HARD MEN AT THE THEATRE OF SCREAMS

BILL FOULKES: (Man United career 1951-70)

One-club man who survived the Munich Air Disaster. Quiet, intense man famed for having a bite worse than his bark. Before becoming a full-time footballer worked as a miner at the Lea Green Colliery. He died in 2013, aged 81.

JIM HOLTON: (1972-76)

Cult figure of the Tommy whot: Docherty era inspired the chant: “Six foot two, eyes of blue, big Jim Holton’s after you.” Actually, he was six feet one and had brown eyes! Joined United from Shrewsbury Town and won 15 Scotland caps. He suffered two broken legs which undermined his Old Trafford career. He died in 1993, aged 42.

KEVIN MORAN: (19781988)

A legend of Gaelic football in Dublin, he was signed by Dave Sexton and became a fixture in Ron Atkinson’s days. Not the biggest but as brave as a lion and famed for battling on with blood-soaked injuries that would have halted others.

STEVE BRUCE: (1987-96)

Signed by Alex Ferguson to succeed Moran. Became a cornerstone of the United team that ended the 26-year wait for the League title and went on to dominate English football. Scorer of vital match-winning goals too and one half of the Dolly and Daisy partnership with Gary Pallister.

JAAP STAM: (19982001)

Giant Dutch defender who was blessed with an incredible turn of speed for a big man. Destroyed his United career with comments in his autobiography in which he revealed Alex Ferguson had made an illegal approach to sign him from PSV Eindhoven. Furious Fergie sold him to Lazio but later admitted throwing Stam out was one of his worst mistakes.

NEMANJA VIDIC: (2006-14)

Joined from Spartak Moscow for £7million and made a slow start. Eventually emerged as a key player providing an uncompromising, approach alongside the more cultured Rio Ferdinand. He set a Prem by being sent off four times against the same opponents, Liverpool.