08/09 Review: Kuszczak

There are few jobs in football as frustrating as being a goalkeeper's understudy.

Tomasz Kuszczak may have spent more time on the bench than on the pitch in 2008/09, but the Pole never grumbled and always looked enthusiastic when handed a chance to shine.

That said, 2008/09 was a difficult season for Tomasz. Sir Alex insists the Polish international remains part of his plans, but Kuszczak was largely a spectator as his colleagues collected silverware and finished the campaign having played just a handful of games.

Start to finish: Tomasz never really got started. He played half a game against Chelsea, enjoyed outings in Europe against Aalborg and Villarreal and got the nod on just a smattering of other occasions, often against sides that barely mustered a threat.

In position: The Pole benefitted from a United back four setting new standards in miserliness. Rio, Vida, Jonny… the faces changed slightly, but the threat to the United goal remained minimal.

Vital contribution: On as a first-half sub for van der Sar at Stamford Bridge in September, Tomasz kept his head as the Blues gathered a head of steam late on; there