Ian Welch - Little Book of Manchester United

Beckham

David Beckham was born on 2 May 1975 and signed professionally for United in 1992 after joining as a trainee in 1991. He had come to Uniteds attention after winning a Bobby Charlton skills competition at the age of 11. He made his first-team debut in September 1992 coming on as a substitute at Brighton but he had to wait a further two years for another chance and he made the most of it by scoring against Galatasaray in the European Cup.

*Beckham celebrates to the crowd after scoring a goal during the Premiership match against Everton, August 1997.

He gained a regular place in midfield during 1995-96, scoring eight goals during 32 appearances and collecting an FA Cup winners medal. The opening game against Wimbledon the following season was to mark the start of the David Beckham phenomenon when he scored from 57 yards in the dying minutes of the game.

Beckham made the transition from promising youngster to Englands main creative force in just one season, making his debut under Glen Hoddle in September 1996 in Moldova. He enjoyed a momentous season and collected a second Championship medal and was voted the PFAs Young Player of the Year. Despite immense interest in his relationship with Victoria Adams (Posh Spice), Beckham continued to impress on the field, becoming Uniteds top scorer during the 1997-98 season. But the World Cup in 1998 saw Beckham sent off after retaliation against an Argentinian player in a second-round match and many blamed him for England losing the game.

*Beckham scores the opening goal during the league match between Villa and United at Villa Park, 2003.

He returned from the World Cup to vitriolic abuse, but quickly knuckled down and proved wrong all those who thought his career in English football was over. He went on to captain the England side four years later and, despite going out in the quarter-finals to Brazil, the team returned home as heroes. Beckham enjoyed further success at Old Trafford including the 1998-99 Treble before his departure to Real Madrid in June 2003.

After winning La Liga championship in his final season with the club he joined LA Galaxy in 2007 and also enjoyed a loan spell with AC Milan in 2009. His move to Milan has helped prolong his England career and he has now amassed 115 caps, more than any outfield player in the history of English football.

Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov is a classy centre-forward, pairing the ability to ruthlessly find the net inside the box with magical touches outside of it.

Berbatov started out at Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia where his talent quickly attracted the attention of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen who made their move for the front man in January 2001. Although he was national team captain and Bulgarian Player of the Year in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007, he made a slow start to his time in Germany albeit regularly shining in the Champions League.

He was eventually lured to the Premier League when Tottenham signed him in July 2006 for a reported 10.9 million fee. He was an instant hit at White Hart Lane scoring his first competitive goal two minutes into his home League debut against Sheffield United. He went on to score 23 goals in his opening season, which he matched again in 2007-08.

*Fabricio Coloccini of Newcastle United is unable to stop Dimitar Berbatov scoring.

After months of speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2008, Sir Alex Ferguson finally got his man on transfer deadline day with just minutes to go. Berbatov signed a four-year contract on 1 September 2008 for an undisclosed fee, with Fraizer Campbell heading to White Hart Lane on a season-long loan as part of the deal.

Berbatov opened his account for the Reds in the same month with two goals away at Aalborg in the Champions League and finished his first season with 14 goals in 42 appearances. He has now racked up 26 goals for the Reds.

Best

On 16 August 1961, George Best signed as an apprentice for United and went on to become one of the most prolific professionals of all time. The Belfast Boy, born on 22 May 1946, went on to sign professionally in May 1963, making his League debut against West Bromwich Albion in September, but remained in the reserves until December that year when he scored in a 5-1 victory. He kept his place on the team and went on to play 466 League, Cup and European games, scoring 178 goals.

Although Best won 37 caps for Northern Ireland he made his debut in April 1964 he never actually played in the finals of a major tournament. Not only did he make a name for himself with his goalscoring, Best was renowned for taking on his opponents which was exciting for his fans. Women, particularly, took a shine to Best and footballs popularity during the 1960s blossomed alongside his cult status. Best was also gifted at making space for his team-mates, notably Bobby Charlton and Denis Law.

*George Best against Fulham, 1971.

Nicknamed El Beatle by the Portuguese after a European Cup match against Benfica in 1966, Best had become footballs answer to the Liverpudlian pop idols with his entertaining football and rebel lifestyle. United won the Championship in 1967 and during the following season he enjoyed his greatest success, scoring 28 League goals and inspiring the team to become the first English club to win the European Cup. 1968 saw Best given the titles of Player of the Year, in both England and Northern Ireland, and European Footballer of the Year.

Two seasons later, however, Best was involved in a number of clashes with referees, United started to go downhill, and late nights fuelled with alcohol added to the slippery slope. Matt Busbys retirement in 1969 seemed to mark the end for George Best. He was fined 100 and received a months suspension for knocking the ball from the hands of a referee during a League Cup semi-final against Manchester City, During the 1968-69 season. His performance both on and off the pitch was becoming erratic, but he always remained a difficult opponent. At the end of the 1970 season he was sent off while playing for Northern Ireland for spitting and throwing mud at the referee.

*George in action during the Division One match against Everton played at Old Trafford, in 1968.

Despite being the top United scorer in May 1971 with 18 goals, his relationship with the management team at United was suffering. In 1972, after failing to turn up to training, manager Frank OFarrell dropped him, fined him two weeks wages, gave him extra training and ordered him to return to digs. He then failed to report for Northern Ireland and in May 1972 he announced his retirement while in Spain. He did return but only scored four goals in 1972-73.

George Best played his last game for United on 1 January 1974 aged 27.

He went on to play for a variety of clubs in England, Scotland and America but never again reached his outstanding form. He died in November 2005, aged 59, losing his battle with illnesses linked to alcoholism, and his death was mourned worldwide.