Cristiano Ronaldo became Manchester United's newest young hero when he signed from Sporting Lisbon in August 2003 and was immediately given David Beckham's number 7 shirt.
The Portuguese teenager was expected to take his time to settle in England, but made an immediate impact with a stunning debut against Bolton at Old Trafford. While he did not always replicate that level of performance in his first season, Ronaldo's tricks were always entertaining at the very least.
Sir Alex Ferguson made sure he gave the youngster plenty of rest, and the three week break he enjoyed after Christmas certainly paid dividends with some inspirational performances towards the end of the season.
He started the tournament on the bench, but his performances and goals persuaded Luiz Felipe Scolari to make him a crucial part of the team that went all the way to the final, though Ronaldo was left in tears after Greece spoiled the hosts' party.
Those tears were soon turned into smiles though as he became a firm favourite with the Old Trafford faithful in his second season at the club. Indeed, along with fellow youngster Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo's superb season was one of the few highlights in an otherwise poor campaign at Old Trafford.
Despite a small dip mid-season, his crowd-pleasing tricks saw him make 50 appearances all in all, scoring nine, often lavish, goals including two in a Barclays Premiership game against Arsenal.
He continued this fine form for Portugal, scoring seven goals as they made a strong start in their World Cup 2006 qualifying group. 2005/06 was a mixed season for him, with off-field troubles and heartbreak affecting his form on it. He improved after Christmas, scoring six goals in five games in February, including one in the Carling Cup final.
Ronaldo also performed well for Portugal in the World Cup in Germany, helping them get to the semi-finals, although his tournament was overshadowed by the part he was alleged to have played in getting Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney sent off in the quarter-finals. The young winger was made public enemy number one by the English press, while quotes attributed to him about wanting to join Real Madrid only made him more unpopular.
With many fans, both opposition and Manchester United, baying for his blood at the start of the season, Ronaldo rose above the criticism to put in some stunning performances for the Red Devils and was the key figure in their push for the title in 2006/07, not only winning that trophy but also every individual award going and establishing himself as one of the best players in Europe.
He continued to shine in 2007/08, his fine form helping United to a Premier League and Champions League double.
He scored 42 goals (just two short of Ruud van Nistelrooy's club record), but beat George Best's long-standing goal-scoring record for a midfielder.
One of those goals came in the Champions League final against Chelsea and, despite missing a penalty in the subsequant shoot-out, United still claimed glory.
Such was his impressive form that he attracted the interest of Spanish giants Real Madrid. He has done little to dismiss rumours of a move there, and it still remains unclear if he will be playing his football in Manchester or Madrid next season.
Manchester United Trophy Room
The FA Premiere League Trophy/Football league division one
United have won 17 League Championships in total, one less than Liverpool’s record haul of 18 titles. United's total includes ten Premier League titles (since 1992) and seven First Division Championships (pre 1992).
Years of United won the trophy : 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008
FA CUPThe club’s first win in the competition came in 1909 against Bristol City (1-0). The Reds had to wait until 1948 to reach another final when they beat Blackpool 4-2 at Wembley stadium. The club appeared in consecutive finals in 1957 and 1958.
Football League CUPThe Carling Cup or Football League Cup (also previously known as the Worthington Cup, Milk Cup, Coca-Cola Cup and Rumbelows Cup) was first played in 1961. Manchester United have won the competition only twice; in 1992, the Reds defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the final at Wembley, and in 2006 beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Years of United won the trophy : 1992, 2006
FA CHARITY / COMMUNITY SHIELD
The Shield was initially introduced as a professionals v amateurs charity match with the first game being played in 1908. The reigning Football League Champions, Manchester United, took on Queens Park Rangers, the then-Southern League Champions. This format, with the occasional representative side taking part, was to form the basis of the competition for many years. Years of United won the trophy : 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967, 1977, 1983, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008
European Cup / UEFA Champions LeagueUnited first played in the European Cup in 1957. The decision did not go down well with the Football League due to the fear that it would affect the quality of domestic competitions. This was quickly quashed as the competition helped raise stand ards in the English game. Years of United won the trophy : 1968, 1999, 2008
UEFA Super Cup Manchester United's first taste of the competition came in 1991 when, after the Reds' victory over Barcelona in the Cup Winners' Cup, they faced European champions Red Star Belgrade. Due to Yugoslavia's unstable political climate, it was decided the 1991 Super Sup would be settled over one leg. A Brian McClair strike was enough to hand United a 1-0 win and hand Sir Alex his third trophy.
Years of United won the trophy : 1991
European Cup Winner's Hughes was the hero in the 1991 final in Rotterdam, scoring two goals in the 68th and 75th minutes against his former club Barcelona. Ronald Koeman clawed one back for Barca but to no avail as United won the Cup Winners’ Cup at their fourth attempt. It was also their final attempt – the subsequent FA Cup triumphs, in 1994, 1996 and 1999, were topped by league titles and therefore the club qualified for an d entered the Champions League instead - before UEFA abolished the competition in 1999. Years of United won the trophy : 1991 
Name: Old Trafford
Nickname: Theatre of Dreams
Inauguration: 1909
Capacity: 76,000 seats
Record Attendance: 76,962; Wolves-Grimsby, 25 March 1939
Address: Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA (view map)
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