Chelsea’s Guard of Honour for United’s ‘B-Team’ in 2007 – Where Are They Now?

File it under Premier League theatre: May 2007, Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea’s big hitters formed a guard of honour for newly crowned champions Manchester United. John Terry, Claude Makelele and Michael Essien led the applause, but Sir Alex Ferguson had his eyes on the looming FA Cup final against the same opponents and rolled the dice. Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes sat tight, Cristiano Ronaldo had the night off, and a raft of fringe faces took centre stage. The photos keep doing the rounds; here’s what happened to that curious cast.

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Tomasz Kuszczak

Appearances for Man United: 61. A steady deputy who lived in the long shadow of Edwin van der Sar. Kuszczak left permanently for Brighton in 2012, later turning out for Wolves and Birmingham before hanging up the gloves. Post‑football, he headed home to Poland, launched a construction company, picked up a sports journalism degree, and briefly joined Poland’s national-team staff as goalkeeping coach in 2023 before departing the setup in March 2024. A solid citizen who did his bit without ever quite nailing down the No 1 shirt.

Kieran Lee

Appearances for Man United: 3. The guard of honour came in a rare outing for the full-back, who made only a handful of senior appearances before moving to Oldham in 2008. He truly blossomed at Sheffield Wednesday, clocking 217 games and 22 goals from midfield, then added 91 more with Bolton Wanderers before calling time. A tidy pro who squeezed every drop from his career.

Wes Brown

Appearances for Man United: 362. A homegrown defender with a medal collection to prove it, Brown started in the 2008 Champions League triumph and left Old Trafford for Sunderland in 2011. He finished up with Kerala Blasters in India in 2018 and has since dabbled in coaching and media. He even fronted the club’s in-house interview when Cristiano Ronaldo made his shock 2021 return. Declared bankrupt in 2023, he’s fought back admirably. A warrior, pure and simple.

John O’Shea

Appearances for Man United: 394. The Swiss Army knife of Ferguson’s era. O’Shea joined Sunderland alongside Brown in 2011, wound down at Reading, then went straight into coaching. He worked with the Republic of Ireland’s Under‑21s from 2020 to 2023 and took a stint as Ireland’s interim boss in 2024 before moving into punditry more regularly. Never flashy, always dependable.

Gabriel Heinze

Appearances for Man United: 83. A ferocious competitor whose United exit was as spiky as his tackling. After Old Trafford came Real Madrid, Marseille, Roma and Newell’s Old Boys. On the touchline he’s managed Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, Vélez Sarsfield and Atlanta United, and most recently returned to Newell’s in 2023, steering a mid‑table league finish before parting ways following a Copa Sudamericana last‑16 exit to Corinthians. A relentless operator with standards set to max.

Chris Eagles

Appearances for Man United: 17. A winger with a box of tricks who couldn’t quite crack United’s first team. Rio Ferdinand once recalled that Roy Keane gave Eagles a sharp reminder about standards during a reserves run-out—old-school dressing-room code. Eagles kicked on at Burnley in 2008 and later featured for Bolton, Blackpool, Charlton, Bury, Accrington Stanley, Port Vale, Ross County and Oldham. He last played professionally in January 2020 and still speaks warmly of Ferguson’s firm-but-fair guidance.

Alan Smith

Appearances for Man United: 93. Converted from striker to midfield enforcer by Fergie, Smith’s trajectory was shattered by that gruesome leg break and dislocated ankle at Anfield in 2006. He soldiered on with Newcastle, MK Dons and Notts County, but even now admits the injury left lasting damage. These days he’s in Orlando, coaching youngsters at XL Soccer World Academy—and catching a few waves on the side. Tough as teak.

Darren Fletcher

Appearances for Man United: 342. Early doubts gave way to deep respect as Fletcher became a big-game metronome. He battled ulcerative colitis, returned against the odds, then saw out his playing days at West Brom and Stoke before retiring in 2019. Back at United, he’s worked on the coaching staff and in a technical role, and his twin sons are making noise in the academy. He even had a short caretaker spell with the first team in early 2026. A leader in any room.

Kieran Richardson

Appearances for Man United: 81. Quick, versatile and sometimes infuriating, Richardson moved to Sunderland in 2007, then later turned out for Fulham, Aston Villa and Cardiff. A man of strong faith, he’s reinvented himself post‑football in the luxury watch business. Never dull, always energetic.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Appearances for Man United: 366. The Baby‑faced Assassin became the boss in 2018, oversaw some memorable nights, and departed in 2021 when the wheels came off. As a player he delivered 126 United goals and a clutch of title runs; as a manager, he restored a measure of identity. He’s been biding his time and plotting the next dugout challenge. A club legend, regardless.

The verdict

That night at the Bridge was peak Ferguson: rest the stars, trust the squad, and accept the respect of champions with humility. A decade and more on, the careers of those who filed through Chelsea’s corridor tell a very United story—of depth, durability and standards. Not all became icons, but each had their moment. And on that strange, stirring evening in west London, they all wore the crown.