Manchester United: Player-by-Player Guide to Their 2012-13 Premier League Squad

Manchester United have as many players on their books as anyone, but those who stay after the transfer deadline will be spread between the Premier League, Champions League and Cup squads.

If a striker comes in, there is still every chance that Berbatov will go before September 4. If Steven Fletcher is worth £10 million, so is Berba—even at 31. He is a truly gifted player. It's a pity he didn't quite work out.

So, although he is currently on United's roster, he may not be by the time the registered Premier League squad is announced. He currently has the number nine shirt, but with only No. 2 and No. 20 available below 28, surely Robin van Persie would get the cherished striker shirt if he comes?

For the time being, United have 45 players listed as active on the Premier League site, including:

Owen, who has been released; Ben Amos on loan to Hull; Zeki Fryers and Paul Pogba who have both gone; and Fabio on loan to QPR.

Apart from Will Keane, Evans and Smalling who are all injured, and Joshua and Michael King and Tom Thorpe, Ferguson has had a chance to look at all the rest at some stage or other on tour. He will now decide who else goes out on loan and/or gets sold before the deadline arrives.

Some of those decisions could be a consequence of any further signings. If they can get a work permit for Henriquez, Macheda and Joshua King may go; John Cofie is also a striker out on loan at present but could be one for the future. 

United don't have the same Financial Fair Play challenges that Chelsea, City and others do, mainly because they don't have so many highly paid players they need to shift. 

Young players don't cost so much. Fryers was probably £2,000 a week before his contract expired. Welbeck was just given a hike from £16,000 a week. The highest paid player, Rooney, is believed to be on a basic of £160,000 a week plus add-ons.

On the other hand, at City, David Silva is about to go to £190,000 a week, similar to Toure, Aguero and Tevez. Adebayor won't be far behind.

Here is the probable Premier League squad:

De Gea, Lindegaard

Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Smalling, Vidic, Rafael

Valencia, Anderson, Giggs, Carrick, Nani, Young, Scholes, Cleverley, Fletcher, Powell, Kagawa, Bebe

Berbatov or van Persie, Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck, Macheda

Under 21s: 

Johnstone, Vermijl, M Keane, Thorpe, Blackett, Wootton, Fornasier, Veseli, Petrucci, Tunnicliffe, Cole, Lingard, Brady, W Keane

No. 1 De Gea

He may have had a torrid introduction to the Premier League last season, only playing 29 matches, but it is to David De Gea's benefit that he just played five times for Spain in the Olympics and its build up.

Spain may have fluffed their lines, but it wasn't David's fault, as he made several fine saves. He also played well against Barcelona in a preseason friendly.

Sir Alex and his goal-keeping coach rate De Gea very highly. Surely, he will soon be one of the best keepers in the world.

He will be No.1 for United this season.

No. 3 Evra

Until the Premier League squad is announced, Patrice Evra still seems to be club vice-captain.

He has come under growing criticism for various reasons, recently.

The behaviour of the French squad in the last World Cup was a national disgrace and Evra was stripped of the captaincy and given a five match ban. He has since returned for some of the Euro 2012 qualifiers and was included in the squad for the Finals.

He had a stroke of fortune at Vidic's expense when the captain suffered a long knee injury. Evra almost lead the team to the Premier League title.

His sense of responsibility could be questioned, however, in key matches—specifically, the 6-1 defeat by City at home and the 4-4 draw against Everton that proved pivotal.

Evra may be one of the best attacking wing backs in the world, but even Marcello is a better defender. The Frenchman goes missing too often and has at times been run rings around.

If he scored more goals he might get less moans, but his attacking play is fast and exciting and he is integral to United's flair and attacking power.

Attack is the best form of defence, but Evra and Rafael need more support from their colleagues than most full-backs.

No. 4 Phil Jones

It is a testament to how highly Phil Jones is regarded that, as a 19 year old signing, he was immediately given the No. 4 shirt.

He has been favourably compared to Duncan Edwards for his potential versatility, but that may be his biggest challenge.

Paul Madeley (Mr. Utility) at Leeds United might have got more games, including for England, if he had one fixed position. On the other hand, John O'Shea probably got many more games for United for exactly the same reason.

Many people would see Jones as first-choice right back, but Sir Alex is likely to use Rafael this season. However, surely nobody could honestly believe that United need another right back with Jones and Smalling as able deputies. Michael Keane may also emerge as the modern John O'Shea.

In general, Jones will be groomed as a centre-back and, as his experience, understanding and confidence grow, he will surely be utilised as a defensive midfielder when required.

He has made a far better impression than Jordan Henderson who went to Liverpool for more money. We can be confident of seeing Jones bombing down the field and probably scoring goals this season.

No. 5 Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand will be pivotal in defence this season. Not because he is ahead of Nemanja Vidic, but because if he can retain his new-found fitness, he will re-establish the world class partnership with his colleague that can bring the title back to Old Trafford.

Sir Alex was one of a few people who noted Rio's slight loss of pace, so he challenged his player to use his intelligence more to make up for this. Those who remember Sir Bobby Moore will recognise that lack of pace does not need to be a problem when you read the game like Rio does.

No. 6 Jonny Evans

Jonny Evans divided opinion last season, especially as his sending off was crucial in the 6-1 defeat by City.

Nevertheless, after Nemanja Vidic was injured, he knew he had an extended run on the first team and took it with both hands.

While supporters have wrung their hands in despair in the past over Jonny, Sir Alex has never lost faith. Like Darren Fletcher, he has turned opinions around and is surely a cast-iron successor for Rio Ferdinand when he steps down.

No. 7 Valencia

Ah, the iconic No. 7 shirt: Michael Owen, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, George Best.

It's a bit like being knighted!

Shinji Kagawa had the humility to turn it down; Valencia was "humbled" to accept it.

His early idol was Rivaldo and he constantly strives to improve himself. He is a true servant of the team but can be frustrating—he doesn't even smile after scoring a stunning goal.

But he epitomises the new character of United, a team made up of players who put the team above all else.

Markedly one-footed he may be, even using the outside of his right foot rather than cross with his left. But you hardly notice as he dribbles or races past defenders, before plonking the ball on a plate for the strikers. Robin van Persie would gobble up his crosses.

Destined to spend the rest of his career at Old Trafford and become yet another "great" who honours the No. 7 shirt.

No. 8 Anderson

Hard to believe he's still only 24, as he's been at Old Trafford for more than five years.

However, he's only played 145 games in that time due to injury, including 38 in each of his first two seasons.

When Sir Alex signed him, he had previously been identified as one of the brightest young talents on the planet, scoring nine goals in 31 games for Gremio as a 16/17 year old and seven goals in 12 games for Brazil's U17s.

A broken leg in 2006-07 kept him out for five months and may have put some prospective buyers off, but United still paid £20 million for his signature.

He is very popular on and off the field at Old Trafford, despite his in and out appearances and lack of goals. He has looked back to his best in preseason and since his arrival at Old Trafford has added tackling ability.

At the start of last season, Cleverley and Anderson were on fire before both were injured. If he returns to his best, he could make missing Lucas Moura a distant memory.

No. 9 Berbatov or Van Persie

Who can imagine how hard it is to be in Dimitar Berbatov's position?

Sir Alex was desperate to sign him before he finally got his man at one minute to midnight on August 31 back in 2008 for a fee of £30 million.

He is, like Juan Sebastian Veron and Eric Cantona, one of the most outrageously gifted footballers that United have ever signed. None of them would have been out of place in the Real Madrid Galacticos side of the 1990s.

People see him as lacking pace, but the truth is that he is long in his stride, sees the game very fast, can trap and kill a ball stone dead, virtually never loses it and makes and scores goals.

It took a while for his colleagues to get used to Dimi not wanting the ball in front of him to run onto—like many strikers do—but rather hit at him at pace.

How can you be top scorer in the Premier League one season and benchwarmer the next?

The answer is because United's style has evolved to one of great skill, athleticism and pace. Berbatov is somehow seen as slowing down that style.

However, it should suit the Champions' League, so if he stays, he may feature in both that squad and the FA and League Cups. 

Out of the blue, however, Sir Alex played him as creative playmaker against Amazulu and he was a revelation—clearly man of the match.

So who knows, could he fill the void that Luka Modric was meant to fill?

More likely, however sad, is that if Robin van Persie signs, Berba will give up his shirt and his United dream as a last minute signing for a manager who, like Sir Alex, knows sheer class and footballing ability when he sees them. 

Arsene Wenger? David Moyes? Carlo Ancelotti?

No. 10 Rooney

Wayne Rooney hasn't been consistently in form for a long spell since his threat to leave in October 2010.

Eventually he did a U-turn and recommitted himself to United, following 16 goals in 40 matches that season with 35 in 44 the next.

He looked really rusty in his first couple of comeback matches this summer, but was sharp again against Hannover, threatening to form a highly successful partnership with new signing Kagawa.

But the one everyone will be drooling about will be van Persie rather than Welbeck.

Expect a highly productive season for Wayne as he shows the qualities that might persuade Sir Alex to make him captain after Vidic.

No. 11 Giggs

Ryan Giggs was outstanding as captain of Team GB, almost leading them into the semifinals and beating most predictions on progress.

However, an important lead indicator was that he did not start the last two games.

Like Paul Scholes, Ryan will not be a first-choice player this season. He can, however, be devastating coming off the bench.

Because of his leadership qualities and likely future coaching role at United, I expect him to feature in all of the Cup matches, maybe even captaining the Cup "squad" with a brief to get results and nurse the young players for future first team progress.

No. 12 Smalling

Chris Smalling is a player of real talent and, but for injuries would surely have featured in either the England or Team GB squads this summer.

United's central defence is secure for years to come, with Jonny Evans the "elder statesman" of the three younger pretenders: Smalling, Jones and Evans.

Smalling has also showed himself prepared to answer the call when necessary and played well at right-back. He is a fine header of the ball and can score goals, as he showed against Chelsea, for example.

He made the odd error in central defence, but what he needs is a run of games as soon as he is fit, which is unlikely to be before mid-October, having broken his metatarsal in a catalogue of unfortunate injuries.

No. 13 Lindegaard

Anders Lindegaard is clearly not superstitious, as he has accepted No. 13 for the coming season. He has also signed a new four-year contract. 

Some people might think he was unlucky in standing behind De Gea because he signed first for United, but he knew they were in the market for one of the top keepers in the world.

It is to his credit that he has knuckled down and is determined to fight his colleague all the way for the jersey.

That is also good for United. Lindegaard has probably leapfrogged Thomas Sorensen as Denmark's No. 2 keeper, with five caps to date. He would inevitably have been in their Euro 2012 squad this summer but for injury.

Of the two, Lindegaard is marginally better than De Gea on crosses and both are great reflex keepers. Anders is the more suspect of the two now, as his spill against Hannover showed.

No. 14 Chicharito

They say strikers mature in their late 20s, so a return of 32 goals in 81 matches is pretty impressive for Javier Hernandez, still only 24.

He has been even more impressive for Mexico, with 25 goals in 38 matches.

His first season was an eye-opener. Many well respected pundits were simply stunned at how good this relative unknown, who was signed for a mere £10 million, could be.

He is the proverbial "fox in the box." While he may have disappointed some people last season, suggesting "second season syndrome," that will not have been the case with his Boss.

Hernandez was expected to take up to two years to mature and is the natural successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was happy to be a "super-sub."

Instead, with injuries to Rooney, he was dropped in at the deep end and in his first season in Premier League football, scored a goal almost every other game. In fact, he only had 27 starts that season but 20 goals. Even last year, he had 12 goals from only 22 starts.

Naturally, during a season punctuated by injuries, he has been frustrated and desperate to prove his worth to the team. One of the results has been his propensity for offside, which he must cure.

However, like Wayne Rooney, he showed he was almost back to his sharpest against Hannover. He will need to be, even to hold down a place on the bench if van Persie arrives.

No. 15 Vidic

This is the steely determination we so sadly missed last season. 

It was not just his individual contribution, but also his uncanny understanding with Rio Ferdinand. Some have suggested that it was the best centre-back partnership in the world.

As club captain, it was also his talismanic leadership that was missed.

Although he has eased himself in through preseason, he has looked highly competent and could well have scored.

You can bet he will be at his sharpest against Everton next Monday.

No. 16 Michael Carrick

Surprise, surprise. Roy Hodgson has invited Michael Carrick back into the England fold at last. Considering his Opta stats were way better than Scott Parker or Gareth Barry last season, he should have been at Euro 2012. The FA resisted the clamour, however, and Michael will be back, batteries recharged.

Which is also excellent news for United. Okay, they could do without all the international calls this week, with a tough opener against Everton on Monday, but the squad looks like it will be as fresh for a new season as for many a year.

That will be vital to United's regaining the Premier League title, as will Carrick. Sir Alex has described him as "pivotal" to the team in the next nine months.

If he starts fast and retains his form, he can fill the gap that Luka Modric would were he not going to Real Madrid.

Ferguson's comments also hinted at a change in tactics and formation this season, with four at the back, Carrick just in front partnered by Cleverley, Anderson or Scholes behind an offensive three of Nani, Kagawa and Valencia and a front man like Rooney.

Of course this could all change if van Persie comes in.

One thing is certain. Carrick is not a DFM, but of a Xavi or Pirlo, leading and conducting the orchestra in front of him.

No. 17 Nani

Nani was excellent for Portugal at Euro 2012, subjugating himself to the needs of the team, hugging the right wing and feeding his partner in crime, Ronaldo.

When he does exactly what Sir Alex wants, as Valencia does, he can be world class. We're not saying don't come infield and shoot, but use your judgement. When there is a colleague better placed, give him the ball!

He is undoubtedly a match-winner, as his goals and assists stats for last season showed. He is genuinely two-footed, and if he stays fit he can be even better than David Silva at City.

No. 18 Young

Okay, so he won't be taking penalties any time soon and we're all disappointed he wasn't on the GB diving team at the Olympics.

But it is no accident that Young has now become a fixture in the England team and was one of the stars of Euro 2012.

He came on a bundle in his first season at United. Like Kagawa, Scholes, Rooney and Ferdinand, he is intelligent. He may be right-footed playing on the left wing, but when he steps inside he can be lethal.

He also offers the option of playing "in the hole" if need be and takes a mean free kick.

If he has to give way to Nani for much of the season, United will be playing well and Young is a top sub to be brought on.

No. 19 Welbeck

I remember seeing this 16 year old years ago and thinking he was a cross between Bambi and a small giraffe. But he had real ability with his feet and could head a ball.

He needed to grow and settle into his man's body and can still look a tad awkward at times, but mark my words, in five years time he and Will Keane will be a fixture for England.

He offers so much to Ferguson. Some might worry if he'll get games if van Persie comes in. He will. Like so many other players, he has shown himself ready to adapt to the Boss's requirements. He can play off the wing, through the middle and up front.

He is also excellent in the air, winning and holding the ball, before laying off to Rooney.

He will get plenty of games this season whatever happens, justifying his new five-year contract and will get better and better.

Scary.

No. 21 Rafael

Yes, Rafael has made some gaffes for United, but there was no way he should be blamed for losing the Olympic final.

Plenty of people have rushed to criticise him for his pass that ultimately led to the first Mexico goal after only a few seconds.

I was there and saw it first hand. I also had the chance to review it several times on YouTube before the videos were taken down. He made a legitimate pass to a teammate who was still in the dressing room. A Mexican player read it and intercepted before making the pass from which Peralta scored.

Rafael was highly enterprising in this and all of Brazil's other matches. Oscar was far more to blame for missing an open headed goal and the Brazil central defence was there for the taking.

As with other players, Sir Alex will stick by Rafael and brother Fabio, when he returns from loan, because he sees them at least as good as Marcello. Both of them have the pace and ability to dribble from one end of the pitch to the other before scoring with either foot.

Rafael will be first choice at right back and could even make a canny winger if need be.

No. 22 Scholes

He's still got it as the preseason showed, but he won't get to show much of it because he's too slow compared to the pace Sir Alex wants to play next season.

Also, if he tackles like he did in the friendly against Aberdeen, he won't see the end of any match—you can't slide tackle any more, Paul.

On his game, there is no better passer in the world, but it has become a short passing game, played at pace. Scholes has dropped deeper and deeper in recent years and tends to play pretty much up and down the tube in the middle of the park.

He could play the Carrick directeur role, but cannot tackle like Carrick nor last 90 minutes any more.

Nevertheless, he will be used against lesser opposition and I see him as fundamental to the Cup squads along with Giggs. Both will end up as coaches at United, probably at the end of this season if the young pretenders come off.

No. 23 Cleverley

It's no accident that Cleverley has been called up for England or that he was ever-present for Team GB in the Olympics.

The result is that Tom will start the season as fit as he's ever been and after the nightmare of last season that is a blessing.

When he and Anderson destroyed City at Wembley a year ago, it was "all hail" the new United midfield. Then they both got injured and Tom was brought back too soon.

It is a compliment to him that he would fit well in a top continental side. He has the gift of making the game simple and reads it extremely well. He has all the skills he needs and a great engine. He can only get better.

Last year was a setback, this year could cement him as part of United's redesigned midfield.

No. 24 Fletcher

The good news is that Fletcher still has a squad number. The even better news is he played for United against Aberdeen last night.

Now, Mike Phelan and Sir Alex are keen to play down the imminence of Darren's comeback, but if he returns fully fit, he could become as important to the development of the next generation as Roy Keane was to Fergie's Fledglings.

No. 25 Powell

When you see a team like United signing an 18 year old for £4 million you think, "He must be good, one for the future."

Some thought Powell would be a striker. Sir Alex made it clear he will be groomed for central midfield. I have said elsewhere that I believe he can be the next Michael Carrick to Kagawa's Paul Scholes.

Powell looked a precocious talent at Crewe, but my goodness he's blossoming at United. 

If Sir Alex sends him out on loan, he should get his head tested. This lad will be pushing hard for a starting place this season.

He has shown he can tackle, pass and has a phenomenal shot. He reads the game well, has great positional sense, is pacy and two-footed, though he prefers his left for shooting.

In the six games that I've seen him, he seems to have learned very fast and plays more like a 24 year old with real maturity.

Sir Alex might rue losing Lucas Moura and regret he couldn't land Luka Modric, but his new young midfield collection is starting to shape up.

No. 26 Kagawa

By golly this lad learns fast. He already looks like he has played for United for years. Rooney rates him and so do a whole host of other serious professionals.

He could turn out to emulate 2010's Chicharito coup as the signing of the season. I've watched both him and Hazard in depth the last few weeks and, frankly, Kagawa looks the better all-round player, despite Hazard's ball skill.

And he will add to United's goal tally at the rate of a second striker.

No. 27 Macheda

He may be a gifted goal scorer, but he simply hasn't progressed since his precocious appearances as a 17 year old.

Sir Alex has given him every chance—which Macheda didn't get on loan while in Italy or at QPR. Although he has shown he can hit a ball, score goals and is strong, he has looked pretty unconvincing in preseason.

So Sir Alex has a dilemma.

With Henriquez signed, Will Keane projected to be back from injury next spring and John Cofie pushing from behind, does the manager send him on loan again—at 21—or simply sell him to a club that sees his value?

Macheda wants to stay and prove himself, but if Berbatov not getting a game and van Persie possibly coming in, it could be a long wait.

No. 33 Bebe

Okay, so we don't yet have the definitive Premier League squad for United, but Bebe is back and he's got a squad number.

He also looks a lot stronger, bigger, is more solid and less of a duffer!

He certainly impressed in preseason. He is actually a striker, but once again has been playing on the wing and this time his runs, crosses and shots don't betray his background.

He seems more sure of himself, less gawky and naive. He must have made the coaches sit up and think "maybe we've got a player here?"

Let's see what the next couple of weeks leading up to the transfer deadline bring, but my instinct would be to let him go on loan to a Premier League side to get the rough edges rubbed off and then if he makes it, like Tom Cleverley did, bring him back into the fold and get value out of the £7.5 million.

And the Rest

Its hard to know what Sir Alex's thoughts are about which players might go on loan because very few can make it. He has already let the likes of Oliver Norwood go. After the Pogba and Fryers debacles, Sir Alex only wants players who will stay and play for the shirt. That's why Blackett has a new contract.

Michael Keane and his brother Will have also signed professional contracts.

This next few years, Sir Alex may have more challenges than ever before fitting in, motivating and keeping his future starlets, because there are so many.

With the signing of Henriquez, there are young pretenders from back to front. Sam Johnstone is England U19 keeper and Tom Thorpe their captain alongside Keane.

Preseason also showed that there are many young players like Tunnicliffe and Lingard fighting for recognition.

Henriquez seems likely to go on loan for the time being. Apart from the players' profiles above, we have listed the likely squad players for next season. But in the second half of the season, there are players like McGinty and Cofie who could come back into the fold.

The best of them will get their chance in the Cup matches—maybe even the Champions League depending on how United progress.

But when we talk about 18-year-olds like Blackett and Powell potentially establishing themselves in the match-day squad, you can see how exciting the future is at Old Trafford.

And that's even without Robin van Persie.