The most recent championship roster of Manchester United. Where are they now?

Since Manchester United's last championship, more than a decade has elapsed. The 2012/2013 season marked the final chapter for the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. After 27 years at the helm of the team, the esteemed Scotsman departed Old Trafford, securing the club's 13th Premier League title and 20th overall.

Not a single player from that championship roster remains with the team, and Manchester United has yet to make a serious bid for victory in the world's most formidable football league. In this narrative, let us reminisce about those players who forged triumph in the Premier League and ascertain their current pursuits.

David De Gea

De Gea, a product of Madrid's Atlético, where he carved out his reputation. In 2011, as a promising goalkeeper, the young Spaniard crossed over to the Misty Albion, solidifying his place between the posts for United for many years. In recent seasons, David's career has seen a decline, and upon the expiration of his contract, the goalkeeper left the team. Since last summer, the 33-year-old Spaniard has been a free agent.

Rafael

In contrast to his twin brother Fabio, Rafael showcased himself better at Manchester United and was the primary right-back that season. During his tenure with the Mancunians, the Brazilian played over 150 matches and, in 2015, moved to Lyon. After a season in Turkish Basaksehir, he returned to finish his career in his homeland. Rafael, now 33, currently plays for Botafogo.

Patrice Evra

The legendary left-back devoted a significant portion of his career to Manchester United. In 2014, he transferred to Juventus, briefly visiting Marseille's Olympique. Concluding his career, he returned to England, playing five matches for West Ham in the 2017/18 season. Currently, he works as a television pundit and owns 90% of Portuguese club Estrela.

Rio Ferdinand

Undoubtedly, Ferdinand was one of the finest center-backs in English football. After his move from Leeds in 2002, Rio spent a remarkable 12 years with the Red Devils. He concluded his career in 2015 with Queens Park Rangers, who left the Premier League at the end of the season. Currently, Ferdinand runs his blog and serves as a pundit on British television.

Nemanja Vidic

Vidic, alongside Ferdinand, formed perhaps the best center-back pairing of that era. However, injuries significantly hindered the Serbian throughout his career. After the 2014/15 season, Nemanja joined Inter, but health issues prevented him from showcasing his abilities properly. In early 2016, the footballer terminated his contract with the team and decided to retire. Currently, Vidic is preparing to become a coach, undergoing training while simultaneously participating in veterans' matches.

Chris Smalling

In that season, the 23-year-old defender was utilized as a rotational player, spending a total of nine years at Old Trafford. In 2019, he moved to Roma on loan, and a year later, the Romans acquired his contract. Smalling, now 34, continues to defend the colors of the Italian club under the guidance of José Mourinho.

Johnny Evans

Evans, a product of the Red Devils' academy, made his debut for the main United squad back in 2007. The defender often deputized for his teammates, serving as a rotational player. Subsequently, Johnny played for West Bromwich and Leicester, returning to Manchester United as a free agent last summer. In this season, the 36-year-old footballer has garnered sufficient playing experience but cannot boast a role in the starting lineup.

Phil Jones

In 2011, Manchester United spent £16.5 million to acquire the young and promising defender from Bolton. Initially, the player showcased promise, but over time, he began to make more frequent mistakes and became a symbol of the club's misfortunes in recent years. In the summer of 2023, after the expiration of his contract with the club, Jones became a free agent.

Antonio Valencia

In 2009, the Ecuadorian footballer moved to Manchester United from Wigan. He dedicated a total of 10 years to the Mancunians, but injuries prevented him from fully realizing his potential. He concluded his career at the age of 35 and established a football team in his homeland.

Anderson

The Brazilian was acquired in 2007, with the club investing €30 million in him. Initially, the player justified the investment, but over time, he played less due to injuries. After a loan spell at Fiorentina, Anderson played several years in his homeland and concluded his career at Turkish Adana Demirspor, hanging up his boots at the age of 32. Currently, he works as an assistant coach for the team and remains in hiding from the Brazilian police. He is accused of involvement in an organized criminal group that stole €5.5 million and laundered the money through cryptocurrency.

Darren Fletcher

Another product of the club's academy. In the early 2000s, he secured a place in the main lineup but eventually began to lose his place, facing tough competition. After 2.5 years at West Bromwich, he moved to Stoke City, where he dropped to the Championship and concluded his career. Currently, Darren is the technical director of Manchester United.

Ryan Giggs

Without exaggeration, Giggs became a true symbol of the Ferguson era. The Welshman spent his entire professional career in Manchester, winning numerous trophies with the team. He played around a thousand matches for the club, setting a record in this regard. After retiring, he worked in Manchester United's coaching staff and led the Welsh national team. However, in 2021, after an incident involving an assault on two women by the coach, he was suspended from his position.

Michael Carrick

In 2006, Carrick moved from Tottenham and became an indispensable player in the central midfield for many years. Ferguson referred to Michael as the best English footballer. He concluded his career in 2018 and joined the coaching staff of the team. Since the fall of 2022, he has been quite successful as the head coach of Middlesbrough, which narrowly missed promotion to the Premier League last season.

Nani

After transferring from Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese was considered the new Ronaldo, but over time, he lost his place in the lineup and was forced to leave the club. He returned to Sporting several times and played for a handful of other teams. The 37-year-old winger currently performs well in the Turkish Süper Lig for Adana Demirspor.

Paul Scholes

Another legendary Manchester United player, like Giggs, spent his entire career in his hometown team, achieving significant success. In 2011, Scholes decided to retire, but when Manchester United faced a personnel crisis in the winter of 2012, he decided to resume playing and was in such good form that he continued until May 2013. After retiring, he tried his hand at coaching. Along with other Manchester United legends, he is a co-owner of Salford City, competing in English League 2.

Tom Cleverley

After several loans, Cleverley briefly established himself in the Red Devils' first team and even earned a call-up to the England national team. In 2023, after missing a season due to injury, he concluded his career at Watford.

Ashley Young

One of the few players from that team who continues to perform at a high level. Young is now 38 years old, but he has no intention of ending his career. Last summer, the defender moved from Aston Villa to Everton on a free transfer.

Shinji Kagawa

Kagawa, before the start of that season, made a move from Borussia Dortmund as the Bundesliga's top player. However, the Japanese midfielder could not fully establish himself in England. After two seasons at Old Trafford, he returned to Dortmund but did not replicate his past performances. After wandering through second-tier European clubs, he returned to his homeland. Currently, he plays for Cerezo Osaka.

Wayne Rooney

The forward had an outstanding career at Manchester, etching his name permanently in the club's history. He won numerous trophies with the team and became the club's all-time leading goalscorer. After leaving Man United, he played for his hometown Everton, D.C. United, and Derby County. Rooney ventured into coaching but, as a manager, has struggled. Recently, he was relieved of his position as the head coach of Birmingham due to disappointing results.

Robin van Persie

The Dutchman excelled at Arsenal and moved to Man United as one of the Premier League's main stars. After a championship-winning season, the forward slowed down a bit and soon left the club. After three years at Fenerbahçe, he returned to finish his career in his homeland. Van Persie is currently part of the coaching staff at Feyenoord, leading the youth team.

Danny Welbeck

After loan spells at Preston and Southampton, Welbeck managed to secure a place in the lineup for his hometown team but did not shine in terms of goal-scoring and was eventually sold to Arsenal. Now, at the age of 33, Danny continues to perform at a high level. The forward looks decent in Brighton's lineup but lacks notable consistency.

Chicharito

The Mexican forward joined Man United as a "super sub" and performed quite well in that role. However, after Ferguson's departure, Chicharito lost his place in the lineup. He played for a few more years in Europe with Bayer and West Ham before heading to MLS. Since November of last year, he has been a free agent.

Alex Ferguson

The legendary Fergie took charge of United in 1986. Over 27 years at the helm, the manager nurtured multiple generations of exceptional footballers and led the club to countless trophies. After the Scotsman decided to retire, Manchester United was led by illustrious coaches, but none managed to bring the team to the long-awaited championship. Ferguson, now 82, is a member of the club's board of directors.