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

[listen_up_fergie]

David Pegg

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

PROFILE

Birthdate: 20/09/1935
Birthplace: Doncaster, England
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 11st 11lbs
Signed Trainee: 09/1950
Full International: England
Debut for Manchester United: 06/12/1952 v Middlesbrough (H) 3-2 (League Division One)
Total Apps: 148
Total Goals: 28

With Tom Finney approaching the end of his illustrious career, David Pegg was seen by many as the man most likely, in the long term, to step into his international boots. Then came Munich. Although Albert Scanlon was keeping him out of the United side at the time of the disaster, there was plainly a great deal more to come from David, who was only 22 when he died.

A onetime schoolboy prodigy who had been a target for every top club, he made his debut in 1952/53 at the age of 17. He had become one of the most respected left-wingers in the Football League when he suffered a loss of form towards the end of 1957 which let Albert in. He also enjoyed an enviable reputation in Europe, being held in particularly high regard by Real Madrid, who are said to have once signed a new defender specifically to combat his talents.

David, who twice won Championship medals, was more of a ball-playing winger than an out-and-out runner. Full-backs found him elusive to mark as he was in the habit of jinking inside where he did much of his best work. On these penetrative sorties he was such a smooth mover that he seemed to glide over the ground, yet despite this delicate grace he possessed a left-foot shot of destructive force.

He was also a precise crosser of the ball, a boon to the likes of Dennis Viollet, with whom he formed a lethal partnership on the left flank, and centre-forward Tommy Taylor.

David Pegg had won only one full cap when he lost his life but England, as much as Manchester United, were robbed of a priceless asset on that bleak February day in 1958.



Bill Foulkes: “David was always a player with a delicate touch. To me he almost seemed to tip-toe down the wing. He was not a big scorer himself but he could see the openings. I remember beating Anderlecht, the Belgian team, 10-0 in the European Cup and all the lads trying to give David a goal – but without success. He was a nice lad.”

Sir Matt Busby: “David Pegg was a great asset then and would always have been a great asset to any team because he was a natural, left-flank player. David was very, very clever. He was our best left-winger by a mile.”

Albert Scanlon: “David Pegg was the complete left-winger, a brilliant ball player.”

Courtesy of thebusbybabes.com and manutd.com

[listen_up_fergie]

Noel Cantwell

http://www.lifeinlegacy.com/2005/Sep/CantwellNoel.jpg

PROFILE

D.O.B: 28/2/32
Nationality: Ireland
City of Birth: Cork, Ireland, 28/2/1932
Weight: 83.9 kg
Height: 183 cm
Position: Full-back
Appearances with Club: 146
Goals Scored with Club: 8
International Caps: 36 (Rep. Ireland)
International Goals: 14

Noel Cantwell, who has died aged 73, was one of the best full backs of his generation, with West Ham United, with Manchester United and with the Irish international team. He guided Manchester United to the FA Cup in 1963, and was a double international, representing his country at both football and cricket.
Tall, handsome and well built, ever fluent and humorous, Cantwell was born in Cork and emerged with the local team, Cork Athletic. In the second half of the 1952-53 season he went to east London to join West Ham United, making three League appearances, but the following season saw him gain a regular place, making 22 appearances. That season also saw him win the first of his 36 international caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Cantwell was a committed and intelligent thinker about the game making West Ham his ideal club. There with him, at that time, were the likes of Malcolm Allison, later an outstanding coach with Manchester City and Crystal Palace, then a centre-half, and Phil Woosnam, a Welsh international inside-forward with a BSc degree, a background in school teaching, and subsequently a leading role in the development of professional football in the US. These three were mentors of the young Bobby Moore.
Essentially a left-back, though versatile enough in the years after he had moved, in season 1960-61, to represent Ireland at centre-forward, Cantwell was a strong header of the ball, an excellent positional player and, those were the days before the four-man defence and the overlapping full back, always eager to move upfield and have a crack at goal. He scored 16 League goals for West Ham, and another 19 for Manchester United.

At corners, he never liked to stay on the post, but, given his heading, preferred to be able to attack the corner kick as it came in. This led to a somewhat amusing episode, when playing for Manchester United. Informing the manager, Matt Busby, of his preference, he was told that someone must stand on the line and the lot fell to a young Ulsterman. who, in his confusion, took up position, in the next game, right in front of a full back who was already standing on the post! "He'll never be a great player," said Noel.

For West Ham, between 1953 and 1960, he made 245 League appearances, 33 of them when the club were promoted from the Second Division in season 1957-58 when he got four League goals. He had a notable partnership with right-back John Bond.

With Manchester United, he had 121 League appearances and was at left-back when they beat Leicester City 3-1, in the FA Cup Final of 1963. Winning his first Irish cap in 1953, he ultimately got the last of the 35 in season 1966-67, scoring 14 goals.

Retiring from the game in 1967, when he seemed able to continue to play successfully at the top level, Cantwell became manager of Coventry City, a club which at that time clung uneasily to its First Division status. Indeed, in the first of his five seasons there, Cantwell saved them from relegation by a single point, but in 1969, the team emerged as one of the more promising in the First Division.

In 1972, he became manager of Peterborough United, where he stayed for five years winning the Championship of the Fourth Division and promotion in season 1972-73. He had a second managerial spell at Peterborough between 1986 and 1988, after which he continued for a time as the club's general manager, making his home in the city. There, in 1991, he opened a pub. To his delight, he was enlisted by England's Swedish manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to go scouting for him, reporting on potential England players.

An accomplished all-round sportsman, he played seven times for Ireland's cricket team and, after Essex representatives watched him making 47 runs against the New Zealanders, was asked to join that county. Cantwell turned this down, saying that he didn't want to spend his whole year in England!

During a five-year spell in the US, with the Boston and Jacksonville professional teams. he won the Eastern Division Championship of the North American Soccer League in 1978 with the New England Teamen.

His family life was cruelly blighted when his 22-year-old son, one of his three children was killed in a car crash.

Courtesy of The Guardian (http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1565888,00.html) and manutd.com

[Father Ted]

Father Ted selects

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
aka Cristiano Ronaldo

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

Able to use either foot and play on both sides of the pitch, he attracted the attentions of Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2003, when Sporting Lisbon beat Manchester United 3–1 in the inauguration of the Alvalade XXI stadium. After the match, United's players spoke enthusiastically of the young talent that they had just played against saying they would rather have him on their team than have to play against him in the future. That was enough for Ferguson to decide that he wanted to acquire the youngster for his team, who were in the market for a right-sided midfielder, signing him for £12.24 million after recently completing the transfer of David Beckham out of the club.

Since debuting for the famous English club, Ronaldo has earned equal amounts of praise and criticism for his flashy style of play and dribbling skills. He has played primarily as a winger for United and his ability to use both feet allows him to play on either wing. He demonstrated these qualities at the 2004 FA Cup final in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, in which he starred, scoring the first goal in United's 3–0 win over Millwall.

Ronaldo made his international debut in August 2003, against Kazakhstan. He scored Portugal's only goal in their 2–1 loss to Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004 and the first goal of the semi final against the Netherlands which Portugal won 2–1. The final saw a rematch of the opening game of the tournament and again, Greece emerged victorious. The tournament ended in failure for Ronaldo and Portugal, and has been followed by a persistent failure to fulfill his obvious potential. As of yet, for all his skill and pace, Ronaldo proves far too inconsistent and the jury still remains concerning whether he is a capable successor to David Beckham and the famous number 7 shirt once worn by Old Trafford legends; Eric Cantona, George Best and Bobby Charlton.

Ronaldo represented Portugal at the 2004 Olympic Games. As of 11 June 2005, he has scored 10 goals in 24 appearances for his country. Ronaldo is currently the second highest scorer in World Cup qualification in the European zone with 7 goals so far.

On the 29th October 2005 Ronaldo scored Manchester United's 1000th Premiership goal, in a 4–1 loss at the hands of Middlesbrough. He currently has 25 goals to his name in a Manchester United Shirt.

Honours
FA Cup winner (2004)
Euro 2004 finalist (2004)
UEFA Team of the Year (2004)
FA Cup finalist (2005)
FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year (2005)

[Numquam Moribimur]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38819000/jpg/_38819257_stapleton220.jpg

Frank Stapleton

Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

Position: Forward

Games: 265 (21)

Goals: 78

Honours:
FA Cup: 82/3, 84/5

Full International:
70 Republic of Ireland Caps (76-90)

Other Clubs:
Arsenal (74/5-80/1)
Ajax (Hol) (87/8)
Derby County (loan) (87/8)
Le Havre (Fra)
Blackburn Rovers (89/90-90/1)
Anderlecht (loan) (91/2)
Huddersfield Town (91/2)
Bradford City (91/2-93/4)

Manager:
Bradford City (91-94)


When Ron Atkinson signed Frank Stapleton from Arsenal in August 1981 - after bitter negotiations which ended in the hands of a transfer tribunal - he described his £900,000 capture as the best centre- forward in Europe. Now Frank was not short of admirable attributes but, at least in retrospect, Ron's mountain of praise does seem a little steep. After all, in six years at Old Trafford the Republic of Ireland striker never exceeded 14 League goals in a season, although admittedly there was a great deal more to his game than supplying the finishing touch.
He was a majestic leader of thc line, always acutely aware of what was going on around him. This subtle talent, which involves pulling defenders out of position with selfless running and creating dangerous positions for team-mates with delicate deflections and flicks, is not a flashy one but - certainly to the degree of excellence attained by Frank - it is rare indeed.

His control was impeccable with both fret and he posszssed a fierce shot, but it is probably his power and timing in the air for which he will be best remembered. Prolific he was not, but Frank's greatest goals - his simple yet exquisitely directed header in the away draw with Dukla Prague in I983 is a cherished example - were to be savoured. Against all that, he lacked half a yard of pace and was not the deadliest snapper-up of the half, or sometimes even whole, chance.

A cool, self-possessed individual, never one to indulge overmuch in laddish bonhomie, Frank was utterly dedicated in his preparation and offered an impressive level of consistency.

That thoroughly professional approach had impressed United coaches as far back as the early 1970s, when the tall Dubliner had been on the club's books as a schoolboy, but he was allowed to slip away to Highbury and the Old Trafford bank balance suffered accordingly. In 1979 there had been a price to pay on the field, too, when Frank turned in one of his finest Arsenal performanccs in the FA Cup Final, scoring one of the goals that beat the Red Devils. Of course, four years later he redressed the balance, contributing a close- range equaliser in the first Wembley meeting with Brighton, thus becoming the first man to score for different clubs in two FA Cup Finals.

Towards the end of his United days there was speculation that he might be converted to a central defender - in emergencies he had performed creditably in that position in two finals - but it was perhaps an unrealistic thought, and in July 1987 he was freed to join Ajax of Amsterdam.

An uncomfortable, injury-stricken period followed, then service with four English clubs and one French before Frank moved into player- managership with Bradford City, only to be sacked after failing narrowly to reach the Second Division promotion play-offs in 1994.

[ASUCruz]

John Berry


http://www.mainprize.demon.co.uk/utdfront/images/berry.jpg
Born: 1 June 1926

Position: RW

Caps:

England / 4 caps

Apperances for United

273 Games 44 Goals

Honours with United

1952-Division One Championship
1956-Division One Championship
1957-Division One Championship

Profile

Johnny Berry has rather more to his game than the typical winger's bag of tricks - though he has those too. After Matt Busby spent 18 months trying to sign him, he joined the club in the 51-52 season, and has been a regular star of the side ever since.

As well as the classic winger's abilities, in particular his tremendous knack for getting to the goal-line and sending in dangerous crosses, Berry has the heart of a real competitor - many an opposing full-back has been surprised by his determination to tackle back with the best of them.

An excellent crosser of the ball, with a powerful shot, Johnny Berry was a speedy right winger with excellent ball control, who won three League Championship medals in 1952, 56 and 57. Berry was one of only two players left in the side from the Championship winning team of 1952 when United triumphed in the 1956-57 season and was also an F.A. Cup finalist in 1957. He also gained four England caps. The Munich air crash meant he never played again, such was the severity of his injuries.

[benni...]

Juan Sebastian Veron

http://ly.lygo.com/ly/manutd/wp/veron_1_800.jpg

Juan Sebastián Verón (born March 9, 1975 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine professional football player who plays as a midfielder. Since 2004, he has played for Inter Milan in the Italian top-flight division Serie A.

He is the son of Argentina striker Juan Ramón Verón, who was known as La Bruja (The Witch) and who scored against Manchester United in the 1968 World Club Championship at Old Trafford for his club Estudiantes La Plata.

In 1993 La Brujita (Little Witch) signed from school for Estudiantes de La Plata – his father's former side. In 1996 he joined Boca Juniors, playing 17 games and scoring three goals. He made his international debut for Argentina, against Poland, in the same year. Sven-Göran Eriksson signed him for Sampdoria shortly afterwards.

In 1998, after starring for Argentina in the World Cup, he signed for Parma in a £15m deal. The following year, Parma won the Coppa Italia. Eriksson then signed him again, this time for Lazio in an £18.1m deal, reportedly netting a weekly wage of £48,000. Coincidentally, he made his debut for Lazio in the Italian side's 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the European Super Cup in Monaco.

In 2000, Veron was the driving force for Lazio as they captured the scudetto, the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup. But in February the following year, the rumours about the validity of his passport caught up with him.

After the 2001 season he moved from Lazio to Manchester United on July 12 for £28.1 million in a five-year deal, the richest transfer in English football at that time. Upon signing for Manchester United, he said he had no fear of the Premiership. Unfortunately, after an impressive start, the pace of the English game started to get the better of him, as some games passed him by, and he was unable to settle into the United midfield. His future at United was constantly debated throughout the season and into the 2002 World Cup, where he again started well, but faded as Argentina fell at the first hurdle.

There was plenty of pressure on him at the start of his second season at Old Trafford, and his performances did seem improve considerably, especially in the Champions League where he scored four goals and was at the heart of United's successes in the group stages. However, injury meant that he missed much of the end of the season, and that may have convinced Sir Alex Ferguson that he could do without the Argentinean.

[Stud83]

Paul Parker

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_football/PARKER_Paul_19950819_GH_L.jpg

Paul Parker was born in West Ham on 4th April 1964.

As a schoolboy he represented Essex and Havering before being signed by Fulham on associate schoolboy forms in June 1978. Four years later he signed as a professional.

Whilst at Craven Cottage he represented England at youth and under-21 level. His performances caught the eye of higher division clubs and in the summer of 1987 he signed for First Division Queens Park Rangers for £500,000.

It was whilst he was at QPR that he won his first England cap. He also played in the 1990 World Cup, when England reached the semi-finals only to be knocked out on penalties.

In August 1991 Alex Ferguson signed Paul Parker, for £2 million to strengthen his defence, in an effort to bring the League Championship back to Old Trafford. His first season at United was plagued with injuries.

However, he did win a League Cup medal, when Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 1-0, winning the League Cup for the first time. The following season he picked up a League Championship medal and was an important member of the squad.

He was a quick, fair tackling full-back who often used his pace to assist in attacks. In the 1993-94 season Parker, along with Denis Irwin, were the first choice full-back pairing when United won the F.A. Cup and League double for the first time in the club's history. He was the final piece in the defence that gave United the platform for Championship glory and his contribution was significant in laying the foundations for the success that has followed.

His impressive displays during the 1993-94 season earned him his place back in the England squad. However, in his last two years at the club (1994-96) he was plagued by injury and in his absence lost his place in both the United and England squad to Gary Neville.

Courtesy: manutd.com

[SirManchester]

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_football/BUTT_Nicky_19980410_NF_L.jpg

NICKY BUTT

DATE OF BIRTH: 21/1/1975

APPEARCANES: 298 (79)
GOALS: 23


PROFILE:


Nicky Butt signed for Manchester United as a trainee in July 1991 after playing for Oldham and Greater Manchester Schoolboys. He was a part of the successful FA Youth Cup side in 1992, scoring twice in the first leg of the final against Crystal Palace.

His first team debut came on 21st November 1992, as a 65th minute substitute for Paul Ince against Oldham Athletic. By the end of the 1994-95 season he had earned himself a place in the starting line up for the FA Cup Final, but finished with a runners-up medal after losing 1-0 to Everton.
Twelve months later Butt was to collect a winners' medal in the 1996 FA Cup Final, completing a League and Cup double for himself and the Reds. When Roy Keane was absent through injury in 1997, Butt was outstanding in central midfield alongside Ronny Johnsen.
Butt's hard tackling style made him primarily a defensive midfielder rather than creator. His role was of a classic fetcher and carrier, covering every blade of grass but he also boasted clever passing skills and could make timely runs into the box.

The 1998-99 Treble season saw less starting apprearances yet he still had an excellent year with great display's against Leeds, Juventus, Liverpool and Arsenal. When Keane and Scholes were both suspended for the 1999 Champions League Final, Butt became invaluable as the only available central midfielder, however it meant he wasn't risked for the FA Cup Final.
In In 1999-2000 he started 21 games and was a sub 11 times so he certainly played a significant role in the title truimph. Butt scored an important last minute equaliser away at Sunderland as well as goals against Derby, Vasco and home to Sunderland. The following season he scored his first European goal, a belter at home to Sturm Graz and featured in 41 games of United's successful Premiership winning season. Sven Goran Eriksson also called Butt up to the England squad where he played against Albania, Spain and Finland.

In 2001-2002 Butt had an excellent season starting 31 games and took on an increasingly important role as anchor man in the United midfield. Many had predicted the arrival of Juan Sebastian Veron would mean the end of Nicky's Old Trafford career but he proved the critics wrong with consistent high quality performances (something Veron was unable to do).

Consequently he also played more international games and made the England World Cup squad for Japan/Korea 2002. His performances in the World Cup games were outstanding, in fact, the great Pele even said that Butt was the player of the tournament and he received high praise from fans and pundits alike. Ironically it was an ankle injury sustained while playing for England against Macedonia that disrupted his season in 2002-2003. However, after Feburary, Butt was a back as a regular fixture in the starting eleven providing his brand of steel and energy in the United engine room.

In his final season he was restricted to more subsitute appearances and was obviously unhappy at sitting on the bench. Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson and the newly converted holding-man, Phil Neville, meant the Reds had a surplus of defensive midfielders.

Rumours of a transfer to Middlesbrough or Birmingham began and a move looked on the cards in January 2004. Butt decided to fight for his place but eventually had to admit defeat - he was no longer guaranteed first team football. In July 2004 Butt made a £2.5 million move to Newcastle United ending 13 years at Old Trafford and so marking the departure of another of the homegrown stars that produced so much success for the club in the last decade.

courtesy of manutdzone and fussballdaten

[johno]

Remi Moses

Nationality: English

Date of Birth: 14/11/1960

Apperanaces: 188

Goals: 12

Honors
1983, 1985 FA Cup

http://everton.rivals.net/media/jpg/2000092602240887.jpg

A tough tackling, fiery little midfielder. In 1981 Remi Moses came to Old Trafford from West Brom in the same deal that brought Bryan Robson. His career was dogged by injuries and suspensions - he missed the 1983 FA Cup Final win over Brighton. Ultimately, injury led to his premature exit from football due to a persistent ankle problem. (manutdzone.com)

(from soccernet)
Manchester United used to have a defensive midfielder called Remi Moses, whom they bought from West Brom in 1981. He was christened by his Old Trafford colleagues with the affectionate nickname of 'Dogshit'.
When a local journalist asked one of the players why they called him thus, he replied 'Because he's everywhere.'

Remi Moses fulfilled a very important, albeit unrewarding function - what the Spanish call 'El perro de caza' (the hunting dog) - the guy in midfield who does the dirty work, breaking up the opponent's play and doing the fetching and carrying for the more gifted figures alongside who need to conserve their energy for the more creative work.

(from my dad :) )
Moses won't ever be confused with Keane, but he's what United sought to find in players like ***** and ***** who've often filled in for Keane when injured or suspended, except of course, if either of them were as good as Moses, United wouldn't be currently seeking an anchor in midfield. Blessed with a non-stop motor, Moses could be found disrupting the opponent's attack throughout the game and as far as strictly ball-winning midfielders go at United, there've been few better than him, and none more committed to the cause.

* Major props to my dad for this pick, I called him damn near in tears for want of a United DM, Moses was the 3rd name out of his mouth :D

[GrodZilla]

Wesley Brown

http://www.manutdzone.com/playerpages/wesbrown2.jpg

Full Name: Wesley Brown

Position: Central Defender

Date of Birth: 26th March 1979

Squad Number: 6

Place of Birth: Manchester

Height: 6ft

Weight: 11st 11

International: 9 Caps - 0 goals

A former student at the FA School of Excellence at Lilleshall, Wes Brown also played for Manchester and Greater Manchester as a schoolboy. A local lad from Longsight, Manchester, he signed as a trainee on leaving school in July 1996 and became a professional just four months later on 4th November 1996.

In his first full season at Old Trafford, Brown picked up a Lancashire FA Youth Cup winners' medal and a Lancashire League Division One medal together with the Denzil Haroun Young Player of the Year award. Performances throughout the season earned him a place on the substitutes' bench against Leeds United on 4 May 1998. Brown appeared in the starting line-up for the first time the following week as United defeated Barnsley 2-0.

His performances in the 1998-99 season caught the eye as an accomplished central defender for someone so young. Brown gained a regular first team place deputising for the injured Denis Irwin at full-back. Quick and able to surge forward down the wing, Wes was very impressive all-round. An international at Under-18 and Under-21 level, Brown received his first senior cap under Kevin Keegan, playing against Hungary in Budapest. Wes' first team opportunities became rarer towards the end of the season, but he had played his part in the club's Treble success.

Wes had set his sights on making an impact on the team again in the 1999/2000 season, but a accidental fall on the training ground inflicted him with the dreaded cruciate knee injury. His season was over before it even began.

He was raring to go for the 2000-2001 season however. Playing mainly in the heart of defence with Jaap Stam, Brown had many impressive performances throughout the season as United boasted the best defensive record of any Premiership team.

He gained the praise of many plaudits for his composure and technical excellence while the absence of Ronny Johnsen gave Brown his chance to make over 50 appearances. Brown broke into the England squad and it appeared likely he would be a regular in the national team. While a couple of own-goals were the blight on a great season, Wes showed the potential to become a world class player.


The first months of 2001-2002 were not the best for Brown though, United had constant defensive problems and in December he suffered a medial ligaments injury setback. He returned at the end of April for the season's finish and was able to impress Sven Goran Eriksson enough to win a place in the World Cup Squad for Japan/Korea.

The following season got off to a bad start with a broken ankle that kept him out until October. Sir Alex had always envisioned Wes playing alongside Rio Ferdinand and this became the established central pairing for the second half of the season - a period in which United went unbeaten in the League. A high point was the big defender scoring his ever first goal for United at home to Juventus, however the season ended the way it began with injury hell. Wes again injured the cruciate ligament in his knee in the final game of the season, at Everton.

He did not return until the first game of 2004 at Aston Villa in the FA Cup 3rd Round. Unfortunately instead of a gradual return to first team action, Rio Ferdinand's suspension meant that Ferguson had to throw Brown into the heat of the action right away. The young defender suffered as he was still finding full match sharpness. He bore the brunt of the criticism for United's defensive problems that plagued the team in the early months of the year.

Yet, eventually Wes found his good form of old and put in two colossal performances against Arsenal in the Premiership and FA Cup semi-final. He continued improving last season and was largely free of serious injury, playing throughout the campaign. Everyone will be hoping he has put the injuries behind him and can go on to become the great defender that he undoubtedly has the talent to be.

[billyireland]

http://www.ds.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/wmorgan2.jpg

POSITION: Winger
DATE OF BIRTH: Monday, 2nd October 1944
PLACE OF BIRTH: Glasgow
DEBUT: Wednesday, 28th August 1968 in a 3-1 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur (Aged: 23)
CLUB CAREER:236 League apps (+2 as sub), 25 goals

Willie Morgan joined Manchester United, the newly crowned European Cup Champions, in 1968 for £117, 000 from Burnley. Initially a right midfielder, he made his debut in a 3-1 win against Spurs at Old Trafford. His first goal came in the bitterly fought second leg of the World Club Championship against Estudiantes de la Plata of Argentina. Nobby Stiles had been sent off in the first leg, which United lost 1-0, and one from either side were dismissed in the return game. Despite Morgan's goal, United could only manage a draw and the tie was lost 1-2 on aggregate. Goals from Morgan in cup games later on in the season against Birmingham City and Rapid Vienna helped the team to the FA Cup 6th Round and European Cup Semi-Final respectively, however, defeats to Everton and AC Milan ended their hopes of silverware in what was to be Sir Matt Busby's final year as manager. Wilf McGuinness took over, however, the ageing great team of the 60s struggled to challenge in the league as one by one they departed. McGuinness rang the changes but to no avail. Good cup runs had kept the crowd enthused and Morgan was voted Supporters Player of the Year for both 1970 and 1971. McGuinness was demoted at the end of 1971 and Busby returned to take over the reins until the end of the season with immediate relative success. Morgan was virtually an ever present upon Busby's return. Frank O'Farrell took over at the start of the 1971/72 season and proceeded to move Morgan infield. The team thrived and lead the league table at Christmas by 5 points, however, seven successive defeats put pay to any title aspirations and defeats in both cup competitions to Stoke City continued the medal drought.

The turmoil within Old Trafford reached its peak in the 1972/73 season. As all around him was chaotic, Morgan remained impressively reliable and played in all but 3 games. United were in deep relegation trouble by December and O'Farrell was sacked. Tommy Docherty took control and rang the changes to avoid the drop. Morgan contributed significantly and scored crucial goals around Easter as United collected enough points to finish 18th and remain in the 1st Division. Despite their efforts the previous season, there was to be no reprieve for the 1973/74 campaign. Again, Docherty brought in new faces and, again, Morgan was a virtual ever present, missing one game all season, a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City. Morgan helped to shore up the defence in a holding midfield role, however, a distinct lack of goals from the front men cost the club their 1st Division status for the first time since 1938. Morgan's reward for his continued contribution was the captaincy of the team. As United attempted to return to the top flight, youngsters formed a large part of the side and Morgan's experience was essential in balancing the side. He scored in the opening fixture of the season in a 2-0 win against Orient as United lead the league from start to finish. Though he remained a regular within the side, off the field, Morgan had a publicised dispute with Tommy Docherty and, as the manager continued to bring in new players, it was apparent that Willie would be departing. His former team, Burnley, came in and he left in the summer of 1975. Having played in the games against Southampton and Notts County that clinched promotion and the title respectively, Morgan's final appearance came in a 4-0 win against Blackpool at Old Trafford on 26th April 1975.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/6488/mitten4zl.jpg

Name: Charlie Mitten
Birthdate: 17/01/1921
Birthplace: Rangoon, Burma
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 11st

Charlie came through the junior ranks at Manchester United. While he signed with the club in 1936, his first professional appearance did not come until 1946 because of World War II. Charlie was an excellent winger for the club during the early years of Matt Busby. He would help the club win the FA Cup in 1948. He scored 61 goals in his United career.

In 1950, Charlie was approached by wealthy Colombian businessmen to play for a club team in Bogotá. For this, he accepted a lot of money and the nickname "The Bogotá Bandit". After funds dried up after a year, Charlie was set to return to England. Real Madrid in Spain offered Charlie more money, but he turned it down to return to his wife in England. Upon his return to England, Manchester United still owned his rights, and manager Matt Busby suspended him for six months, before finally selling him off to Fulham.

After his playing days, he decided to take up managing. He coached Mansfield Town and Newcastle United before retiring to greyhounds. [Wiki]

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Mitten was an 1948 FA Cup winner and played on the wing. He was a super fast player and great crosser of the ball who could shoot with power and accuracy. Mitten was an important player in Matt Busby's first great side but he fell out with the manager over the maximum wage for footballers and had a rebel spell in South America. When he returned to England he was suspended and sold to Fulham. [manutdzone]

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There was no doubt he made a big impact in Colombia, because Real Madrid signed Santa Fe's two Argentineans, Alfredo di Stenfano and Hector Rial, and wanted Charlie to go to Madrid as well. He could easily have become part of the Real Madrid side which dominated Europe at that time, winning the European Cup for five successive seasons after its inception, but a wife who preferred to come home and the need to educate his children brought him back to a six-month ban and £250 fine. His adventure blighted his international career, as Sir Stanley Rous, secretary of the FA at the time, explained: "We know you are the best outside-left in the country, but I'm afraid we can't select you for England because discipline must come first."

In later years di Stefano, the maestro who so impressed United when they met in the European Cup, told him: "Ah, Charlee Meeton, numero uno. If we have heem, we never need Gento. Gento, he queek but Meeton, he more clever." [Man Utd 100 greatest players]

United League Apps: 142
League Goals: 50
FA Cup Apps: 19
FA Cup Goals: 11

Total Apps: 161
Total Goals: 61

[Dark Savante]

http://62.232.35.140/files_football/MUHREN_Arnold_19821120_GH_R.jpg

Name: Arnoldus Johannes Hyacinthus Muhren (Arnold Muhren)
Position:Central Midfield
Birthdate: 02/06/1951. Vollendam, Holland
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 10st 11lbs

Honours
1983 FA Cup
1985 FA Cup

Ajax Amsterdam
European Cup winnner's Cup 1987

International
European Continental Cup - 1988


Profile
Arnold Muhren joined Manchester United in August 1982 following a successful spell at Ipswich Town. He signed at the age of 31 and was widely recognised as a classy midfielder with a left foot that was a testament to his Dutch schooling.

He made his debut in a 3-0 win against Birmingham City on 28th August 1982 at Old Trafford and opened his goalscoring account in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth in the League Cup on 26th October 1982. His first league goal was the decisive strike in a 1-0 home win against Spurs in November of that year. A further five goals followed during the rest of the season as Muhren helped United to both domestic cup finals. Having been beaten 2-1 by Liverpool in the League Cup Final, United returned to Wembley to beat Brighton 4-0 in the FA Cup Final Replay. Arnold scored the fourth from the penalty spot to cap another impressive performance.

The success qualified the club for the European Cup Winners' Cup for the following season and Arnold again played a significant part in their challenge. He scored 4 goals in the opening 6 games of the 1983/84 league campaign and helped the team to the European Cup Winners' Cup Semi-Final. In the Quarter-Final Muhren played his part in the side's game of the season as United came back from a 2-0 first leg deficit to beat Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate. However, the second leg victory proved to be Arnold's last of the season as injury ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. United's title challenge faltered and they were knocked out of the European Cup Winners' Cup by Juventus.

Injury continued to keep Muhren out of the side for much of the following season and he left in the summer of 1985 to finish his playing days back in Holland. United fans were reminded of his great talents at the 1988 European Championships where Arnold helped the Dutch to a memorable success, despite the fact he was by then 37 years of age. (Steve Drabble)

[Dark Savante]

http://www.mainprize.demon.co.uk/utdfront/images/scanlon.jpg

Name:Albert Scanlon
Position:Outside Left (Winger)
Born:17/01/1921. Rangoon, Burma
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 11stone


Scanlon, locked in a friendly rivalry with David Pegg for the left-wing berth in United's forward line, currently has the upper hand and the tricky two-footed winger is now the first-choice for that position.

His speed and flair are his most effective weapons. Sometimes in previous seasons he has not lived up to expectations, but has recently found a consistency that had been lacking. In particular, his brilliant performance in the recent 5-4 win at Arsenal showed his star quality.

Manchester United Career Goals

Key:

Season
League
League Cup
FA Cup
European Cup
Season Goals

1954/1955
4
n/a
0
n/a
4

1955/1956
1
n/a
0
n/a
1

1956/1957
2
n/a
0
0
2

1957/1958
3
n/a
0
0
3

1958/1959
16
n/a
0
n/a
16

1959/1960
7
n/a
1
n/a
8

1960/1961
1
0
0
n/a
1

Total Goals
34
0
1
0
35

Total Apps 115 3 3 3 127

[Teso Dos Bichos]

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/6085/jones6ll.jpg

Name: Mark Jones
Position: Half-back
Born: 15/6/33 (Barnsley)
Height: 185cm
Weight: 81.63kg
Appearances: 121
Goals: 1

Mark was the archetypal pivot, broad of beam, crushing in the tackle and majestic in the air. He was an uncomplicated sort of player and rarely ruined his ball-winning efforts by squandering possession with over-ambitious distribution. A simple pass to Duncan Edwards or Eddie Colman was his preferred option.

The doughty stopper, who won two Championship medals with United, relished the physical challenge presented by such craggy characters as Nat Lofthouse and Trevor Ford, yet off the field he was a mild-mannered family man who had more in common with Clark Kent than Superman. Mark was a fellow without an ounce of malice and his gentleness was a byword. He liked nothing better than a natter about his beloved budgerigars, of which he was an avid collector, and reacted amiably to being dubbed `Dan Archer' by team-mates in reference to his pipe-smoking habit.

His football life was complicated by a continual battle for the centre-half spot with Jackie Blanchflower, the best man at his wedding. First one looked to have it sewn up, then the initiative would pass to the other. The Irishman edged selection for the 1957 FA Cup Final, but by the time of the Munich disaster, Mark had regained his place and was playing the best football of his career. Even the slightest injury to either man would mean a lengthy spell on the side-lines because of the other's excellence, though respected contemporary pundits reckoned that Mark was perhaps the best long-term bet.

The big, blond ex-bricklayer, a former captain of the England schoolboy's team, had joined United from Yorkshire junior football and turned professional in the summer of 1950. That autumn, still only 17, he tasted League action for the first time in a home victory over Sheffield Wednesday, but then faced a four-year wait for a regular place. Duly he emerged from the shadow of his boyhood hero, Allenby Chilton, who played an important and selfless part in the youngster's development, helping to iron out initial crudeness in the Jones technique.

Thereafter Mark made steady progress, but was never to realize his lifelong ambition of playing for England. The nearest he came was a place on the reserves' bench, but had he not perished at Munich, then surely that elusive cap would have been his before long. [thebusbybabes/manutd]

[billyireland]

http://www.mu-fc.net/images/m.duxbury.jpg

Michael Duxbury
Manchester United FC 1980-1990
POSITION: Full Back
DATE OF BIRTH: Tuesday, 1st September 1959
PLACE OF BIRTH:Accrington, Lancashire, England
DEBUT: Saturday, 23rd August 1980 as a sub in a 0-0 draw at Birmingham City (Aged: 20)
CLUB CAREER: 274 League apps (+25 as sub), 7 goals... 343 (33) aap's & 7 goals total
343 (33)
Mike Duxbury was a right-sided full-back for United for ten years, from 1980-90.A skillful, versatile and determined player with excellent tackling ability, he won two FA cup winners medals in 1983 and 1985. He was also an England international and won 10 caps. Duxbury left United in 1990 for Blackburn and eventually ended his career at Bradford.

[johno]

GRODZILLA selects...
http://www.manutdzone.com/atoz/pictures/alexstepney.jpg

Alex Stepney

Position: Goal Keeper

Appearances: 535

Cleansheets: 175

Goalkeeper Alex Stepney joined Manchester United in August 1966 from Chelsea for £55,000, a then world record fee for a goalkeeper

He was United's reliable last line of defence from 1966-78. 14 clean sheets in 34 league appearances helped United to the League Championship in 1967. He appeared in goal for United in the 1968 European Cup final and will always be remembered for his vital save from the great Eusebio minutes from time with the score at 1-1.

The great Portuguese striker already with a goal to his name, was through one on one with Stepney but blasted his shot low and at the United keeper.

In his United career he won both League title and European Cup winners medals and is the club's all-time top scoring goalkeeper - he converted two penalties in 1973-74 season. After losing his first team place in the early 70's he regained it and set a then record of 92 consecutive appearances. He was first choice until 1978 when injury problems struck and he eventually left Old Trafford to play football in the USA.

[johno]

Gordon Strachan (1984 - 1989)

http://www.redcafe.net/img/archives/legends/strachan.jpg

Nationality: Scottish

Born: 1957

Position: CM or RW

Appearances: 195

Goals: 38

Honors: 1985 FA Cup

Honors w/ Aberdeen: 2 Scottish League titles, 3 Scottish FA Cups, 1 European Cup Winners' Cup and 1 European Super Cup

Take a tiny, twisting jack-in-the-box, add a shock of red hair and an impish grin, and top it all with one of the canniest of soccer brains and you've got Gordon Strachan. When Ron Atkinson paid Aberdeen boss Alex Ferguson £6OO,OO0 for his much-in-demand midfielder cum winger - after a tiresome transfer saga involving FC Cologne, who claimed Gordon had signed for them - there were those who reckoned the Scottish international sprite was too small for the English game. `He'd need to play in a team of giants to survive' was the view of one respected judge.

In his first season Gordon did rather more than survive. He positively thrived, missing only one League game and scoring 15 goals, not to mention the addition of an FA Cup winner's medal to a trophy cabinet bulging with Scottish silverware. He had mixed fortunes with penalties though; at first he couldn't miss them, then he couldn't score them.

United fans took to him for his flair, industry and perky demeanour. They gloried in his ability to pick his way daintily through seemingly impenetrable tangles of bodies and loved his line in defence-splitting passes.

In March 1989 - to the surprise of many, at a time when he was enjoying one of his most effective spells - he was allowed to join Leeds for £300,000. Ferguson reckoned that, at 32, Gordon had run out of steam in Manchester and needed a new challenge. But no one could have imagined just how well he would do at Elland Road, where he went on to give six years of fabulous service, including an inspirational 1991/92 campaign in which his new club pipped his old one for the title, winning the Player of the Year award for his display that season. (rc)

Strachan was a wonderful player when he was in form. He was capable of dominating a match with the ball at his feet weaving his way through defenses and also by spraying the ball around. He was at home playing in lesser roles as well, as he had to do since he was paired with Bryan Robson, but when the moment called for it, he was more than up to the task of changing the game in United's favor with a cleaver turn, pass or by simply being in the right place at the right time. GS was one of the few talents in British soccer who could transform a game with a moment of artistry, he was a number 10 and a number 7 if need be but whatever position he played or role he took up, he was the brain of the team, such was his footballing intellect.

[SirManchester]

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_football/BAILEY_Gary_1981_GH_L.jpg

GARY "DRACULA" BAILEY

DATE OF BIRTH: 9/8/1958

APPEARANCES: 373

CLEAN SHEETS: 160

PROFILE:

Gary Bailey kept goal for United from 1978-87. Though born in Ipswich he spent his youth in South Africa. His father was also a goalkeeper and no doubt this rubbed off on Gary for in 1978 made hsi debut for United on 18th November in a 2-0 win at home to Ipswich Town.

He was a fine keeper able to pull off magnificent saves, most importantly in the last minute of the 1983 FA Cup Final when he denied Gordon Smith a winner for Brighton.

His main weakness was an inability to deal with crosses. He won two FA Cup medals in 1983 and 1985 before a knee injury forced him out of the United side in 1987 in favour of Jim Leighton. Gary served under three United manager's: Dave Sexton, Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson.

He now works as an anchor man on televison for a South African football show covering Premierhip games.

courtesy of manutdzone and fussballdaten

[Stud83]

http://www.manutdzone.com/atoz/pictures/henningberg.jpg

Henning Berg was the shock signing of the 1997-98 season.

With much speculation over whom Alex Ferguson would and could sign hitting the headlines throughout the close season, Berg's name had hardly been mentioned.

However, someone with an eye for detail and who had closely followed Alex Ferguson's career would have known that he had long been an admirer of Berg.

In fact Alex Ferguson had made his first inquiry about the Norwegian defender nine years earlier. In 1988 Berg spent a week at Old Trafford on trial. In the event it wasn't to be; Berg claims:

"I came here for a week in 1988. To be fair, I wasn't good enough to play here then and I didn't get a work permit anyway".

Three further attempts and £5 million later, Alex Ferguson and United finally got their man.

Signed from Blackburn Rovers, where he made 159 League appearances and scored 4 goals, Berg was a member of the Rovers team which pipped United on the final day of the season for the Premier League Championship in 1995.

Berg's debut for Manchester United came two days after signing, as a substitute for the injured Ronny Johnsen, in a home match against Southampton.

Berg admits that he did not expect to find himself in the side so soon after signing. However, Berg settled into the side quickly and has played an important role in United's defence in the 1997-98 season alongside either Gary Pallister or Ronny Johnsen.

Following the signing of Jaap Stam in July 1998, Berg's prospects in the First team seemed to be limited. He took his chances whenever they occurred and made 28 appearances during the season.

He was unfortunate that an injury caused him to miss the last month of United's record breaking season, but he did qualify for a Premier League Championship medal.

Berg is an experienced international with over 60 appearances to his name. He played in the 1994 World Cup in the USA and 1998 World Cup in France. A cool and professional defender with good aerial ability, Berg made the score sheet with a couple of goals for United in the 1997-98 season.

Henning Berg made up for the disappointment of missing the European Cup final in May 1999, by winning his second League title with United, and his third overall. His partnership with Jaap Stam became central to the Reds' season with Ronny Johnsen, David May and Wes Brown all missing through injury.

Berg also proved his worth at the other end of the pitch, grabbing United's final goal in the 4-0 rout of Sunderland. It was his third goal for United, for whom he made his 100th appearance during the 1999-2000 season.


He regularly formed a defensive partnership with fellow Norwegian Ronny Johnsen, which was continued at International level for Norway whom Berg has played over 75 times. He most famous moment is probably the off-the-line clearances that stopped Inter Milan scoring at Old Trafford and the San Siro in the Champions League Quarter Final of 1999.

Henning Berg was a central defender with United from 1997-2000 during which time he won 2 Premier League titles in 1997,99 and the Champions League in 1999. His aerial ability, ball-winning and positional skills as well as a composed style served United well.