Belgium-born Ritchie De Laet signed for United in January 2009 after joining from Stoke City.
A centre-half by trade, he is also more than comfortable playing at left-back as he showed during an impressive first team debut for the Reds in the 1-0 win at Hull City on the final day of the 2008/09 season.
De Laet showed plenty of attacking intent down the left flank and also defended solidly, helping Sir Alex's men keep a deserved clean sheet.
Prior to his arrival at Old Trafford, the Belgian had spent 18 months with Stoke, but never actually made an appearance for the Potters. After joining in January 2007 for an initial £100,000 fee from Royal Antwerp, De Laet
spent a month on loan with Blue Square Premier side Wrexham in the autumn, but made just three appearances following a spate of injuries. When his time in Wales ended, he had a double hernia operation to treat a long-standing problem.
Before his surprise inclusion in United's first team for the trip to Hull, De Laet had made good progress with the Reserves and was part of the second string squad that won the Torneo Calcio Memorial Claudio Sassi-Sassuolo in April 2009.
De Laet featured in three of United's five games in Italy and converted a penalty in the semi-final shoot-out win over FC Modena. The Reds later beat Ajax 1-0 in the final to secure the trophy.
