The new rules mean that clubs have to submit their final 25-man squad list at the end of each transfer window; the first list has to be in by September 1st, 2010. Changes can only be made during the transfer window.
The new rules also stipulate that no less than eight players' have to have been registered with the club for three years prior to their 21st birthday.
We have created a colour-coded overview of the existing United squad, which shows player registration dates and their dates of birth.
Having looked at the current year and beyond, it looks like United will have problems over the next few seasons in relation to the eight players under 21 criterion.
Having studied the overall picture, you have to wonder if the new rules have had any bearing on Ferguson's decision to persuade veteran stars like Scholes and Neville to play on for at least one more season. Giggsy is a slightly different case given he was the most consistent of the home grown trio last season and so he was always going to continue.
Fergie has to omit 16 names from the list below and there's a suggestion Owen Hargreaves and Anderson could be left out of United's initial 25-man list due to injury.
Name | Date signed | Date of birth |
| 1. Amos | 01/08/2008 | 10/04/1990 |
| 2. Anderson | 02/07/2007 | 13/04/1988 |
| 3. Berbatov | 01/09/2008 | 30/01/1981 |
| 4. Brown | 01/08/1996 | 13/10/1979 |
| 5. Carrick | 31/07/2006 | 28/07/1981 |
| 6. Cathcart | 01/08/2006 | 06/02/1989 |
| 7. Chester | 01/07/2008 | 23/01/1989 |
| 8. Cleverley | 01/08/2008 | 12/08/1989 |
| 9. de Laet | 08/01/2009 | 28/11/1988 |
| 10. Drinkwater | 01/07/2008 | 05/03/1990 |
| 11. Eikrem | 01/07/2009 | 08/08/1990 |
| 12. Evans. J | 01/07/2006 | 03/01/1987 |
| 13. Evans. C | 01/07/2008 | 30/07/1990 |
| 14. Evra | 10/01/2006 | 15/05/1981 |
| 15. Fabio da Silva | 01/07/2008 | 09/07/1990 |
| 16. Ferdinand | 22/07/2002 | 07/11/1978 |
| 17. Fletcher | 01/08/2000 | 01/02/1984 |
| 18. Gibson | 26/10/2005 | 25/10/1987 |
| 19. Giggs | 01/12/1990 | 29/11/1973 |
| 20. Gill | 01/07/2009 | 15/09/1990 |
| 21. Hargreaves | 01/07/2007 | 20/01/1981 |
| 22. Hernandez | 01/07/2010 | 01/06/1988 |
| 23. Ji Sung Park | 05/07/2005 | 25/02/1981 |
| 24. King | 01/07/2009 | 15/01/1992 |
| 25. Kuszczak | 02/07/2007 | 20/03/1982 |
| 26. Macheda | 01/09/2007 | 22/08/1991 |
| 27. Nani | 02/07/2007 | 17/11/1986 |
| 28. Neville | 29/01/1993 | 18/02/1975 |
| 29. O'Shea | 01/08/1999 | 30/04/1981 |
| 30. Obertan | 08/07/2009 | 26/02/1989 |
| 31. Owen | 03/07/2009 | 14/12/1979 |
| 32. Possebon | 01/07/2008 | 13/02/1989 |
| 33. Rafael da Silva | 01/07/2008 | 09/07/1990 |
| 34. Rooney | 31/08/2004 | 24/10/1985 |
| 35. Scholes | 29/01/1993 | 16/11/1974 |
| 36. Smalling | 01/07/2010 | 22/11/1989 |
| 37. Stewart | 01/07/2009 | 08/04/1991 |
| 38. Valencia | 30/06/2009 | 04/08/1985 |
| 39. Van der Sar | 01/06/2005 | 29/10/1970 |
| 40. Vidic | 04/01/2006 | 21/10/1981 |
| 41. Welbeck | 01/07/2007 | 26/11/1990 |
Key: Eight players' under age of 21 rule;
Names in Red or Orange will never qualify for the Under 21 rule.
Names in Green qualify.
Names in Blue will qualify - providing they stay with United.
