company that soon his name was being linked with some of the top clubs in Europe. But instead of being a platform for glory with the Red Devils, the occasion proved something of a watershed in his fortunes. Knee problems plagued the Irishman with increasing regularity and off-the-pitch difficulties contributed to his woe, leading to lurid newspaper headlines and an acrimonious transfer request.

This was granted but any immediate move was scuppered by a series of cartilage operations and Paul was given the chance to rebuild his Old Trafford career. For three months in the spring of 1989 he appeared to be making the most of the opportunity, and all who marched beneath the United banner were hoping against hope that he would succeed. They knew - and no one was more aware of it than Alex Ferguson - that a willing and able Paul McCrath was an asset of rare quality.

But then the Irishman was involved in another spectacular incident, which proved one too many for the patience of the Old Trafford boss, and that summer Paul was transferred to Aston Villa for a cut-price £450,000. It was a last chance and, to his eternal credit, he grasped it avidly. Often the pain in those long-suffering knees precluded training, but invariably match days found him performing at his best. In 1992/93, when Villa pushed United so hard for the League title, Paul was voted the players' player of the year; and though there were tales, still, of the occasional scrape, he had salvaged plenty from a career that had been heading, rapidly and unnecessarily, off the rails.

How deeply ironic, too, that as United hunted desperately for an experienced central defender during an injury crisis nearly four seasons later, the 37-year-old McGrath, who had moved on to Derby County, continued to turn in outstanding Premiership performances. If only...

Courtesy of redcafe.net and manutd.com

[listen_up_fergie]

Luigi "Lou" Macari

http://www.mu-fc.net/images/l.macari.jpg

PROFILE

Nationality: Scotland
Date of Birth: 4/6/1959
Appearances: 373 (27)
Goals Scored: 97

Lou Macari had a way about him. A stylish and crowd pleasing inside forward throughout the eary 1970s, the Scot from Italian parentage underlined Manchester United’s swashbuckling style of football throughout the decade and despite a knack for courting controversy, Macari remained a popular figure at all the clubs he played for.


Having joined Celtic as a boy, he was able to look on as the Lisbon Lions won the European Cup in 1967. By the turn of the decade however, Jock Stein had built a new team and the likes of Macari and Kenny Dalglish were helping the club to more and more trophies.


By 1973, Macari had been capped by his country and as always back then, the big English clubs had got hold of his scent and came sniffing at the gates of Celtic Park.



That year, it seemed that it would be Liverpool and Bill Shankly who would secure his services. Shankly was in the market for a small, tricky forward and it seemed he had found his man, even inviting Macari to Anfield for a game as his own personal guest.


The Celtic player though had had his attention tweaked by an interested Manchester United and chose Old Trafford over Anfield the following week. Shankly would have to make do with a certain Kevin Keegan.


The fee paid by United was a massive £200,000 - the biggest ever between English and Scottish clubs at the time - and for a while it seemed the burden of that price tag might weigh too heavily on Macari’s small shoulders.


Macari struggled to find any form and off the field things were no better. He suffered a car crash and was also fined by his manager for refusing to turn out for the reserves.


It was United’s one spell in the old Second Division that finally saw the best of Macari. He chipped in with 16 goals that helped win promotion and with United back where they belonged his form continued to rise. Manager Tommy Docherty saw his game being more beneficial to the team from midfield and moved him there with positive results.


Macari helped United to the FA Cup in 1977, but as the years went by and Ron Atkinson arrived, it was time for him to move on.


He had a very successful stint as player manager at Swindon where, despite a damaging betting scandal, he helped win the club promotion.


Macari has gone on to manage a number of clubs, including his old club Celtic, without hitting the heights of his playing days.

Courtesy of nobok.co.uk

[Father Ted]

Father Ted selects....

Sammy McIlroy

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_football/McILROY_Sammy_19760309_GH_R.jpg

Birthplace: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position: Midfield
Games: 390 (28)
Goals: 71

Sammy McIlroy was Irish, had bags of talent and, when only 17, scored a fine goal against Manchester City on his debut for the Reds. So there was never any doubt with whom the media would compare him. It is to Sammy's eternal credit that he rose above the fatuous headlines about `the new George Best' and, in commendably level-headed manner, went on to build his own immensly successful United career.
The slim Ulsterman started first-team life as a striker but the fanfares following his dramatic Maine Road entrance did not win him a regular place and for a season and a half he remained on the fringe. Then a car accident sidelined him for several months and, with United desperately blooding new men in an unavailing bid to field a winning blend, his future looked rocky. He battled back into contention but it wasn't until the Second Division campaign of 1974/75 that he hit convincing form.

Though never a prolific marksman, he formed an effective partnership with Stuart Pearson which lasted for two and a half years until Jimmy Greenhoff arrived. Then Sammy moved to midfield, at the expense of Gerry Daly, and played the best football of his life. He was given a free role on the left where, despite being right-footed, he prospered for four years.

Sammy, who won nearly 9O caps, had tremendous instinctive ability and his twinkling feet could take him dancing past challenges that would floor less gifted operators. This natural nimbleness was revealed to sparkling effect two minutes from the end of the 1979 FA Cup Final. With Unitrd a goal down to Arsenal, he scurried into the area, squirmed past one defender, then nutmegged another before squeezing the ball past Pat Jennings for the equaliser. Because of the Gunners' heart-stopping response a minute later, Sammy never garnered the full credit for an inspired effort and it remains a neglected gem.

On the negative side there is little to report, though the hyper-critical might point out that he was poor in the air, not a great tackler and lacked the strength and toughness that would have made him a still more formidable all-round performer.

His character, though, was never in doubt and it spoke volumes for his approach that he retained his enthusiasm after the colossal disappointment of being discarded by Ron Atkinson when he was only 27 and barely at his peak. That was in February 1982, when he joined Stoke in a £350,000 deal, and he beavered on through spells at Manchester City, Bury and Preston before enyoying success as manager of several non-League clubs, notably Macclesfield Town.

But for all that mature endeavour, it was as a Red Devil in his youth and early prime that Sammy McIlroy knew his finest footballing hours.

[Numquam Moribimur]

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_football/SHARPE_Lee_19960331_GH_L.jpg


LEE SHARPE

Nationality
England
Date of Birth
25/5/1971
Appearances
212 (50)
Goals Scored
36

Left Wing




Bought from Torquay in 1988 for £185,000, Lee Sharpe would have been a regular first team player were it not for injury and Ryan Giggs who also played on Sharpe's prefared left-wing position.

However, he managed to win a lot of medals anyway: The 1991 Cup Winners Cup,1992 League Cup, the 1993,1994,1996 Premier League and 1994 F.A.Cup. He was famous for doing an Elvis impersonation at the corner flag when he scored a goal.

Illlness sidelinded him for much of the 1996 season and the emergence of David Beckham and Paul Scholes left little place for him in the Old Trafford first team. In 1996-97 season Sharpe was sold to Leeds United for £4.5 million and he played for Bradford City. Eventally injury took its toll and he was forced to retire from top flight football.