Fergie holds them in reserve but these 10 Old Trafford squaddies would walk into any other team
Typical, just typical. Sir Alex Ferguson wants a home win in the first leg of his side's Champions League semi-final and his fourth-choice right-back pops up with the winner.
John O'Shea may be behind Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Rafael in the Old Trafford pecking order but he would walk into many a Premier League team.
Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney or PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs - it is Manchester United's strength in depth that really sets them apart from their rivals.
The FA Cup semi-final against Everton may have been a bridge (or a bumpy pitch) too far but Ferguson's squad certainly boasts an embarrassment of riches.
They may be on the periphery of the United first-team but how many top flight managers wouldn't mind one of these lot in their starting XI next season?
John O'Shea
The Irishman has made more than 300 appearances for United, playing at left-back, right-back, in the centre of defence and carrying out the holding midfield role.
He even pulled on the goalkeeper's gloves on one occasion (in February 2007 against Spurs, when Edwin van der Sar was injured and United had used all three substitutes).
O'Shea's versatility has been invaluable during his decade at Old Trafford, but how good a player could he be with regular first-team football?
Anderson
The 21-year-old midfielder has bags of potential but has been used sparingly in the Premier League this season, starting just 10 games and making five substitute appearances.
Sir Alex Ferguson does tend to utilise Anderson in Champions League ties, however - he played nine of the Reds' 13 European matches during the last campaign and has featured in nine games so far this season.
Despite 72 appearances in a United shirt in all competitions, the Brazil international has yet to score for his club.
Carlos Tevez
His work rate may have won over Manchester United supporters but Tevez's future at the club remains uncertain.
The Argentina international's two-year loan deal finishes at the end of this season, but he has proved a useful player at Old Trafford, scoring 32 goals in 93 United appearances.
Too often utilised as a substitute in the mould of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, who made the 'super sub' title his own, Tevez would be a vital asset for any Premier League side. If they had the money...
Ji-sung Park
The South Korea international has started just 19 of United's Premier League games this season, but has been used extensively, particularly as a substitute, in the Champions League. In 2007-08, as the Reds romped to domestic and European glory, Park started 14 games and United didn't lose any of them. The Reds conceded just two goals with Park in the side. The 28-year-old's energy and never-say-die attitude have made him a player Sir Alex Ferguson can call on for the big occasion.
Nani
The Portugal midfielder has started just six Premier League games for United this season, but has been an invaluable part of the Reds' journey to the Champions League semi-final.
He also played six games in United's victorious Carling Cup campaign.
At 22, Nani has youth on his side, an eye for goal and can play on either flank, but consistency is still perhaps lacking.
Jonny Evans
'His United future is assured,' said Sir Alex Ferguson of the Northern Ireland international who has become a ready deputy for first choice centre-backs Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand this season.The 21-year-old has started a commendable 21 Premier League games for United in 2008-09, having earned some valuable first-team action on loan at Roy Keane's Sunderland in the last two years.
Darron Gibson
The Republic of Ireland international has had to earn his spot in the United squad, impressing during loan spells with Royal Antwerp and Wolves.
His breakthrough came last season when he made 24 appearances in all competitions, but Gibson has been more of a peripheral figure in 2008-09, starting just eight games for United.
But the midfield player is still only 21.
Federico Macheda
An unknown 17-year-old a month ago. Then he stepped up with an injury-time winner against Aston Villa and his Facebook pictures were all over the place. His first start against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final was far from convincing, but only time will tell if the Italian striker is a genuine talent. Let's face it - the signs look good. Why else would Lazio be making such a fuss about his move to Old Trafford?
Ben Foster
He may not be playing regular first-team football, but England boss Fabio Capello broke with his own protocol to select the young goalkeeper in his most recent squad. Foster's Carling Cup heroics did a lot to enhance his CV, but surely the 26-year-old will be counting down the days until 39-year-old Edwin van der Sar vacates the ground.
Danny Welbeck
Just seven starts for the 18-year-old this season, but how do you get into a team when Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov and Tevez are available? Welbeck has scored three goals in 12 appearances for United in this campaign, playing 10 of those games in the FA and Carling Cups.The signs are encouraging for the young English striker.
Typical, just typical. Sir Alex Ferguson wants a home win in the first leg of his side's Champions League semi-final and his fourth-choice right-back pops up with the winner.
John O'Shea may be behind Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Rafael in the Old Trafford pecking order but he would walk into many a Premier League team.
Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney or PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs - it is Manchester United's strength in depth that really sets them apart from their rivals.
The FA Cup semi-final against Everton may have been a bridge (or a bumpy pitch) too far but Ferguson's squad certainly boasts an embarrassment of riches.
They may be on the periphery of the United first-team but how many top flight managers wouldn't mind one of these lot in their starting XI next season?
John O'Shea
The Irishman has made more than 300 appearances for United, playing at left-back, right-back, in the centre of defence and carrying out the holding midfield role.
He even pulled on the goalkeeper's gloves on one occasion (in February 2007 against Spurs, when Edwin van der Sar was injured and United had used all three substitutes).
O'Shea's versatility has been invaluable during his decade at Old Trafford, but how good a player could he be with regular first-team football?
Anderson
The 21-year-old midfielder has bags of potential but has been used sparingly in the Premier League this season, starting just 10 games and making five substitute appearances.
Sir Alex Ferguson does tend to utilise Anderson in Champions League ties, however - he played nine of the Reds' 13 European matches during the last campaign and has featured in nine games so far this season.
Despite 72 appearances in a United shirt in all competitions, the Brazil international has yet to score for his club.
Carlos Tevez
His work rate may have won over Manchester United supporters but Tevez's future at the club remains uncertain.
The Argentina international's two-year loan deal finishes at the end of this season, but he has proved a useful player at Old Trafford, scoring 32 goals in 93 United appearances.
Too often utilised as a substitute in the mould of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, who made the 'super sub' title his own, Tevez would be a vital asset for any Premier League side. If they had the money...
Ji-sung Park
The South Korea international has started just 19 of United's Premier League games this season, but has been used extensively, particularly as a substitute, in the Champions League. In 2007-08, as the Reds romped to domestic and European glory, Park started 14 games and United didn't lose any of them. The Reds conceded just two goals with Park in the side. The 28-year-old's energy and never-say-die attitude have made him a player Sir Alex Ferguson can call on for the big occasion.
Nani
The Portugal midfielder has started just six Premier League games for United this season, but has been an invaluable part of the Reds' journey to the Champions League semi-final.
He also played six games in United's victorious Carling Cup campaign.
At 22, Nani has youth on his side, an eye for goal and can play on either flank, but consistency is still perhaps lacking.
Jonny Evans
'His United future is assured,' said Sir Alex Ferguson of the Northern Ireland international who has become a ready deputy for first choice centre-backs Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand this season.The 21-year-old has started a commendable 21 Premier League games for United in 2008-09, having earned some valuable first-team action on loan at Roy Keane's Sunderland in the last two years.
Darron Gibson
The Republic of Ireland international has had to earn his spot in the United squad, impressing during loan spells with Royal Antwerp and Wolves.
His breakthrough came last season when he made 24 appearances in all competitions, but Gibson has been more of a peripheral figure in 2008-09, starting just eight games for United.
But the midfield player is still only 21.
Federico Macheda
An unknown 17-year-old a month ago. Then he stepped up with an injury-time winner against Aston Villa and his Facebook pictures were all over the place. His first start against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final was far from convincing, but only time will tell if the Italian striker is a genuine talent. Let's face it - the signs look good. Why else would Lazio be making such a fuss about his move to Old Trafford?
Ben Foster
He may not be playing regular first-team football, but England boss Fabio Capello broke with his own protocol to select the young goalkeeper in his most recent squad. Foster's Carling Cup heroics did a lot to enhance his CV, but surely the 26-year-old will be counting down the days until 39-year-old Edwin van der Sar vacates the ground.
Danny Welbeck
Just seven starts for the 18-year-old this season, but how do you get into a team when Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov and Tevez are available? Welbeck has scored three goals in 12 appearances for United in this campaign, playing 10 of those games in the FA and Carling Cups.The signs are encouraging for the young English striker.
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