Manchester United's Greatest 23-Man Squad Of The Premier League Era

Given how prevalent wingers have become in the modern game, the role of full back is often a thankless one, as players in the position are expected not only to contain their tricky counterparts defensively, but frequently surge forward to aid their own wingers in hassling their opposite numbers.

As with the centre of defence, United have been fortunate enough to retain the services of a select few full backs for long periods of their Premier League tenure. Though frustrating for some, such as perennial deputies like John O'Shea and Wes Brown, this has ensured consistency across the whole back four for years at a time, though Sir Alex Ferguson opted out of buying a young Gareth Bale because the club already had two solid left backs in the form of Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze, and we all know how he turned out...

As a result of this, there are only a few real contenders for four full back spots, as few signings have ever been needed in the position to usurp established players, with dependable backups seemingly always available to provide cover when needed.

Gary Neville needs no introduction, having broken into the team alongside the other members of the 'Class of 92' in the mid-nineties, when Sir Alex Ferguson opted to eschew replacing departing players with expensive signings in favour of giving the youth an opportunity instead.

Alan Hansen will take his early criticism of this tactic (infamously stating that 'you'll never with anything with kids') to the grave, as Neville became one of the quintessential examples of a one-club man, devoting his entire playing career to United and serving as the first choice right back for the bulk of seventeen years as a result, retiring in 2011 and subsequently becoming a highly-renowned pundit, able to back his opinions and analysis with his extensive playing experience.