Squad profile Gary Neville

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.

Alongside him at Old Trafford was his younger brother Phillip and they would remain team-mates at both club and international level all their careers until Phil joined Everton in 2005. Sometimes they would even find themselves as rivals for a place in the United side as both could play at left or right back.

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 been 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 had a great relationship with best friend David Beckham in which he put in crosses on the overlap while Beckham moves into central midfield on attacks. In recent years he has continued this set up with Cristiano Ronaldo. Let us 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. In the treble year, he even managed to score against Everton, the second goal of his career.

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 Champions League semi-final with Bayer Leverkusen, by bizarre coincidence Gary picked up the same metatarsal bone injury that afflicted David Beckham a few weeks earler. 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 add another two goals to his scoring record and a headbutt incident with Manchester City's Steve McManaman in a derby match only further enhanced his reputation as a true red.

At heart he really is just a typical United fan who has been lucky enough to become a player. There is plenty of football left in Neville and at the same time he is a player of vast experience. It may be a surprise to many that Gary held the record for most the number of appearances in the Champions League for a period in the late 1990's.

He has also has a reputation as the 'Shop Steward' in the side because of his outspoken defence of team-mates against the FA and media. He was allegedly the ringleader of a plot to boycott a Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey in support of Rio Ferdinand who had banned for missing a drugs test and was believed to be behind a player protest in support of Alan Smith, after he was dropped from the England squad because of a unproven allegations.

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 setting up his career at Old Trafford for the rest of the decade.

2005-2006 season was notable for three major events in Neville's career. In December 2005 Gary was appointed United club captain. A groin injury had ruled him out for most of the first half of the season but having tried numerous candidates, Sir Alex saw him the natural choice to lead the team.

In January 2006 Neville found himself in the laughable situation of an FA punishment for "over-celebrating" after he ran to celebrate Rio Ferdinand's last-minute winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford in front of the Scouse fans. He was given a £5000 fine for the incident. On a positive note he also picked up his first trophy as United captain, the League Cup in February 2006 in the 4-0 win over Wigan in Cardiff.

In season 2006-2007 Neville was once again the regular right back featuring in 33 matchs up until March 2007. An ankle injury suffered on March 17 agianst Bolton at Old Trafford spelt the end of his season and though it was hoped he would return for the FA Cup final he underwent an exploratory operation instead. Neville did however lift the Premiership trophy along with Ryan Giggs on the last day of the season.

Gary Neville

Gary Neville

Gary Neville

Gary Neville

Squad profile Louis Saha

Born in Paris to parents from the French island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, Louis Saha came to the Premiership on loan to Newcastle in January 1999. He made his debut against Chelsea but injured his hamstring and was out for a month. The unsuccessful loan period finished with only 11 appearances in six months.

He returned to England in June 2000 signed from FC Metz for £2.1 million. Any doubts of Louis’ ability from his Newcastle days were laid to rest when, he fired in twenty goals by the end of November 2000.

Strong, agile, quick, able to take on defenders and powerful in the air, Saha tore the First Division apart. He finished as the country’s leading goal scorer with 32 in all competitions and won the Nationwide Player of the Year 2000.

In the Premiership with the now promoted Fulham, Saha showed class from the start with two brilliant goals in Fulham's opening game against United at Old Trafford in August 2001. Fulham fans saw glimpses of the First Division Saha but the Frenchman was dogged by injury and was out of action for four months.

However, immediately on his return to the first team he scored against Birmingham City in the FA Cup and, from there, looked to be fast returning to form with goals against West Brom, Sunderland, Southampton and Charlton. By the end of the campaign he was looking like the Louis of old.

Saha scored 15 goals season and was on Sir Alex's shopping list for the transfer window. The 25-year old had been heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford as Sir Alex looked to bring in some support for Ruud van Nistelrooy. Saha admitted he would love to make the move saying "I cannot say no - United is my dream and I want to go there," in November. "United is my dream and I want to go there. This is an opportunity I cannot let go by."

Fulham accused United of trying to unsettle Saha with manager Chris Coleman insisting that they would not sell. The player then hit back at the London club saying he was now nothing more than a 'product' to them now that United's interest had became known.

Eventually after much bidding and negotiation Fulham did sell as United gave them an offer they couldn't refuse. On Friday 23rd January 2004 Saha completed a £12.8 million move to United with the Frenchman given United's number nine jersey - which has been vacant since Andy Cole left for Blackburn in 2001.

Sir Alex Ferguson stated at the time: "Louis is a young and exciting talent and has made incredible progress. When he starts sticking the goals in everyone will forget he cost that much." Ferguson was also hoping Saha could form a potent attacking force with Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. "The last really effective combination we had was the one between Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole that was so integral to winning the European Cup in 1999. Hopefully this one will be equally as successful".

Saha certainly looked an impressive signing with 7 goals in his 10 starting appearances of the 2003-2004 season. He scored on his debut against Southampton and followed it up with a brace at Everton. As is customary he scored against his old club Fulham - a fantastic breakway run and thundering finish. Louis also scored United's late equaliser at Highbury after coming on as sub.

He then got an international call-up for France, scoring on his debut versus Belgium and made the Euro 2004 squad for the tournament in Portugal. Unfortunately he was unable to play in the FA Cup final win over Millwall, being cup tied due to an earlier appearance with Fulham.
2004-2005 was a stop-start season marred by constant injury. Saha never really got going making only 11 starting appearances, 11 from the bench and scoring two goals. In September he picked up an knee injury playing for France against the Faroe Islands which cost him a month. Then in November he picked up the injury again, also playing for the national side and costing nearly two months out.

At the end of February 2005, the problem re-occured, again leaving Saha out for a further two months. With serious doubts over fitness, his long term future at Old Trafford was highly uncertain. The Frenchman was again sidelined by a hamstring strain for the first three months of the new season and there was talk of him leaving in the January transfer window.

He finally returned in November 2005 and eased back into side as a sub and starring in League Cup matches. To the surprise of many, the French striker recaptured his intial good form and started banging in the goals. Six goals in the League Cup run saw him usurping Van Nistelrooy as the first choice strike partner for Rooney.

Saha took Ruud's place in the Cardiff final against Wigan and this signalled an extraordinary turn-a-round in fortunes for the two players. It left the once omnipresent Dutchman consigned to the starting bench for the rest of the season with Saha Sir Alex's preferred choice up front.

Few would have thought come the end of the season it would be Van Nistelrooy heading for the exit and not Louis Saha. In all, the Frenchman scored 15 goals in 2005-2006, enough to persuade Fergie that he should be his first striker alongside Wayne Rooney for season 2006-2007.

The new season in August 2006 saw his return from the World Cup in Germany where he had played for France making three appearances as substitute. Saha began in fine form scoring after 7 minutes against old club Fulham in the opener and went on to score regularly throughout the first half of the campaign.

This included two at home to Celtic, goals against Man City and Chelsea plus crackers away to Charlton and Benfica. He also took on penalty duties but missed a last minute kick at Celtic that would have given the Reds a 1-1 draw.

Saha signed an extension to his contract in December 2006, lasting to 2010, but from then on the old ghost of injury problems would haunt him again. Groin and hamstring injuries restricted appearances and meant he only scored one goal in the 2nd half of the season. He returned as substitute at Roma but then soon picked up an knee injury.

Ferguson is rumoured to be unhappy with the player and has grown tired of his endless fitness woes. The Frenchman has insisted he has no intention of leaving the club when he talked to L'Equipe: "I want to stay." Asked about the Samuel Eto'o rumours, Saha said: "I know nothing. I love this club and I don't want to leave. "If they are saying other good strikers are coming to United I find that good, if that helps us defend our title and win others next year.
Position : Forward
Height: 1.81m.
Weight: 72.00kg.
Nationality: France
Born: 08/08/1978 in Paris
First professional match: Metz - Bordeaux : 4-1 on 08/08/1997

Louis Saha

Louis Saha

Louis Saha

Louis Saha

Louis Saha

Rio Ferdinand

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 5th 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 sum. 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, 2001/2002, 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 English rear-guard players of the 1990's 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 £31.1 million. 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 2003, but left without undergoing the procedure. Claiming he forgot because he was moving house at the time and was distracted, he instead 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 2004. 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 cost 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).

The next 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 2005, 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.

2005-2006 saw a United first for Rio as he finally scored for the Reds - a header at home to Wigan in mid December. He went on to score twice more, most excellently the injury time winner in the 1-0 triumph at home to Liverpool. He also picked up a League Cup winner's medal and played more times than any other United player with 54 appearances. On the downside he suffered the first sending off in his United career away at Blackburn.

Last season Rio was a rock at the heart of the United defence and missed very few matches, with 48 starting appearances. He scored again against Liverpool in a 2-0 win, his only goal of the season. He did also score twice at the wrong end with an OG at home to Fulham and away to Portsmouth.

Alongside Nemanja Vidic he formed an excellent partnership but whether it is Vidic, Brown or Heinze matters little to Ferdinand's consistency. As one of the best defender's in the world and a much prized asset, Rio is one of United's most important talents and is at the peak of his career.
Born 1978-11-07
Age 29
Height 188
Weight 83
Birthplace Peckham England
Position Defence
Shirt 5

Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand

Chris Eagles Football Players Pictures

Chris Eagles



Eagles, dubbed in some quarters as 'the new David Beckham', was welcomed into the Manchester United first team reckoning in late-October 2003 when handed the squad number 33.
The right-sided midfielder, who began his career in north London with Watford made his debut for the Red Devils in the Carling Cup victory at Leeds United at the age of 17. He likes to take on the defender in the Ryan Giggs mould and get to the byline. Chris spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Watford between 2005 and 2006.

In 2006-2007 Eagles agreed to spend four months on loan at Dutch team NEC Nijmegen but by December Eagles had returned to United after struggling at Nijmegen to get many games.

On 28th April 2007, Eagles scored his first senior goal for United in a 4-2 Premier League win over Everton after coming on as a second half substitute. He made a full start a few weeks later against Chelsea on the 9th May.
Shirt Number: 33

Position: Midfield

Date of Birth: 19th November 1985

Birthplace: Hemel Hempstead, England

Height: 5'10"

Chris Eagles

youngster Chris Eagles

Chris Eagles

Chris Eagles

Chris Eagles

Chris Eagles

AC Milan Football

Maldini AC Milan

Maldini AC Milan

AC Milan FC

AC Milan FC

AC Milan FC

AC Milan Football

AC Milan Football

AC Milan Football

Inter Milan Football

Inter Milan Football

Cesc Fabregas football Players Pictures

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas

Mikael Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre

Mikael Silvestre

Wes Brown's Football Players Images

United defender Wes Brown
Wesley Michael "Wes" Brown (born 13 October 1979) is an English football player who plays as a defender for Premier League side Manchester United, and the England national team. He regularly plays in the right back and centre back positions

Wes Brown's

Wes Brown's

Wes Brown's

United defender Wes Brown

Wes Brown's

United defender Wes Brown

United defender Wes Brown