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Ferdinand missed a routine drugs test and despite appealing was banned for eight months in January 2004. He was the team’s defensive lynchpin and with Ferdinand’s ban firmly in place, United finished the season in third.

    *Rio Ferdinand clears as AS Roma forward Mirko Vucinic looks on during their Champions League match, April 2008.
    A stalwart of both the United (more than 300 appearances) and England (78 caps) defence, he signed a new five-year contract in May 2008. Six days later he went on to captain United to Champions League glory in Moscow. It was a fitting way to end a near flawless season for the centre-back. His good form continued into the 2008-09 campaign, with Ferdinand playing a crucial role in United’s record-breaking clean-sheet run.
    Ferguson
    Alex Ferguson secured his status as one of the most successful managers in the history of the game following his move to Manchester United in November 1986.
    After a playing career as a centre-forward including a spell at Rangers, Ferguson brought his skills and determination to football management. He stayed at East Stirling for three months before being offered the managerial post at St Mirren where within 18 months he turned the team around and actively encouraged crowds to come and see his team play. Ferguson then moved to Aberdeen where he broke the dominance of Celtic and Rangers in Scottish football, claiming three domestic League titles, four Scottish Cups, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and a Scottish League Cup.

    *Sir Alex Ferguson receives his manager of the month award, April 2008.
    In 1986, having been Scotland’s caretaker manager for the World Cup in Mexico, he arrived at Old Trafford. His first few seasons proved difficult and he managed three unsuccessful campaigns before United won the FA Cup in 1990. Ferguson realised that success had eluded the team simply because United had become used to Cup runs. With that in mind, he began to change his players and the departures involved Neil Webb, Jesper Olsen, Mark Robins and Paul McGrath, while newcomers included Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Peter Schmeichel, and Paul Ince.
    Ferguson’s second triumph was the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991. Changes were also taking place in the youth system which was to grant significant results, but the most significant change of all was probably the arrival of Eric Cantona. Criticised for his choice of player, Ferguson knew that Cantona was his lynchpin. His decision was proved right when United won the 1992-93 Premiership. This was followed by the Double in 1994 and domination of English football.

    *Sir Alex in hairdryer mode, April 2006.
    Fans were shocked by Ferguson’s decision to sell Hughes, Kanchelskis and Ince, but he was confident in the youngsters coming through the ranks, who included Beckham, Scholes, and Ryan Giggs. In 1999 Ferguson led his team to an unprecedented Treble by winning the Premiership, the FA Cup and the European Cup. The achievement saw Ferguson become the first working manager to be knighted – and, despite an attempt at retirement, his career and enthusiasm show no signs of slowing down with a current haul of 11 Premiership titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions League crowns and a FIFA World Club Cup in 2008.
    Foulkes
    For 18 seasons, Bill Foulkes (born 5 January 1932), was the rock at the heart of United’s defence. He arrived at United in 1950, making his League debut against Liverpool in December 1952. He had convinced Matt Busby of his fitness for the game, although in fact he had an ankle injury which affected his appearances for the remainder of the season.
    Playing at full-back, Foulkes was a regular member of the Busby Babes and was one of the survivors of the Munich air crash. Two weeks later, along with Harry Gregg, he was playing against Sheffield Wednesday in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Like Bobby Charlton, Foulkes was instrumental to Matt Busby’s rebuilding of the United team and his manager