Manchester U (£3,750,000 on 22/7/93) Premier League 116+5/17 Football League Cup 9+2 FA Cup 22+1/1 Others 19/4

An inspirational Manchester United midfielder with excellent skills and a hardened edge, Roy started last season as United's new captain, having got into the habit of picking up trophies on the club's summer tour of the Far East. A regular first teamer throughout August and September, he scored two important Premiership goals against Coventry and West Ham but, although he was on the top of his form, and relishing his role as skipper, his campaign came to an abrupt end when he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage following a challenge with the Leeds inside-forward, Alf-Inge Haaland, at Elland Road in September.

Despite openly admitting that the injury had provided him with the "biggest challenge of his life," he made such a good recovery from his operation that he was looking to make a first team return before the end of 1997-98. Although that was slightly ambitious, even by Roy's standards, he was hopeful of leading the club to further glories in 1998-99.

Was named the Republic of Ireland's Player of the Year in October.