Manchester United has one of the strongest squads from top to bottom in Europe, which means competition will be fierce, and can only benefit Sir Alex Ferguson in the long haul.
Sir Alex has just named a strong 35-man squad for the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League, which includes 24 full international players, and has to be up there in terms of most international players in any European squad.
The other 11 players that have been included by United are competing on the youth levels for their country, but you can rest assure that someday will be a full international themself.
Surprise
Owen Hargreaves, who played all of four matches last season, looks to be the surprise inclusion to the 35-man squad.
It is a good sign for United supporters, because the Canadian-born midfielder was a key contributor to the 2007/08 campaign, and can play in various positions for Sir Alex.
On top of his outstanding work rate, he contributed two critical goals in the run-up for the English Premier League title, and he also tallied one of the penalties in the Champions League final against Chelsea.
Waiting
Gabriel Obertan has been a player that every United supporter is waiting to see, because he was a bit of an unknown when Sir Alex scooped him up this summer.
The Gaffer has no question of his ability, and believes once the French U-21 star recovers from his series of injuries, he will be a great addition to our squad. He says that he is quick, tall and can play through the middle as well as out wide on the wings.
Man of the Moment
Darren Fletcher has revealed that even though he has been one of United's top performers this season, he is still worried about his place in the starting XI.
He thinks that he might have to settle for a place on the sub's bench if he doesn't perform well week in, week out, because of the level of quality players in the United midfield. With Hargreaves on the verge of a return, he will add more pressure on everyone to perform.
Squad
Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Patrice Evra, Owen Hargreaves, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Ben Foster, Ji-Sung Park, Nemanja Vidic, Michael Carrick, Nani, Paul Scholes, Fabio, Rafael, John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Antonio Valencia, Gabriel Obertan, Federico Macheda, Darron Gibson, Tomasz Kuszczak
10 additional players: Anderson, Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans, Corry Evans, Sam Hewson, David Gray, Craig Cathcart, Ron-Robert Zieler, James Chester, Ben Amos
