The 2008-2009 Premier League campaign was a magnificent one for Manchester United who took home the title with 90 points, four points above second place Liverpool. Finishing the season with 28 wins, six draws, and only four losses. Scoring 68 goals and only conceding 24 in the league. Apart from their league success, United captured the: League Cup, Community Shield, and FIFA Club World Cup. On top of UEFA Champions League/Super Cup runners up. No doubt this was one of the best United teams of the 21st century, but who made up this team and where are they now?
Edwin Van Der Sar: Arguably the greatest goalie in United history, is now retired, finishing his career at United. In the 2008-2009 season, he made 33 appearances in the league.
Gary Neville: Sir Alex Ferguson gave Gary the captains armband this season and he didn’t disappoint. Making only 13 appearances but was still putting up legendary performances. After his playing days, Gary became an excellent pundit on Sky Sports and is now occupying the manager role at Valencia in Liga BBVA.
Rio Ferdinand: Making 24 appearances in the league, the West Ham academy product impressed once again for United and exemplified his legacy in the making as one of the greatest English CB’s to play in the Premier League. Rio now occupies a role as Twitter addict having a massive social media presence while running his clothing and hat line “5”. Rio is also a guest pundit on many networks.
Nemanja Vidic: With out a doubt the reason United have been so successful for most of the 21st century, Vidic out did himself once again this season making 33 appearances scoring 4 goals. Now Vidic is currently without a club after Inter Milan terminated his contract. Rumor has him going to MLS or Serbia.
Patrice Evra: 28 appearances in the league, Patrice was a rock at the back for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side and played a crucial part in their success this season. Currently Patrice Evra is at Juventus.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Arguably the greatest signing Sir Alex Ferguson made at United and arguably the greatest player to ever play the game, Cristiano Ronaldo made 31 appearances scoring 18 goals in the league. As you all know, Ronaldo has went on to Real Madrid where he currently plays and shines coming off a Ballon d’Or year.
Michael Carrick: Fresh off his move from Tottenham, Michael impressed this season for United making 24 appearances scoring 4 times. Carrick is still playing for United this very day.
Darren Fletcher: Carrick’s midfield partner that season was Darren Fletcher who made 25 appearances scoring 3 times. Darren Fletcher left United last season and is now enjoying his football at West Brom.
Park Ji-Sung: A fan favourite at United, Park worked hard and offered blistering pace down the right flank. In this particular season, Park made 21 appearances scoring twice. Park currently is enjoying his role as a club ambassador at United.
Paul Scholes: United great Paul Scholes even in his old age had an effective season for United making 14 appearances scoring twice. Scholsey is now a pundit and partial owner of Salford City FC.
Ryan Giggs: Arguably the greatest Welsh player ever, made 15 appearances scoring twice for United this season. He is now the assistant manager at United under LVG.
Wayne Rooney: 12 goals in 25 appearances, Wayne was one of three instrumental strikers for United in 2008-2009 and is still enjoying success as United’s current captain.
Dimitar Berbatov: After making a massive deadline day switch from Tottenham at the beginning of the season for an estimated £31 million, Dimitar needed to impress and make an impact which is exactly what he did scoring nine in 29. He quickly became a fan favourite at United. He currently plays for PAOK in Greece.
Carlos Tevez: 5 goals in 18 appearances, not an ideal season but did his part. Carlos currently plays in Argentina for Boca Juniors.
John O’Shea: 20 appearances for the Irish centre-back in the 2008-2009 season. He is now enjoying captaining Sunderland.
These are just the players who made big impacts and played the most games, of course there were many more that created this 2008-2009 Manchester United team that will go down in history.
