Sir Alex Ferguson has announced the 22 Manchester United players that will be making the trek across the Atlantic for Tour 2010, and it will be good to see at least two of the old guard one more time.
Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have endured a nearly combined 35 preseason tours to various countries during their time at Old Trafford, and this might just be the swan song for all of them. Gary Neville, the United skipper, will miss out on tour, because he picked up another muscle injury.
Due to their exertions in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Ji-Sung Park will not be joining up with the rest of the squad for trip to North America.
However, Javier 'Chicarito' Hernandez will be joining up with the other United players on July 27th in Houston - prior to the 2010 MLS All-Star Game.
Anderson (knee), Michael Owen (hamstring), Rio Ferdinand (knee), Owen Hargreaves (knees) will all be sitting out the tour has they are recovering from their respective injuries.
With some of the top players like Rooney and Vidic missing out, it will give the chance for the American supporters the chance to see some of the promising youngsters.
Chance
Federico Macheda, Gabriel Obertan, Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling will all be given ample enough playing time to show Sir Alex that they are ready for a place in the first-team squad.
Macheda was set to play a vital role in United's 2009/10 season after having a breakout end of the previous, but a wide variety a nagging injuries prevent the supporters from seeing the player that Sir Alex calls, "the next superstar" at Old Trafford.
Obertan is lanky winger that has explosive speed and can be a real game-changer with his ability and willingness to take on defenders. The young Frenchman showed some real promise following his shock transfer last summer - especially in his brief cameos away to Chelsea and Manchester City.
Cleverley is probably one of the most unknown players on the tour, but after it, the supporters will know the talents of this naturally gifted player. The 20-year old attacking midfielder, who is being closely tracked by Newcastle United, scored 11 goals in 33 appearances for Watford in the Championship last season, which clearly shows that he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Smalling, who officially arrived from Fulham on July 1st, will draw a lot of attention - and not just because of his size. The 6'4" center-back is seen as the long-term replacement to the aging Ferdinand, so his performances will put under the microscope, because he is a virtually unproven youngster that was playing with Maidstone United just two seasons ago.
Travelling Squad
Goalkeepers: E. van der Sar, T. Kuszczak, B. Amos; Defenders: W. Brown, R. De Laet, J. Evans, Fabio, J.O'Shea, Rafael, C. Smalling; Midfielders: T. Cleverley, D. Fletcher, D. Gibson, R. Giggs, Nani, C. Evans, G. Obertan, P. Scholes; Forwards: D. Berbatov, M. B. Diouf, J. Hernandez (Houston - 7/27), F. Macheda, D. Welbeck
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