THREE

"Van Nistelrooy is a great footballer on a superb run," he says, "but it would be shortsighted to pick him out as Manchester United's threat. It's like saying that Ronaldo's the danger here. Well, yes, but if he doesn't get a pass, then what? It's more about ensuring that the ball doesn't reach Van Nistelrooy. That means making interceptions and blocking the wingers, Beckham and Giggs."

Helguera thinks Ryan is the danger man: "But Giggs is unique," he protests: "no other left winger in the world is so direct, so quick, or scores so many important goals."

And of course the ubiquitous David Beckham.

"I see Beckham very, very much as a winger. If he played in the middle here he'd lose his greatest attribute, which is his crossing. And maybe even his long passing, because we play much shorter. Besides, I've spent two years in the centre of our midfield and the role is mainly a defensive one - we have two pivotes [anchormen], to make up for everyone else attacking. That would seem a pretty rubbish job to Beckham."

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