The Newton Heath LYR F.C. football team that would later become Manchester United was established in 1878. Manchester United became the club’s moniker in 1902, and the rest is history. United has won more English league championships than any other side, surpassing Liverpool after winning their 19th trophy last year. But great players are necessary to win championships, and United has had no shortage of outstanding footballers. Find the list of the Top 10 Manchester United players of all time below.
10. Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes, a renowned midfielder for United, starts the countdown at No. 10. Scholesy is selected mostly because to three characteristics: consistency, goal-scoring from the middle, and winning experience. In a sport where injuries are a constant problem for players, Scholes played 25 or more times for United in 17 straight seasons. I’m not sure what else could be more consistent than that. In his remarkable tenure at Old Trafford, Scholes won 22 trophies, including 10 Premier League championships, earning him a spot on the list of the Top 10 Manchester United players of all time.
9. Wayne Rooney
Wazza is ranked at position nine. Rooney is presently ranked No. 9, but if he quits football, he will undoubtedly go up the list. 155 goals have been scored by Rooney in 327 games for United. Rooney is now ranked tenth on United’s all-time scoring list, however, he is close to passing Ryan Giggs (159), Mark Hughes (163), and Joe Spence (168). If Rooney keeps on his current goal-scoring pace, he will undoubtedly pass Giggs, Hughes, and Spence this year and might ultimately surpass Sir Bobby Charlton (249) as the Red Devils’ all-time leading scorer.
8. Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel, a former member of the Danish national team and perhaps the best custodian in history, is ranked No. 8 on the list. Schmeichel played 398 times for United (1991–1999) and scored once for the team. Schmeichel was named one of the top 10 goalkeepers of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) in 2000, among many other accolades.
7. Roy Keane
Former Republic of Ireland great Roy Keane is ranked seventh. From 1993 until 2006, Keane played 480 times in the middle for the Red Devils, scoring 50 goals. The midfielder is notable for assuming Eric Cantona’s armband after the Frenchman abruptly retired. The fiercely competitive Irish midfielder helped Manchester United win seven Premier League championships and the Champions League in 1999. Keane played 480 times for the club, making 51 goals, and is known for his leadership, tenacity, and contribution to the team’s accomplishments.
6. Ryan Giggs
The always-popular midfielder Ryan Giggs is ranked sixth. Giggsy has a club-record 879 appearances and is presently sixth on United’s all-time goalscoring list with 159 goals. He made his Red Devils debut in 1990, and since then, he hasn’t stopped dismantling defenders. Earlier this year, ManUtd.com, the club’s official website, polled people all around the world to determine who the best United player ever was.
5. Denis Law
Denis Law, a former striker for Scotland, is ranked No. 5. The Red Devils had Law for more than ten years (1962–1973). He scored 171 goals in 309 games throughout that tenure for the team. Law exemplifies the term “living legend.” Law is shown with legends George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton on the “United Trinity” statue outside Old Trafford.
4. Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona, a United striker, takes up position No. 4. Despite just playing five seasons at United, Cantona is unquestionably a top-10 pick. After joining Manchester United in 1992, the French attacker helped the team drastically change its fortunes by helping them win four Premier League championships in five years. Cantona is recognised for his confidence, talent, and contribution to the team’s success. He scored 82 goals in 185 games for the club. Cantona won nine titles throughout his five seasons, including the Premier League four times.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, a player with extraordinary potential, is third on the list. Ronaldo’s departure from United is the only reason he is not ranked higher. Other than that, he is without a doubt the greatest player to ever don a Manchester United jersey and one of the greatest players in football history. In 292 games for the Red Devils between 2003 and 2009, Ronaldo made an incredible 118 goals. When the Portuguese forward joined Manchester United in 2003, he rapidly made a name for himself as one of the world’s most gifted players. Before transferring to Real Madrid in 2009, Ronaldo assisted the team in winning three Premier League championships and the Champions League in 2008.
2. Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton, who is notorious, is ranked No. 2 on the list. The former England international set a club record with 249 goals for United. For the Red Devils, Charlton mostly played in the attacking midfield position and is known for his enticing long-range shots. The English midfielder played with Manchester United for the entirety of his career and was an important contributor to the 1968 European Cup-winning squad. One of the finest players in English football history, Charlton scored 249 goals in 758 games for the team. It is mind-boggling to consider that Sir Bobby Charlton’s life and career might have ended in his second season because as football fans, we were pampered by his brilliance on the pitch. Thankfully, Charlton was one of the 21 people who escaped the 1958 Munich aviation accident.
1. George Best
At No. 1, George Best completes the list of the United’s greatest players ever. Best gained worldwide fame thanks to his incredible United career. The Northern Irish attacker helped Manchester United win two league titles and the European Cup in 1968. He was a superb dribbler and a deadly scorer. Best is regarded as one of the most accomplished players of his age. He scored 179 goals in 470 games for the club. Best could have been much great if his drunkenness had not interfered with him. On November 25, 2005, Best, 59, passed suddenly from health issues brought on by drinking. Let’s all pause for a minute to reflect on George Best’s contributions to football as he tops our list of the Top 10 Manchester United players of all time.
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