Supporting cast ready for starring roles

"I was happy the team won, but it was heartbreaking," said Ji-Sung Park recalling last season's UEFA Champions League final. Manchester United FC's Korean midfielder did not even make the bench for the victory over Chelsea FC but he is unlikely to suffer the same fate against FC Barcelona 12 months on.

Squad strength
Park, with his industry and intelligent movement, has been one of the unsung heroes of a campaign where arguably the key component of United's success has been their squad strength. If last term it was Cristiano Ronaldo taking the plaudits, this term the bouquets have been distributed more freely. Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidić took national and club player of the year awards – the latter in recognition of the defensive base behind a third straight domestic crown – yet a number of less heralded figures have also stepped into the spotlight, including homegrown trio Jonny Evans, Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea.

Supporting cast
In O'Shea's case, filling in for the injured Gary Neville and Wes Brown means he has made more European appearances than every United player bar Wayne Rooney, and Sir Alex has promised him a starting role at the Stadio Olimpico. Like Park, O'Shea – an unused substitute in Moscow last May – scored in the semi-final defeat of Arsenal FC and the Irishman said: "I was always confident that once I got a run in the team I would be able to show why I could stay in and hopefully it will continue." Yet, as one of Old Trafford's long-serving supporting cast, he understands the need for a squad game.

Rotation
O'Shea said: "Look at the leading teams around Europe and how big their squads are – it is no longer about the same eleven or 12 players, it is 18, 22 players. These are the teams that are going to be successful. It has been a huge squad effort. We have had some big injuries at certain times and the time we kept the run of [14 Premier League] clean sheets in particular, the back four chopped and changed quite a bit." While United have played 65 games in five different competitions, in their domestic league they have shared the workload between more than 30 players – compared with 20 for Sir Alex's first title campaign in 1992/93. Only four outfield players have appeared more than 25 times and Park explained: "The manager has many good players and what he thinks is how to win each game. No one can play every game as over a full season it would be too hard to play 100 per cent. Rotation helps us not get tired."

Man-management
They may have fresh legs but how does Sir Alex keep so many players happy? O'Shea cited two reasons, starting with silverware. "It is difficult but being successful has been a key to keeping everybody happy. If you are not winning things, players are not going to be happy; but if you are winning, it makes it easier to be left out in certain stages." And second: "The man-management he uses to make you feel involved. He will come up and say, 'You are not playing tomorrow but you are going to play Wednesday week and I want you right for that game'."

'The star is the team'
According to Patrice Evra, Sir Alex's management of his players is second to none. "I play for France and when people don't play sometimes they are not happy and don't wish the other players well. At Manchester United when a legend like Ryan Giggs isn't playing he will be there saying, 'Come on lads, you have to win' and he means it from the heart. There is a difference and Ferguson makes sure the star is the team and not only one player." It does not spare players heartache when they miss out, of course, but, as Park can vouch, being part of this United squad at least offers the prospect of a second chance. "It was a motivation. I wanted United to reach another final to be there myself." He should get his wish on Wednesday.