RAY WOOD, Goalkeeper When injuries left Manchester United desperate for a goalkeeper, they signed Wood from Darlington in a midnight deal for£5,000. That was in December, 1949. He played next day against his boyhood team, Newcastle, but had to wait until 1953-54 for a regular place.  Born at Hebbum-on-Tyne, Wood spent two years as an amateur with Newcastle, then unsuccessfully offered his services to Gateshead, Sunderland and Fulham before Darlington signed him. Now established at the top of his profession, with three England caps. Age 25.

BILL FOULKES, Right Back   Was working at the pit-face near his native St. Helens when United signed him, and used to devote his holidays from the mine to full-time soccer training at Old Trafford. Is now near the end of National Service in the Army. Strongly built and firm in the tackle, he won his first and so far, only, England cap against Ireland in 1954, two seasons after his introduction to League football.  Age 25.

ROGER BYRNE, Left Back (Capt.) Many in the United camp may have thought it, but only Skipper Byrne dared to say at the start of the season " We aim to keep the League Championship and to win the F.A. Cup and European Cup." Byme will always remember the year he joined the Club—it was 1948, last time United won the Cup. He was a left-winger then.  Has been ever-present in the England side (27 caps) since his debut against Scotland at Hampden Park three years ago. Age 27.

EDDIE COLMAN, Right Half Looked so frail when he introduced himself at Old Trafford that he was nearly turned away, but Assistant-Manager Jimmy Murphy decided " this boy may have something to makeup for his size." Now the wiry 5 ft. 6 ins. Colman has nearly everything in his football make-up—fine ball control, accurate distribution, craft, graft and a baffling body-swerve.  Came into the side 18 months ago.  When this Salford boy finishes Army service shortly, his unit will have to appoint a new rat-catcher, for that has been one of his duties in khaki.  Age 20.

JACKIE BLANCHFLOWER, Centre Half Younger brother of the celebrated Spur, Danny Bianchflower, Jackie is well established in the Ireland team but he found a regular place in United's " treble " team only after injury to Mark Jones in the Bournemouth Cup-tie.  Is more constructive than most modern centre halves—his mother did a thorough job when she gave him his first football lessons as a three-year-old.  Has also played some splendid games at wing-half and inside-forward.  Eight appearances for Ireland. Fine golfer. Age 24.

DUNCAN EDWARDS, Left Half At 18, two years ago, he became England's youngest international : at 19 he won a championship medal : now his declared ambition—" to win a medal at Wembley before l'm21 "—is almost realised. Not 21 until 1st October, he already has 12 England caps. After captaining England Schools five years ago, he won F.A. Youth Cup medals with United in 1953-54-55. Wolves must still be wondering how this young " Mr. Powerhouse " from Dudley, Staffs., eluded their exhaustive junior scouting scheme.

JOHNNY BERRY, Outside Right As a Birmingham player Berry always did so well against United that Manager Busby decided the only remedy was to sign him . . . and did, for £25,000 in August, 1951.  Is one of the most consistent wingers in the business, fast and clever with a match-winning shot quite out of proportion to his size.  Born at Aldershot, this one-time cinema projectionist has played four times for England. At 30 he is easily the " Daddy " of the team.

BILLY WHELAN, Inside Right Dublin's Home Farm Club produced Johnny Carey, who captained United victoriously at Wembley in 1948, and now they are represented by Whelan, one of the season's goal-scoring discoveries.  Is linked with Taylor and Viollet in the most devastating inside forward trio in the First Division.  Eire International. Whelan has height, a deceptive swerve and appreciation of the merest goal chance. Made debut in March, 1955, but this is his first full season. Age 21.

TOMMY TAYLOR, Centre Forward Had the available reserves been of any less calibre, United's attempt at the " treble " must have tottered in February when Taylor cracked a bone in the leg, for whether heading or shooting for goal he puts class behind every effort.  Is the most expensive player in the side—signed from Barnsley in March, 1953, for £29,999.  Matt Busby flatly refused to pay £30,000 !  United have had no need to explore the transfer market as buyers in four years since then.  Barnsley-born Taylor has made 13 international appearances. Age 24.

DENNIS VIOLLET, Inside Left Signed as a Manchester and England Schoolboy star, he emerged from United's junior fold as the successor to Stan Pearson, who himself gave Viollet a lot of help. Is the thrustful, upfield type of inside-forward ever-watchful for his wingers' goal-producing centres or the inviting through-ball from wing-half.  Played for the Football League this season.  Age 23.

DAVID PEGG, Outside Left Birmingham offered him a ground staff job soon after he left school at Doncaster in 1951. But Manager Busby had already arranged into which hole this particular Pegg was to fit. An England Schoolboy winger, Pegg established a first team place last season and has played for England's Under-23 side this year. A speedy ball-player, with useful shot.  Age 21.

MARK JONES, Centre Half This youngster, patiently groomed to succeed Allenby Chilton, was the only player ever-present in last season's team of champions, but his part in this year's bid for the " treble " was unfortunately halted by injury in the sixth round at Bournemouth.  Won England Schoolboy caps at left-back, left-half, right-half and centre-half, and went into the Matt Busby Academy straight from his school-days at Barnsley. Age 23.

BOBBY CHARLTON, Inside Left Scored twice on his League debut against Chariton Athletic in October, and in his first F.A. Cup-tie—the Semi-Final—killed Birmingham's Wembley chance with the second Manchester goal 60 seconds after the first by Berry.  What an entry into big football !  Chariton, now on Army Service, comes from a footballing family.  Brother John is the Leeds centre-half and Newcastle's Jack Milburn is an uncle.  Born Ashington, Northumberland.  Age 19.