Manchester United very rarely slipped up against lower-league opposition during Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26-year tenure.

Ferguson would often deploy weakened teams when paired up against teams from the Championship and below, in order to give his first-team stars a rest, but a couple of big names would always be on the bench just in case.

There were a number of times when United were given a scare, including in January 2005 when they were held to a 0-0 draw by non-league Exeter City.

Ferguson’s side were FA Cup holders at the time, having beaten Millwall in the previous season’s final, and were expected to register a big win against the Grecians.

Just under 70,000 people turned up to Old Trafford and were left stunned as the Conference outfit set up a lucrative replay by holding their star-studded opponents to a 0-0 draw.

But what became of the Man Utd players who featured that evening?

Let’s take a closer look…

Tim Howard

The American goalkeeper was unable to truly convince at Man Utd and found himself surplus to requirements at Old Trafford when Edwin van der Sar arrived in the summer of 2005.

However, he went on to enjoy a fine career, spending nine happy years with Everton before joining Colorado Rapids in 2016.

The former USA international, who represented his country 121 times, is still going at the ripe old age of 39.

Phil Neville

Like Tim Howard, Phil Neville also moved on to Everton shortly after this FA Cup tie.

The versatile defender hung up his boots in 2013 and then worked as a coach at Man Utd alongside David Moyes.

Following a spell at Valencia, Neville now finds himself in charge of the England Women’s team.

Wes Brown

Local lad Wes Brown stayed with United until 2011, when he moved on to Sunderland.

He then joined Blackburn after five years at the Stadium of Light and most recently played for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.

Now 38, Brown hasn’t officially retired but it’s surely only a matter of time before he does.

Gerard Pique

Yes, *that* Gerard Pique.

After everything that he’s achieved with Barcelona since returning to the Camp Nou in 2008, it’s hard to imagine Pique lining up for United against Exeter City.

The World Cup winner is arguably one of the best centre-backs of his generation.

Jonathan Spector

The American defender on made a handful of appearances for the Red Devils before moving on to West Ham in 2006.

He spent five years at Upton Park, then a further six years with Birmingham City, before signing for Orlando City in 2017.

Chris Eagles

There was a time when it looked as if Chris Eagles might be the next big thing at Old Trafford.

Unfortunately, that didn’t prove to be the case but the winger still enjoyed a reasonably decent career.

Remembered most for his spells with Burnley and Bolton, the 32-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Ross County in April.

Eric Djemba-Djemba

Signed by Ferguson as a potential long-term replacement for Roy Keane, it quickly became apparent that Eric Djemba-Djemba wasn’t at the level required for the Red Devils.

The Cameroon midfielder left Old Trafford for Aston Villa in 2005 and has since played for many obscure clubs including Odense BK, Chennaiyin FC and Persebaya Surabaya.

Now 37, Djemba-Djemba - so good they named him twice - currently plies his trade for Swiss fifth division club FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues.

The next Keane he was not.

David Jones

The home match against Exeter was David Jones’s full Man Utd debut - but it was also the beginning of the end of his Old Trafford career.

The former England Under-21 international has spent the most of his career since playing in the Football League.

The 33-year-old has been with Sheffield Wednesday since 2016.

Liam Miller

Another player who was tipped to become Roy Keane’s successor, Liam Miller struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford and was subsequently sold to Sunderland in 2006.

The former Republic of Ireland international went on to play for clubs in Scotland, Australia and America before he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2017.

In February 2018, Miller tragically died four days shy of his 37th birthday.

Rest in peace, Liam.

David Bellion

Once compared to Thierry Henry, no less, David Bellion was nowhere near the standard required of a Man Utd forward.

Lightning quick, the former France Under-21 international was offloaded to Nice in 2006 and then enjoyed a decent seven-year spell with Bordeaux from 2007 onwards.

The 35-year-old retired in 2016 after two years with French lower-league outfit Red Star.

Kieran Richardson

Known as a bit of a big time Charlie during his formative years with Man Utd, Kieran Richardson was sold to Sunderland in 2007.

He went on to play for Fulham, Aston Villa and Cardiff City but has been without a club since 2016.

Still only 33, Richardson recently said that he would return to football if the right opportunity came along.

Used subs

Cristiano Ronaldo

Who?

Wonder whatever happened to that guy.

This happened in the second leg against Exeter, by the way…

Alan Smith

A striker when he arrived at Old Trafford in 2004, Alan Smith was turned into a defensive midfielder under Ferguson at United.

He continued to play in that role for Newcastle United, MK Dons and Notts County.

Now 37, retirement would appear to be imminent for the one-time England international.

Paul Scholes

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, little needs to be said about Paul Scholes.

The midfield maestro has spent the past few years working as a pundit in the media - something nobody would have envisaged happening during his playing career.

He never said a word when he was a footballer. Now he doesn’t stop talking.