Reds' boss Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his squad that no player will be guaranteed a regular place as he revives the rotation policy.
Though there were no ever-presents in United's pool last term. Outfield players Wayne Rooney made 51 starts out of the Reds' 60-match programme, Michael Carrick (50), Cristiano Ronaldo (49) and Rio Ferdinand (48).
But the punishing schedule coupled to a crippling late winter and spring injury list cost United in their bid for the Treble.
However, signing up Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson plus the probable arrival of Carlos Tevez will beef up the competition among United's seniors and present Sir Alex with a constant selection headache from August to May.
"The evidence of last year tells us that we need a strong squad. Now we have a very strong squad," said the Reds' boss.
"Yes, it is going to take management but I think players understand today that quite clearly in order to challenge for everything, you need a strong squad.
"It means you don't play all the games. No-one will play all the games next year. Hopefully they will accept that and they get on with the business of trying to achieve success for us.
"In the 1990s, we rotated our squad very well. Last season we had a great opportunity in that we were involved in three tournaments. We were in the semi-final of Europe and in the FA Cup final but we just didn't have enough bodies to stretch our squad out and save legs where we could have saved legs.
"The injuries we got all in the space of a few weeks, first of all with Mikael Silvestre at the beginning of February, then Gary Neville from March 17, Nemanja Vidic did his shoulder on last day of our March and was out until last day of the season virtually. Patrice Evra was injured, Rio Ferdinand suffered his groin problem. Ji Sung Park was a big loss to us and Louis Saha missed the second half of the season.
"In that situation, in a way I regretted allowing the young lads to stay out on loan. If I had been selfish and kept them we would have had a far better chance.
Heavy
"In fact, I think we would have had a terrific chance of getting to the final of the Champions League and a good chance of winning the FA Cup.
"I am not going to judge ourselves against others but I am satisfied with the squad."
The trio of new faces, that might be a quartet if the Tevez transfer is sorted out, could mean United's squad tis top heavy.
Gabriel Heinze's future is still unclear with Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Newcastle all keen on the Argentinian full-back.
Alan Smith's position has been under scrutiny all summer, having been knocked back in his plans to discuss a new contract.
Kieran Richardson may also be surplus to requirements with West Ham showing an interest and even City being linked with him.
Ferguson says has no concrete plans at present to show anybody the door.
But he admits: "It may happen, because some players will view the situation and think they won't get enough games. But there are no decisions made at the moment."
What do you think? Have your say.
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JonyB-), North Staffs (10/07/2007 at 11:57)
Hilton (10/07/2007 at 12:24)
Here's hoping Rooney will be OK with the "new" situation.
I was at OT last season watching an out of form Rooney struggling that I felt sorry for him and felt Sir AF could have saved him that day. His touch had desserted him but to be fair the boy kept on trying.
I just wonder if Sir AF will have the patience with Rooney in that situation with the bench spoilt for choice.
At times last season you would be looking at the bench for someone to come in and change the game. Who is there Alan Smith, Kieron Richardson and JOS.
now we have had a big debate about the three and maybe I should add Fletcher (to some extent)
Palmer, London (yeah, yeah, heard it all before) (10/07/2007 at 12:44)
Andy Bergen, Bergen, Norway (10/07/2007 at 13:07)
Another point is that we'll, when everyone's fit, have a lot of players who are good enough for first team football. I would suggest something like this, based on last season's performances:
First team: van der Saar - Neville, Rio, Vidiv, Evra - Scholes, Carrick - Giggs, Rooney, Ronaldo - Teves.
Second eleven: Foster - Evans/Pique, Brown, Silvestre, O' Shea - Hargreaves, Fletcher - Nani, Anderson, Park - Saha
Probably going: Heinze, Smith & Richardson.
Other squad members: Kuszczak, Evans/Pique, Bardsley, Eagles, Solskjær, Rossi & Dong. Don't know if Eckersley or Jones is ready, but cannot see that will have playing time anyway.
Quite a decent squad, and with possibly 64 matches plus internationals, there ought to be chances for most players to get to contribute to a succesful season. I know there's a tendency to do worse when you change and chop every weekend, but if we're to go for the League, CL and FA-cup, we'll have to keep the stars fresh, and I think SAF has planned well for this. Can't wait for August :-)
Birdy, Ireland (10/07/2007 at 13:29)
I think it will be interesting to see what our first 11 eleven is for the first derby match, as everyone will be fit and raring to go, and it will be too soon to be resting players. That team will tell a lot about SAF's plans for the remainder of the season
Alias Smith, over the moon (10/07/2007 at 13:38)
Alias Smith, over the moon (10/07/2007 at 14:10)
Certainly, that is the firm belief of the Carrick-sceptics. I am more inclined to believe that the team selection will depend on the oppo and can definitely see Hargreaves in the team (but perhaps not at the expense of Carrick) for games like Chelsea and Liverpool and away in Europe (don't get me started!).
Justin The Great, manchester (10/07/2007 at 14:24)
Look back guys - its been a good two years of tinkering with him, expect to see similar progress with Nani and Anderson. DO NOT FORGET that there are limited youngsters that have a learning curve as steep as Ronaldo's. He is truely a special talent as is Rooney. I can see Nani being a very strong and effective midfielder which would damage defenses when swapped around with Ronaldo. Anderson will bring very special moments like Scholes. We have signed two very precious talents lets not get too exited for know though and dont be afraid of SAF's tactics......
TEVEZ WILL SIGN in the next 72hrs.....
Mike (10/07/2007 at 14:25)
Balders, Tier 2 Stretford (10/07/2007 at 14:37)
JonyB-), North Staffs (10/07/2007 at 14:54)
But as a side line what about fergies strongest EVER squad - pulling players from all his great teams - hes my suggestion
GK: Schmeichel, Sealey, Foster
FB: G.Neville, Irwin, Parker
CB: Pallister, Bruce, Stam, Ferdinand, Vidic
CM: Robson, Ince, Keane, Scholes, Anderson, Strachan, Webb
Win: Giggs, Beckham, Ronaldo, Nani, Sharpe, Kanchelskis
St: Cantona, Hughes, RVN, Rooney
Pre Fergie (Post Busby) would their be places for my favourate players - Jordan, Buchan, Coppell, Hill, Macari, Thomas, Pearson
Interesting???
JonyB-), North Staffs (10/07/2007 at 14:56)
haughton the blue, stockport (10/07/2007 at 15:16)
Balders, Tier 2 Stretford (10/07/2007 at 15:40)
Chris, Ireland, Ireland (10/07/2007 at 15:54)
JonyB-), North Staffs (10/07/2007 at 16:09)
Still no Paddy Roach though!!!!
Mick, Dublin (10/07/2007 at 16:21)
I think they will be played together in all of our big games as a "Gattuso-Pirlo" style partnership. This will definitely happen in Europe and almost certainly in all of our big games in the league. Scholes will play just ahead of them.
In routine Premier league games I see Hargreaves being dropped and we will play 4-4-2, with Scholes and Carrick in the centre, just like we did last season (if it ain't broke don't fix it!). In these games the slots that will be up for grabs will be on the wings, with Giggs getting some much-needed rest from time to time.
This doesn't leave much chance for Scholes to be rested so I can see us playing OH and Carrick in a 4-4-2 against the weakest teams in the league. But I most definitely don't think Carrick will be playing any fewer games than OH in 07/08.
JonyB-), North Staffs (10/07/2007 at 16:37)
Sparky, Salford (10/07/2007 at 16:49)
Chris, Ireland, Ireland (10/07/2007 at 17:03)
red john (10/07/2007 at 17:08)
Steve, Glossop (10/07/2007 at 17:10)
Duncan, London (10/07/2007 at 17:34)
RCH, Salford (10/07/2007 at 17:46)
JonyB-), North Staffs (10/07/2007 at 17:53)
So i'm not sure we'll have an emphatic First11 of untouchables aka Chav$ki, rather a First 15/16 dependant on form, opponents and situation. And for anyone listerning - after last year you'd be mad to ignore Carricks achievements but i'm sure i'm in a minority again!!