Sometimes to become the best player in the world you need to play out of position

Players are always wondering how they can impress the coach / manager, wondering how they are going to cement a spot in the team.

Well - sometimes a player can find opportunity through injury in the team.

Usually this simply means waiting until the player playing in your position goes down.

But this morning at one of the best clubs in the world all sorts of players - in the team and in the reserves - are going to be given a chance to play due to eight (!) injuries to United defenders.

Here's the scoop from Soccernet.com:

"United ended yesterday's 4-0 Premier League win over West Ham with Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra at centre-back and Ryan Giggs at full-back after Gary Neville and Wes Brown added to an already-lengthy injury list.

Evra and young Belgian Ritchie De Laet are United's only two fit defenders, with reserve player Corry Evans -brother of centre-back Jonny - likely to be called into the squad for Tueday's Champions League clash with Wolfsburg.

Both Neville and Brazilian Fabio are suffering from groin problems, Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand have calf injuries, John O'Shea is out with thigh trouble, while Edwin van der Sar, Rafael and Brown are all missing too.

Young centre-back James Chester, winner of the club's Reserve Player of the Year Award last season, was included in United's Champions League squad, but is currently on-loan at Championship side Plymouth Argyle, while fellow defensive prospect Craig Cathcart is also on-loan, at Watford."

(Source > http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/story?storyId=709171&leagueTag=ENG.1&lang=EN&leagueTag=ENG.1&top)

One of my favourite stories is that of former Arsenal (currently at AC Milan) midfielder Mathieu Flamini having to play a large part of the season - including the Champions League final against Barcelona! - at left back. The next season he was starring the midfield and the following season he was given big money to play in Italy.

Flamini really took his chance to play with great determination - and no complaining.
There are no guarantees in football - but some United youngsters are about to get a unique opportunity to take their careers to a new level.