At the start of the season, Gary Pallister was not best pleased with our start to a new campaign, defending the Premiership and European Cup.

He has since changed his tune, praising the strength in depth United have available. Whilst the greatest first XI is a topic debated by reds, there can be little argument against this current squad being the best we’ve ever had.

With Wayne Rooney injured, we’ve had Carlos Tevez in his place, with Scholes and Hargreaves injured, we’ve had Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson and Giggs to fill in, with Rio injured, there’s been Jonny Evans, with Neville and Wes, there’s been Rafael.

We have got at least a couple of top quality players for each position now and Pally definitely agrees this is the best squad the club has ever seen.

“If you look at the sheer quality and strength in depth United have at this moment you would have to say it is the best squad in the club’s history,” said Pallister. “I know what I’m saying might upset a lot of older fans, who will be wondering how the hell I can say any side is better than the Busby Babes or the team that had Law, Best and Charlton. But I don’t think any United team of the past has been able to switch players like Sir Alex has this season and still maintained a level of performance that has been exceptional. United have won the Club World Cup and are in the Carling Cup Final. They are on top of the Premier League and are looking very solid again in the Champions League. Yet at times they have been without Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Wes Brown and Patrice Evra. No other team in the world would have been able to cope without players of that calibre. Youngsters like Johnny Evans and Rafael have not looked out of place and the likes of Anderson, John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher have been excellent. Pound for pound, this has to be the best squad United have ever had.”