The United squad from that day have gone on to have varied careers, with several now working away from British shores and one hitting the headlines for child support payments.
Others went into more conventional post-football careers, including management, media and agent representation - while one went down a slightly different path and studied for a doctorate. Click through our photo gallery to see what happened to the Blades’ class of 2003...
13. Stuart McCall
Became Neil Warnock’s assistant at Bramall Lane after calling time on his glittering playing career and his career has gone full circle, returning to Bramall Lane as Paul Heckingbottom’s No.2 in 2021
14. Nick Montgomery
A midfielder who spent almost his entire professional career at United, he left for Central Coast Mariners in 2012 and built a new career as a manager whilst Down Under. After leading them to the A-League championship last summer he was appointed as Hibernian’s new boss in September 2023
15. Wayne Allison
A qualified coach and also the holder of a PhD in sports science and coaching, Allison is currently coaching director at the PGMOL, which oversees match referees and officials in this country. Formerly technical director at the LMA, Allison has also worked at the FA since calling time on his playing career
16. Paul Peschisolido
The Canadian striker often crops up in the press owing to his marriage to Baroness Karren Brady of Knightsbridge CBE. He had a spell in charge of Burton Albion after transitioning from playing, and has continued with some bits and pieces of coaching since