SQUAD PROFILES 2005/06

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Neil Sullivan: Squad number 1



Brought in by Kevin Blackwell as United's first choice keeper in the summer of the 2004/05 season, Neil offers Leeds a wealth of experience.
The Scotland international arrived at Elland Road after a frustrating last year with Chelsea, where he would have been down the pecking order if he had stayed at Stamford Bridge.
The former Wimbledon, THFC and Scotland goalkeeper was called into the Chelsea first team action eight times but was perhaps a little rusty after a year on the White Hart Lane sidelines with previous club THFC.
His arrival at Elland Road is also expected to help the development of youngster Scott Carson. The pair work well together in training and knowledge is being passed down to the man who it is expected will eventually take over the number one shirt for Leeds.
Sullivan gave Leeds fans an early example of his expertise as a goalkeeper when he pulled off a brilliant penalty save in only his third game for the club against Wolves.



Ian Bennett: Squad number ?



With over 400 appearances to his name, Ian Bennett arrived at Elland Road in the summer of 2005 with bags of experience.
Kevin Blackwell brought him in on a free transfer after he rejected the opportunity to stay with Birmingham City, the club where he made his name in the game and became a legend. He was brought in specifically to put pressure on current United No.1 Neil Sullivan.
He started his career with Queens Park Rangers as a junior before being snapped up by Newcastle United. He failed to make an appearance for either club before finally making a breakthrough with Peterborough United after joining them in 1991.
After 89 appearances for 'Posh' he was taken by Barry Fry to Birmingham City for £325,000 in December 1993 and was the club's first choice keeper until November 1998, where he lost his place to Kevin Poole.
He then battled for control of the jersey with a succession of keepers in Thomas Mhyre, Nico Vaesen and finally Maik Taylor at St Andrews, but as second choice keeper he was still able to make his 350 league appearance for the Blues.
Has spent loan spells with Sheffield United and Coventry.



GARY KELLY: Squad number 2



Gary Kelly has made more appearances for Leeds United than any other member of the current squad.
Having overcome an ongoing shin splints problem which ruled him out for the whole of the 1998/99 campaign, Gary forced his way back into the Leeds first team,and silenced any critics by once again making the right back role his own, despite the signing of Danny Mills in the summer of 1999.
Started the 2000/2001 season as first choice but an injury around December and the superb form of Mills forced him to sit on the bench for the remainder of the campaign.
Gary has since been a valuable squad member and was rewarded fro his ten year stint at Elland Road with a big charity match against Glasgow Celtic at Elland Road in May 2002.
His generocity in donating all proceeds from the game to cancer charities was a testament to his sister Mandy, who died of the disease in 1998. In the summer of 2004 he opened a cancer centre in his home town of Drogheda with the proceeds.
Went on to play in his second World Cup for the Republic of Ireland in Japan and South Korea in June 2002 and he was also tipped as likely to leave Leeds but as yet he is still a part of the club's future plans.
It was in season 1993/94 that Gary, the youngest of a family of thirteen, burst on to the scene after Howard Wilkinson tried him out as a right back. Remarkably, by the end of his first season, he was a member of Jack Charlton's Republic of Ireland side that went to the U.S.A for the 1994 World Cup Finals.
For two seasons, the flying fullback was an ever present in the Leeds team, and established himself as an Eire regular under Big Jack.
Arguably there was too much football, at too young an age, for the lad who'd become a regular at only 18, and it was possibly only in the latter part of the 97/98 season, after a switch to right midfield that Kelly regained the zest that had marked him out as such a prospect five years before.
George Graham, recognising the new maturity and leadership the Irishman was displaying, and with David Hopkin out of the side, installed Kelly as skipper, at the age of 23.
Then came the nightmare season through injury, but Kells battled back superbly, fighting his way back into the first team, taking over as skipper when Lucas Radebe was on international duty and he was rewarded with a new five year contract, that should mean he sees out the rest of his career at Elland Road.
He now has a real chance of surpassing Jack Charlton's all-time record number of 773 appearances in the Leeds shirt.

LEGEND ;D

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Stephen Crainey: Squad number 3



Kevin Blackwell made Stephen his first cash signing after a summer in which the 10 players that preceded him had all been free transfers.
The full-back joined Leeds on what was initially a loan deal on Friday 6th August 2004, possibly the shortest loan spell ever, before his move from Southampton was made permanent for £200,000 the following Monday.
Possessing a good temperament combined with passing ability and a powerful shot make Crainey an excellent addition to the squad
With Celtic as a youngster, he had broken into the first-team in 2001-02 and went on to play 13 times for the Glasgow giants but his chances were restricted in the next year’s campaign when Celtic reached the UEFA Cup final due to strained knee ligaments.
Further frustration followed with boss Martin O’Neill preferring three centre backs while Crainey’s talents are more suited to the role of an orthodox left back in a back four.
As a Scottish international who has also picked up five caps for the under 21 side the thought of sitting on the bench did not appeal. An ill fated move to Southampton followed in the Christmas transfer window.
Signed by ex-United star Gordon Strachan, Stephen saw his chances of holding down a first team place evaporate when Strachan promptly decided to quit his post at St Mary's and another Scot, Paul Sturrock was brought in.
Towards the end of last season he picked up a groin strain that was deemed sufficiently serious to require surgery at the start of the summer, but that went well and he arrived at Elland Road fully fit.
He made his full debut in the 0-0 draw with Wolves at Molineux on August 14th 2004.
He suffered a recurrance of a groin injury and underwent an operation which put him out of action for the rest of the 2004/05 season.
Now fully fit again, he is hoping to remain injury free and establish a place in the first team despite increased competition for places in his second season at Elland Road.



Clarke Carlisle: Squad number 4



Signed on a free transfer after rejecting a new contract with Queens Park Rangers, Clarke is tipped to be one of Kevin Blackwell's most important signings at Elland Road.
A tall centre-half with a good footballing brain, he moved from Blackpool in May 2000 to Loftus Road for £250,000 and had an outstanding first season at the heart of the Rangers defence.
His performances earned him an England under-21 call-up but it was to prove his one and only cap at that level after a horrific cruciate ligament injury in a London derby with Fulham kept him out of the game for nearly ten months.
On his return from injury he fought his way back into contention and last season helped QPR to promotion, depite having successfully battled alcohol addiction.
The move to Elland Road helped him move closer to his family and represented what he believes was too fantastic an opportunity to let slip.
Little known facts: Clarke is a big fan of Terry Pratchet books and was once named Britain's brainiest footballer.



Paul Butler: Squad number 6 (Capt)



One of Kevin Blackwell's first signings as Leeds boss, Paul brings with him to Elland Road vital experience in the art of promotion.
Twice, automatically with Sunderland and through the play-offs with Wolverhampton Wanderers, he's helped to lift his club into the Premiership and United fans will hope he can complete a unique hat-trick with them.
Blackwell admitted signing Butler was an unexpected bonus as the Manchester-born defender had been expected to stay at Wolves, but they were unable to offer him more than a year's extension to his contract and Leeds made their move with a two year deal on offer.
Solid and dependable, Wolves fans were loathe to lose the once capped Irish international after seeing him play the best football of his career at Molineux, and Leeds supporters discovered he was dependable at all times during his first season at the club.
Butler was made club captain by Kevin Blackwell and it was a role he lived up to well, taking control of situations on and off the pitch and helping to mold together a tight-knit squad.

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Frazer Richardson: Squad number 15




Frazer is being groomed as a future United right-back as he continues to learn his trade as understudy to Gary Kelly, but he has found himself playing right midfield this season.
Born in Rotherham, Richardson is a lifelong Leeds fan who has emerged through the Academy ranks to become an established youth international.
Recently involved in a number of Leeds first-team games, Frazer also represented England at under-20 level and is now winning rave reviews from members of the backroom staff at Thorp Arch.
He was rewarded for his progress with a four-year contract which he signed in the summer of 2002.
Frazer was disappointed not to make his debut in the 2002/03 season, but did so last season when he came on as a substitute against Southampton at Elland Road in August.
Last season he spent one month on loan with Stoke City, but will be hoping to wrestle control of the right-back position from Gary Kelly and make it his own.



Matthew Kilgallon : Squad number 26




Promising young central defender who has emerged through the Leeds Academy to play regularly for the reserves and is now pushing hard for a first team squad place.
Born in York and educated at Tadcaster Grammar School, Matthew is widely tipped to become a regular in the United side in future.
He made his United debut in the Uefa Cup against Hapoel Tel Aviv, November 2002, coming on for the injured Lucas Radebe and playing his part in a remarkable 4-1 win away from home. His Premiership debut also came as a substitute against West Ham at Elland Road in February 2003.
He joined the Hammers for a three month loan spell at the start of the 2003/4 season, impressing despite a turbulent time for the Upton Park club.
He also went on to play for England under-20's in their ill-fated World Youth Championships campaign in the UAE. He later went on to make his England under-21 debut and is still a key member of that squad.
His signed a two year contract extension in the summer of 2004 and despite the arrival of more competition last season in the form of Paul Butler and Clarke Carlisle, still established himself in Kevin Blackwell's side and proved his adaptability by playing at left-back when needed.



Steve Stone: Squad number ?




Billed as the answer to United's lack of width on the right, Steve Stone arrived at Elland Road in June 2005 after being released by Portsmouth.
The winger announced that his aim for the season is to help Leeds regain their top flight status and manager Kevin Blackwell brought him in to provide the bullets for the strikers.
Leeds faced intense competition for Steve's services, including rivals Southampton who are managed by his former boss at Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp. His signing was hailed as a major coup.
Steve began his career as a trainee with Nottingham Forest and became a legend at the City Ground, spending nearly ten years there but eventually left in a big money move to Aston Villa in March 1999 when Forest appeared doomed and relegation soon followed.
He had become an England international at Forest - given his debut by former United boss Terry Venables in 1996 - and can count himself unlucky he did not add to his nine caps.
He suffered three broken legs in his early Forest days before blossoming into one of the best players of the early 90s.
At Villa things went well until a change of manager heralded a return for Graham Taylor and he found himself out of his plans with Taylor opting for a more defensive look. He was placed on the transfer list and in October 2002 joined Portsmouth on an initial one month loan.
He immediately won the Pompey fans over and his move was made permanent two months later. He helped Portsmouth to promotion and to survive in the Premiership for the following two seasons. It was only until Harry Redknapp departed and Alain Perrin arrived at Fratton Park that his future appeared in doubt.
He was told he could leave on a free transfer and Leeds made their move.
It is now hoped he can bring much needed width and experience to help push Leeds in their quest for promotion.

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Jermaine Wright: Squad number 7




One of eight players to sign for United on July 1st 2004, becoming one of Kevin Blackwell's 'revolutionaries'.
His capture was met with surprise by a few, surprised that he chose to move to Elland Road with the club having been relegated the previous season over Everton, Wayne Rooney and all. There was no wonder Blackwell was so delighted.
He began his career with Millwall as a trainee, but his early career was unspectacular as a move to Wolves failed to see him spark. It was only after moving on to Crewe that his football took off under Dario Gradi, a master in reviving careers.
Whilst there the former England youth international switched from the right wing to a creative role in the centre of midfield and it was playing in that position that attracted the then Ipswich boss George Burley to him, having just sold Kieron Dyer to Newcastle.
Left Ipswich for Leeds after falling out of contract this summer.




Sean Gregan: Squad number 8




The former West Bromwich Albion captain arrived at Elland Road after weeks of transfer negotiations for a fee of £500,000 that could rise to £1m based on appearances and promotion bonuses.
The midfielder arrived in Leeds with over 450 games under his belt and represented the type of experience Kevin Blackwell was desperately trying to add to his squad.
He also brings real leadership qualities and during his time at the Hawthorns and previous clubs Preston and Darlington, an uncompromising, tough tackler.
Gregan began life as a defender with Darlington and helped guide them to the old Fourth Division championship before David Moyes signed him for Second Division Preston North End in a £350,000 move in November 1996.
It was whilst at Preston that he was turned into a midfielder, and made captain. He was voted Preston North End Player of the Year in 1999/00 - the same year he helped the Lilleywhites win the Second Division championship.
He joined West Brom in August 2002 for £1.5m and quickly became a crowd favourite there too, taking on the captaincy and guiding them back to the Premiership at the first time of asking last season.
But he fell out of favour with Baggies boss Gary Megson and that allowed Kevin Blackwell to make his move. At Elland Road Sean has established himself as a key player, mainly in a defensive job just infront of the back four and providing plenty of protection for them.
One of Sean's claims to fame is that he once scored from the half-way line, playing against Norwich in March 2001.




Danny Pugh: Squad number 12




Danny became Kevin Blackwell's first signing as Leeds United manager when he arrived at Elland Road as part of the deal that saw Alan Smith move to Old Trafford.
A left-sided utility player, Manchester-born Danny has stated his willingness to play wherever he is needed, all he's after is games.
Seven appearances with Manchester United, three of them in the Champions League, has not been enough for Pugh, who is desperate to knuckle down and try to become a first team regular at Elland Road.
Pugh, one of only a handful of players to make the move from Man Utd to Leeds, enjoyed a good start to his career at Leeds, scoring six goals from a wide left position in no time at all.
He struggled to make the starting XI in the latter half of the season but definitely still has a big future at the club.

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Gylfi Einarsson: Squad number 16




Icelandic international Gylfi arrived at Elland Road in November 2004 - but wasn't actually allowed to play until January 2005!
The midfielder joined the club after impressing during a short trial period, and did so on a Bosman free transfer after falling out of contract with Norwegian side Lillestrom, but FIFA regulations meant he could not actually sign for the club until the transfer window reopened on January 1st 2005. Leeds were unsuccessful in their attempts to get early clearance for him but he was able to make his debut as a substitute against Crewe Alexandra on New Year's Day.
He arrived at Leeds after scoring 16 goals for Lillestom in his last season in Norway, and as a seven times capped international. He scored one of his country's two goals in their win over Italy.
A quiet start to life in English football, Gylfi is looking forward to his first full season at the club.




Matthew Spring: Squad number 17




One of many summer signings that arrived at the start of the 2004/05 season on a free transfer, Matthew is a key addition to the Leeds United family.
Manager Kevin Blackwell spotted Spring playing for his hometown, Luton, and pipped Nottingham Forest to the signing of the midfielder.
Leeds is Sping's first move since joining the Hatters as a schoolboy, made his debut at 17, and went on to clock up over 250 league appearances with the Kenilworth Road club.
The last four seasons have seen him average over six goals a season from midfield, and he is well known for the odd spectacular strike from distance.
Blackwell will look for Spring to continue in his role as play-maker.



Simon Walton: Squad number 18




Few professionals will remember their debut quite as much as Simon probably will in the years to come. Aged just 16, he started for Leeds in their pre-season game with Valencia at Elland Road and scored from the penalty spot but within minutes was sent off for his second bookable offence!
It was in that game though that most Leeds fans saw a potential star of the future for the first time. A few weeks later they saw him make his league debut as he started the 2004/05 season in midfield. A month later he signed his first professional contract at the club, tying him to Leeds until the end of the 2006/07 season at least.
Although he began life in the Academy as a centre-half, his conversion to midfield has been a success and at a time when Kevin Blackwell's midfield was lacking in both options and quality, his emergence was a godsend.
Tough tackling, fearing nobody, Simon looks set to be a fixture in Leeds United's teams for years to come.

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Eirik Bakke: Squad number 19




Despite being earmarked as a player for the future, Eirik announced his arrival in the Premiership with an impressive home debut against Newcastle in September 1999 and went on to play a key role in United's season both at home and in Europe.
An elegant midfielder with an eye for goal, especially in the air as his double against Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-final proved, he deservedly picked up the LUFC Young Player of the Year award for the season.
The Norwegian's second season at Elland Road proved to be a stop start affair as he struggled top overcome injuries that dogged him throughout the campaign.
Nevertheless Eirik played a vital part in United's Champions League success and as the season ended, showed he was recapturing his best form.
His third campaign, also a disappointment by his own admission, ended with the reward of a new five-year contract which shows how highly he is rated at Elland Road.
Eirik became David O'Leary's second signing when he joined Leeds on a five year contract from Norwegian second division side Sogndal for £1.75million in May 1999.
Bakke impressed the former United manager in a short trial at the end of the 1998/99 season and in his second appearance for Norway in their 6-0 romp over Jamaica two weeks later and was quickly snapped up to become the first close season arrival.
Injuries in the Leeds camp and Eirik's form in training forced former boss David O'Leary to pick him and people really sat up and noticed as he made startling progress, proving that Leeds had just made one of their shrewdest signings in their history.
Tipped to become one of Norway's top stars of the future, the tall midfielder, captained the Norway U-21 side, before forcing his way into the full squad ahead of Norway's Euro 2000 campaign, and is now first choice for the national side.
Sadly Eirik's last 12 months at Elland Road have been disrupted by a series of serious knee injuries, undergoing two operations due to a patella tendonitis problem. He returned to action in pre-season but the situation worsened when he broke down after tearing his cruciate ligament in a friendly game against Pitea in Sweden.
He returned at the start of the new year but suffered a set-back when he was forced to undergo another knee operation. His recovery is going well and he just needs to build on his match fitness before he can expect to find his best form again.




Seth Johnson: Squad number 20




The £7million capture of Seth Johnson from Derby County in October 2001 took manager David O'Leary's spending past the £80million mark, but again re-affirmed Leeds' intentions to build a young vibrant predominately British squad.
Seth is a full England international and is widely renowned as one of the most promising talents in British football.
Naturally a left footed player, he can play in a number of positions in midfield as well as a left sided defender, making him a valuable asset.
Born in Birmingham, Seth started his career at Crewe under Dario Gradi where he sprung to the attention of Jim Smith who smashed the Rams' transfer record when he paid £3m to take him from Gresty Road in May 1999.
The 20-year-old rejected Derby's advances to move to Pride Park on transfer deadline day two months previously in a bid to help Crewe stave off relegation - a move which paid off as the club maintained its Division One status.
Smith made another move in the summer to sign the England Under-21 international — beating Liverpool in the race for his signature.
Johnson won rave reviews and his former boss Dario Gradi predicted that he would eventually develop into an international class left wing-back.
His combative style led him to become one of the most booked players in the Premiership in 2000-01, but he was regularly rewarded with England U-21 caps and he made his full England debut as a substitute in a 1-0 friendly defeat against Italy in November 2001, almost scoring with his first touch.
Former Derby boss Jim Smith revealed that Rangers made a bid for Johnson in the summer of 2001, but instead the midfielder signed a new three-year contract in July.
But when Colin Todd replaced Smith in October 2001 it became clear he would have to sell his prize asset in order to strengthen his struggling squad, and Derby agreed a £7million fee for the midfielder with Leeds, which could rise to £9million depending on appearances.
His first season at Elland Road didn't go to plan as he was hindered by a series of injury setbacks.
The 2002/03 season under ex- boss Terry Venables started in a similar vein, a knee injury once again cutting short the number of appearances he made.
He was able to provide former manager Peter Reid with more midfield options at times but was still troubled by niggling injuries and then in April, disaster struck.
Seth ruptured his cruciate ligament and suffered further knee damage that required surgery, and is not expected to play again until the new calendar year. The injury was on the opposite knee to the one that saw him miss most of the previous season but it came at a bad time as Leeds fought for Premiership survival.
He returned to action in January 2005 and played a handful of games until a clause in the deal that took him to Leeds saw him become a frustrated onlooker again. One more appearance triggers a further £250,000 payment to Derby County and then again in another 15 games after that. Leeds are not prepared to pay that on a player who has yet to prove his fitness.



Shaun Derry: Squad number 21




Nottingham born Shaun began his career as a trainee at Notts County, moved on to Sheffield United in 1998 for £700,000 and was snapped up by Portsmouth in 2000 for £300,000 before a £400,000 switch to Selhurst Park in 2002.
Derry made 44 appearances in his last season for Crystal Palace, including in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium which Palace won to seal their promotion to the Premiership.
Despite being a major part of Palace's remarkable run which ended in that play-off victory, he was to find his first team chances in the Premiership limited and that alerted Kevin Blackwell to him.
Although it had been thought he had been captured before Christmas 2004, that deal fell through and it wasn't until February 2005 that Derry eventually turned out in a white shirt for Leeds.
He made a dream home debut, scoring the winner against West Ham in an enthralling 2-1 victory for Leeds at Elland Road. Missed the final three games of the 2004/05 season after being sent off against QPR at Loftus Road.

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Paul Keegan: Squad number 37




Capped by the Republic of Ireland all the way up to under-20 level, Paul is one of a few young players at Elland Road that are making a name for themselves in the reserves.
A product of Home Farm club in Ireland, Keegan was spotted by Leeds' former coach Brian Kidd and made the move to the Academy.
The midfielder has attracted admirers with his passing game, able to split open the defence for the forwards and also play a holding role when it is needed.
Has yet to make his competitive first team debut but impressed in pre-season. Paul is a reserve team regular.




David Healy: Squad number 9




David arrived at Elland Road after weeks of speculation and wrangling with Preston North End for his signature.
The Ulsterman was out of contract at the end of the season with Preston, and having turned down a new deal with the Lilywhites, meant Kevin Blackwell was able to pay considerably less than he might have expected to for an international player with proven goalscoring abilities.
Healy began his career as a trainee at Old Trafford but only made three substitutes appearances for them. After impressing former Preston boss David Moyes whilst on loan, he made a permanent move to Deepdale in a deal worth £1.5m in January 2001.
In just over three seasons with Preston he scored 44 goals in 120 starts for the Lilywhites and at international level is currently Northern Ireland's all time leading goalscorer with 15 goals from 39 appearances.
Ironically his first goals for the club, a double strike, came against former club Preston on his first return to Deepdale, helping Leeds to a 4-2 win.
His first season at Elland Road was characterised by scoring some spectacular goals and he finished top scorer with seven, but that is a figure he will be looking to more than double in 2005/06.




Michael Ricketts: Squad number 10




Signed on a free transfer from Middlesbrough, Michael is the man United boss Kevin Blackwell has turned to for goals.
The striker is more than capable of getting plenty of them in the Coca Cola Championship after proving himself with Walsall and Bolton Wanderers.
He began his career with the Saddlers and had barely had enough time to establish himself at the club when Sam Allardyce took a £400,000 gamble on him to take him to the Reebok Stadium. It was a gamble that paid off massively for the Trotters boss.
His first season saw him find the net 24 times and that was despite being mainly used as a substitute in the Trotters promotion season.
He defied the critics who doubted he would prove a success in the top flight by scoring 15 goals in the first half of the season, although he was to later lose form and fall out publicly with Allardyce.
That was the beginning of the end for Ricketts at Bolton and in January 2003 he moved to Middlesbrough for £3.5m. He left Bolton with an impressive record that shows 37 goals in 63 league starts.
His move to the Riverside though did not work out as well. He got just the one goal that season for Boro after a poor start and that worked against him the following season as he was reduced to the role of substitute.
Having started just 12 games for Middlesbrough, Leeds offered him an escape route as Mark Viduka prepared to move the other way.
Michael will be out to prove himself all over again, and after his success in the early part of his career, believes he can do it all again in the Championship.

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Ian Moore: Squad number ?




Ian Moore signed for Leeds in March 2005, just ahead of the transfer deadline for a nominal fee.
United could have waited until the end of the season for him to become a free agent but both Chairman Ken Bates and Manager Kevin Blackwell agreed it would be prudent to snap him up when they could rather than risk losing him to another club in the summer.
The son of former Liverpool and Tranmere striker Ronnie, formerly Rotherham United manager and currently overseeing Oldham's progress, Ian began his career at Prenton Park before moving on to Nottingham Forest for £1m in March 1997.
It was to prove an ill-fated move for the striker, making just three league starts in 18 months at the City ground and a move to Stockport County followed. A goal every four games for Stockport saw him snapped up for £1m again by Burnley in November 2000.
In his five years at Turf Moor he made over 200 appearances and scored 50 goals in all competitions.
Ian is a very useful addition to the squad at Elland Road, able to play as a winger too if need be.




Rob Hulse: Squad number 29




Rob Hulse signed a permanent deal with Leeds the day after the 2004/5 season finished after a hugely successful loan spell.
Hulse began his career at his home town club of Crewe Alexandra and became a huge crowd favourite after scoring 45 times in just 97 starts for The Railway Men.
Before the 2003/4 season started he moved on to West Bromich Albion where he played a key role in the Baggies promotion campaign scoring ten times in 29 appearances.
But his time at the Hawthorns turned sour when he was only selected six times in the opening few months of the 2004/5 season and that was when Kevin Blackwell stepped in and decided to use him as one of his valuable loan signings.
Hulse became an instant hero when he bagged a brace on his debut against Reading and provided a much needed spark to Leeds's season.
Hulse is the modern day all round striker. He can score with his left or right foot, with his head, tap-in's or long range efforts.
His loan spell saw him score six times in thirteen appearances and United fans will be looking to see him form an effective partnership with David Healy.