Date of birth: 07/11/1978

Peckham-born defender who has turned into one of the world's best centre backs. Composure is the name of his game, but he only looks so calm because his shrewd reading of the game affords him more time than most defenders. He is strong in the air when he needs to be, but you won't often see him getting involved in any rough stuff. Had spells at West Ham and Leeds before moving to United for £30m.

At his best when: Snuffing out attacks before they start

At his worst when: Switching off - it's only concentration lapses that let Ferdinand down