Even though Manchester United is currently going through a difficult time, the team’s illustrious past is unaffected. The Red Devils are among the most successful teams in all of football, having won a record 13 Premier League crowns and 68 trophies overall. They may credit managers like Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson for helping them achieve the success levels they had in the past.
However, without the outstanding talent they had at their disposal, those managers would not have achieved half of their accomplishment. Over the years, United has been fortunate to have some of the world’s best football players, and their supporters recently used Ranker to rank the top 20 players to have ever played for the side.
The fact that none of the current United team makes the list is indicative of the times at Old Trafford, but it’s a true who’s who of top quality. Below, you can see the top 20.
Fans’ list of the greatest Man United players of all time, 20–11
Rank
The player
Man United’s appearances
20
Persie, Robin
105
19.
Gunnar Ole Solskjaer
366
18
Law, Denis
405
17
Andy Cole
275
16
De Gea, David
545
15.
Neville, Gary
600
14
Nistelrooy, Ruud van
219
13.
Vidic Nemanja
300
Twelve
Van der Sar, Edwin
266
11.
Ronaldo Cristiano
346
10Eric Cantona
Man United appearances: 185
Although he may not have spent as much time in Manchester as some of the other players on this list, Eric Cantona made just as much of an impression while playing for United as nearly everyone else. The Frenchman became one of the greatest deals in Premier League history when he joined the Red Devils in the early 1990s for just £1.2 million from Leeds United.
On the football field, he was a trailblazer who enjoyed torturing opposing defenses. Although he only played 185 games for United under Ferguson, he contributed 145 goals and took home a few medals before retiring early in 1997.
9Peter Schmeichel
Man United appearances: 398
There was no question that Peter Schmeichel, the third and last goalie on this list, would be the best goalie overall. Few will argue with the fact that he is regarded as the best goalkeeper in Premier League history. At Old Trafford, the Dane was a sensation in goal and frequently proved to be invincible.
He had a key role in their success in the 1990s, and once he left, they struggled for years to find someone who could take over. In the perspective of United supporters, Schmeichel’s 112 Premier League appearances were more than enough to establish him as one of the team’s all-time greats.
8Rio Ferdinand
Man United appearances: 455
Rio Ferdinand was a popular defender at Old Trafford and one of the finest players in his position throughout his time, but he is now a contentious character whose work as a football commentator on television has offended some fans. For more than ten years, he was a pillar at the back, and he and Nemanja Vidic created one of the best center-back duos in Premier League history.
Ferdinand’s ability to play out from the back and carry the ball forward distinguished him from most defenders of his time, and few forwards could defeat him.
7Ryan Giggs
Man United appearances: 963
It seems as though Ryan Giggs’ legacy has been mostly ignored since his retirement. Throughout his career, the brilliant Welshman has more assists than anybody else in the Premier League. Giggs played a key role in United’s hegemonic rule in the 1990s and 2000s. During his 973 games with the Red Devils, he assisted on 268 goals and scored 168 goals himself.
It’s no accident that United hasn’t been able to reclaim the trophy since Giggs retired in 2014, as he won all 13 of the team’s Premier League titles with them. The Red Devils haven’t had a player like the winger since, who was a creative force.
6George Best
Man United appearances: 470
George Best, one of the most adored United players ever, was a football magician who could do things with the ball that very few players in the beautiful game have ever been able to match. For the most part, the Irishman had a remarkable talent and one of the greatest players on the planet in his peak, but his antics off the field eventually affected his output and effectiveness on it.
Fans still hold Best in high regard even though he left United in 1974 and retired ten years later in 1984. Even people who were not present when he played understand how exceptional he was, and as a result, United followers rank him as the sixth-greatest player of all time.
5Roy Keane
Man United appearances: 479
For a while, Roy Keane’s United career ending may have left a negative impression on the team’s supporters, but now, twenty years later, everyone recognizes how crucial he was to the team in the middle of the park. The Irishman’s straightforward demeanor and unwavering voice have made him one of the most popular and entertaining television commentators, but they have also made him one of the most resilient football players.
Keane’s followers are aware of how crucial he was at Old Trafford, even though his relationship with Ferguson may have deteriorated to the point where it cannot be fixed.
4David Beckham
Man United appearances: 394
David Beckham is one of the best English football players of all time, and his playmaking skills and amazing vision allowed him to break through even the tightest defenses. He is another star whose relationship with Ferguson ended at the end of his time at Old Trafford.
Throughout his career, Beckham excelled on the right side of midfield and had a unique ability to cross the ball. It is impossible to overestimate his contribution to the United team’s success in the 1990s and early 2000s; he was a born leader.
3Wayne Rooney
Man United appearances: 559
Wayne Rooney is United’s all-time top scorer, so it’s hardly shocking that his supporters chose him as one of the best players in the team’s history. For most of his career, the Englishman scorched defenders after making his debut as a teenager. He scored an amazing number of goals for the Red Devils despite transitioning into a deeper midfield role as his time at Old Trafford went on.
He also moved into a midfield position with ease. His power and quickness made him a nightmare for opponents, and he developed into a superb playmaker.
2Paul Scholes
Man United appearances: 716
The question of who is the greatest midfielder in Premier League history—Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, or Frank Lampard—has frequently been up for dispute. The latter is regarded by United supporters as the team’s second-best player ever. Scholes was a fantastic midfielder and a visionary in the middle of the park, but he didn’t score goals as often as Lampard or produce the memorable moments that Gerrard had at Liverpool.
On the football field, he seemed to be able to find anyone with a pass. His importance to the Red Devils and Ferguson is demonstrated by the fact that he retired and then returned to the beautiful game to help his team win the Premier League title.
1Bobby Charlton
Man United appearances: 746
Bobby Charlton, who is regarded by United supporters as the best player of all time, is not someone that many contemporary supporters will have seen in person, but they are all still acutely aware of what a unique talent he was while he was playing. After beginning his career on the flank, he transitioned into a more center role and performed exceptionally well.
The Englishman, who is renowned for his accurate passing and incredibly powerful shooting, was a huge difference-maker for United, and his supporters have acknowledged him as the best player to have ever played for the team. What a privilege.
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