Who are the best Manchester United players of all time? This is a club that is hated by many but remains one of the most popular football clubs in the world. Let’s take a look at the top 10:
10. Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand is one of the best defenders in Premier League history and one of the greatest Manchester United players. When he arrived from Leeds as a 23-year old for £30m he was the most expensive defender and British footballer ever at the time.
Ferdinand helped transform United’s defense into one of the world’s best throughout the 2000s. An excellent tackler, passer and leader, Ferdinand won six Premier League titles in 12 seasons as well as the Champions League in 2008.
9. Bryan Robson
Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Robson is Manchester United’s longest ever serving captain and one of the club’s greatest leaders. His 345 league games, 74 goals, two Premier League titles and a European Cup Winners’ Cup doesn’t do justice to the impact he had. A midfield boss he controlled the game with crunching tackles and forward runs.
8. Roy Keane
Roy Keane was a fearless leader on the pitch and he helped guide United to 17 major titles. The Irishman delivered iconic performances from midfield and was an inspiration to both his team and Red Devils fans. Keane is one of the best Manchester United players of all time and was the reliable presence needed as he owned the midfield through 366 Premier League games, registering 39 goals and 33 assists.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo
One of the best soccer players of all time Ronaldo had a massive impact on the club. At 18 years of age he moved to Manchester United and won his first of five Ballon d’Or awards at age 23.
While at the club he won three successive Premier League titles and the Champions League. Before a 2009 move to Real Madrid for a then-world record £80 million, Ronaldo finished his Manchester United career with 292 appearances and 118 goals.
6. Eric Cantona
French bad boy Eric Cantona is one of Manchester United’s best ever players and was a key part of the club’s 1990s resurgence. Before Messi, there was Cantona and his presence upfront was colossal. There was some method to his madness and he wanted to win at all costs. His raw aggression caused issues we won’t talk about, but United were better for it and won four titles with Cantona in the team.
5. Wayne Rooney
One of the best players of his generation, Wayne Rooney was a genius upfront and is one of the greatest United players in history. Even his natural-born striker instincts run in the family with his son Kai following in his footsteps in the United youth academy.
Rooney finished his career at United with a club-record 253 goals. His 183 goals in the Premier League has him behind only Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero for most goals at a single club.
4. Ryan Giggs
A one-club man, Ryan Giggs won an astonishing 34 major trophies including 13 Premier League and two Champions League titles with Manchester United. Across a 24-year career, Giggs made 963 total appearances for the club with 672 of those in the top flight. Giggs was extremely versatile and could line up anywhere in attack. Toward the end of his career he even played as a defensive midfielder or as a fullback.
3. Paul Scholes
The greatest one club player in Premier League history Paul Scholes started his career at Manchester United as a 14-year old in an academy player. A midfield maestro he went on to make 700 total appearances for the club, with 499 of those in the Premier League.
Scholes was known for his incredible passing and vision. So consistent was Scholes he scored 107 goals in the Premier League and found the back of the net in 19 consecutive seasons. He went on to win 11 Premier League titles, the most by any Englishman, and also won two Champions League titles.
2. George Best
George Best is the second best Manchester United player ever. The Northern Irishman is one of the greatest wingers and was known for his incredible dribbling skills. In his 11 seasons with the club he won two First Division titles and the European Cup in 1968, the same year he was crowned Ballon d’Or winner.
In total he made 474 appearances for United and scored 181 goals. So special was Best, even opposition fans would give him standing ovations because of his dazzling skills.
1. Sir Bobby Charlton
The best English striker of all time, Sir Bobby Charlton helped guide England to World Cup glory in 1966, the same year he won the Ballon d’Or. Charlton joined United’s academy in 1953 and quickly excelled with his attacking instincts and a ferocious shot.
Charlton is the best Manchester United player in history and he held the record for most games for the club with 758, since surpassed by Ryan Giggs in 2008. His 249 goals for the club was also a record until Wayne Rooney overtook his tally in 2017.
