Sir Alex Ferguson’s current first team squad is a mix of players from all over the world, and far removed from teams in previous decades that comprised solely British footballers. The search for the next promising youngster or world beater has the United scouting team watching potential signings in every continent, and although English talent is preferred, nationality comes second to quality in a prospective new addition to the Premier League champions ranks.

Here are a few of the current crop that have travelled half the world away (and paid considerable travel money to spend by their club) to become important members of the Manchester United regime.

Javier Hernandez

Chicharito has become an integral part of the Reds’ plan after only a year in England, with the striker exceeding all expectations after a £7 million transfer to Old Trafford last summer. The 23-year-old is fresh from Gold Cup glory in America, finishing the tournament with Mexico as the competition’s top scorer, finding the net seven times.

The Mexican signed for Fergie’s men from Chivas of Guadalajara, who nurtured his talents through the youth ranks allowing him to become a professional footballer. Four seasons in the first team of the 11-times Mexican champions has served the forward well, and laid the foundations for him to be a superstar.

Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco and has approximately 1.5 million inhabitants. It is a huge city with an emphasis on industry and trade, and has countless foreign investors. As a holiday destination it is steeped in culture and has a vibrant music and film scene, but as with anywhere in Central America be sure to get travel insurance from the Post Office before travelling.

Antonio Valencia

The Ecuadorian winger has made monumental strides since being born in Nueva Loja, a town of some 25,000 people in the north-east of the country. The 25-year-old moved to Europe in 2005 after two seasons with El Nacional and was snapped up by Spanish side Villarreal. After successful loan spells at Recreativo and Wigan, he moved to the English club before joining United in June 2009.

Valencia grew up in the Amazon rainforest, and was spotted at the age of 11 playing football barefoot in a field close to his home; the flying winger never looked back.

Park Ji Sung

The South Korean midfielder is the most successful Asian footballer of his generation and his consistency and energy have made him a mainstay of the United squad since joining in 2005. When he was bought cynics claimed it was to tap into the growing Asian market and motivated by a need to generate revenues, but Park has proved his abilities time and time again. The 30-year-old previously enjoyed a three year spell at PSV Eindhoven, joining from Kyoto Purple Sanga in 2002.

Park was born in the Jeollanam province in the south-west of South Korea, but grew up in Suwon, 20 miles from national capital Seoul. He represented Myongji University, and impressed the Olympics team coach enough to make his national debut in 2000.

Suwon is the educational centre of the country, with 14 university campuses and a large economic and production hub for South East Asia.

From Guadalajara, the Amazon rainforest and a university in Suwon to the biggest club team in the world, the trio will continue to play an important role for United in 2011/12.

Gareth McKnight writes for Soccerlens.com.