It's the imminent reality that no Manchester United fan wants to contemplate: the end of an era of unparalleled sporting success and, for the first time in over a quarter of a century, the start of a period of managerial transition. Irrespective of the levels of acceptance among his subjects, Britain's most enduring, successful and greatest football manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is unlikely to remain in the post beyond the next two or three seasons.
In a reactive, highly pressurised sport that frequently eschews (and is continually damaged by a reluctance to promote) values such as patience and loyalty, his unique tenure remains an exception to the rule. Premier League chairmen seem either unwilling or incapable of persevering with their own (often recent) choices. So, Manchester United will soon face the same fate as the other football clubs.
Despite this, there is cause for optimism. Ferguson will leave behind a legacy: the very best training facilities, a prolific, truly global scouting network and, most importantly, he will leave behind his last great side.
So, based on recent (and expected) signings and the best of the current youth set up, what will be the makeup of that side?

Goalkeeper: David De Gea
David De Gea Quintana made his Atletico Madrid debut aged just 18. By the end of his first full season, he had established himself as the club's first choice keeper and had shone in the club's eight match run towards Europa League triumph. De Gea has a poise and assurance that belies his tender years and, though still raw in some areas, he is agile and distributes well. Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas has recently described De Gea as "...a great keeper...the future...", while Sir Alex Ferguson's search for a replacement for the brilliant Edwin Van Der Sar has ended, fittingly, with the grounded prodigy dubbed "Van De Gea" by his Spanish teammates.
Despite being only 20 years old, Rafael da Silva has experienced Champions League quarterfinals, fiercely-contested local derbies and domestic cup games. Initially, his defensive naivety undermined his undoubted attacking talent, although he is now developing into the archetypal modern full back. Strong, determined, quick and talented, Rafael has shown flashes of his undoubted potential against the likes of Robinho and Franck Ribery, suggesting he has a bright future in the game.

Left Back: Fabio da Silva
Rafael's identical twin, in terms of both looks and playing style, only the continued excellence of the ever-present Patrice Evra has stopped Fabio from becoming a regular Manchester United left back. When the brothers first arrived in England, Fabio was seen as being the marginally superior of the two, and towards the end of the 2010/11 season, he found himself used more regularly—on the right side of the back four. If he can curb his attacking instincts and eradicate the odd lapses in concentration, he could become a staple of the United team for years to come. 

Centre Backs: Phil Jones and Chris Smalling
Manchester United have had a few outstanding partnerships in central defence, with Pallister/Bruce and, more recently, Ferdinand/Vidic providing the base on which the Reds' footballing artisans have expressed themselves. Judging by their natural understanding for the England U-21 team, it seems inevitable that Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will inherit, and enjoy, this responsibility in the very near future. Jones is strong, composed, powerful and has natural leadership qualities. Whereas most defenders mature in their mid 20s, he already has the aura of a veteran campaigner—at just 19 years of age.
Smalling is slightly older and has already experienced Champions League football. Initially seen as "one for the future," he found himself thrown into the United team during Rio Ferdinand's prolonged injury absence. He performed so well that some fans even questioned whether Ferdinand, a former England captain and British record signing, would recapture his place. Smalling is an elegant footballer who reads the game with an unerring accuracy and dominates in the air. The two young stars compliment each other perfectly and look capable of providing the "silk and steel" in United's' back four over next decade.
Left Wing: Ravel Morrison
A prodigiously gifted footballer, Ravel Morrison is often described as the most natural talent to emerge from the United youth set up since Paul Scholes. A fleet-footed, skillful, creative midfielder, Morrison is good with both feet and can play anywhere across the midfield or forward line. Worryingly his fledgling career has been blighted by numerous off-field controversies, which hopefully won't continue to detract from his abundant talent. Assuming he can shrug these issues aside, Morrison is the kind of impish, tricky winger United fans have idolised from George Best to Ryan Giggs, and there is a genuine belief that he could carve his own name among such greats of United folklore.

Right Wing: Nani
The enigmatic Portuguese winger has finally matured into a potent attacking force. During the 2010/11 season, he finally stepped out of the shadows of his countryman Cristiano Ronaldo, as he either assisted or scored in 28 of his 33 games. A pacey winger who can operate on either flank, Nani has survived early criticism from the terraces to become one of the most important components of the current United side. His infuriating wastefulness now seems to be a thing of the past, meaning the fans are free to enjoy the positive aspects of his game, specifically his close control, powerful shot and acceleration. Nani has belatedly fulfilled his potential to become one of the Premier League's genuine stars, and at 24, he still has plenty of room for improvement.

Central Midfield: Ryan Tunnicliffe and Paul Pogba
Although the mercurial Ravel Morrison got the plaudits for United's FA Youth Cup demolition of Sheffield United, the real winners were the two talents in the midfield engine room—Ryan Tunnicliffe and Paul Pogba.
Tunnicliffe is the kind of gritty, combative midfielder the club has lacked since the great Roy Keane, a genuine midfield enforcer who breaks up attacks and loves to throw himself into thunderous, perfectly-timed tackles. Tunnicliffe is the local boy, the captain and the heartbeat of the side.
Paul Pogba was signed from French side Le Havre in 2009 and was instantly (and somewhat lazily) dubbed "The New Patrick Vieira." True, Pogba does have the same leggy gait as the former Arsenal hero, but that is where the similarities end. Whereas Vieira was largely a midfield destroyer, Pogba is more of a creative midfielder with a penchant for the spectacular, good vision and impressive self-assurance. With Tunnicliffe breaking up attacks and Pogba revelling in the role of cultured playmaker, the future of United's midfield looks very promising.

Centre Forwards: Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez
The livewire double act seemed to develop an instant understanding between January and May. Whereas Rooney had spent the first half of the 2010/11 season mired in off-field controversy, acrimonious contract talks and poor form, his performances alongside Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez showcased the finer side of his game. As the clouds shifted, Rooney burst back into life, displaying the vision, skill, awareness and finishing that has made him one of the English game's modern greats. Rooney has been on the scene for so long that it is easy to overlook his relative youth; he is still only 25 and is yet to hit his peak.
With the selfless Hernandez proving to be the ultimate foil, the next four seasons are likely to be his glory years. "Chicharito" has risen from relative obscurity to first choice Manchester United striker in one year. A fast, intelligent striker who plays on the shoulder of the last defender, he also has the priceless ability to be in the right place at the right time, resulting in an uncanny awareness in the penalty box. "Chicharito" has been compared to previous dead-eyed assassins like Ole Soskjaer and a young Michael Owen—high praise for a developing talent. As their understanding improves, Rooney and Hernandez could form one of European football's deadliest alliances. One guaranteed to bring further glory to the Old Trafford outfit.