Manchester United is arguably the biggest club in England and one of the greatest in the world. In its 144 years of existence so far, the club has recorded tremendous success on the domestic, continental and global stages.
Some of the best players in football history have played for the Red Devils, hence, it is not easy and straightforward to list out the 10 greatest players to have ever played for the club.
In this article, your ultimate soccer blog FootballOrbit brings you the top 10 greatest Manchester United players in history.
1. GEORGE BEST
MAN UNITED CAREER: (1963-1974)
POSITION: Winger
APPEARANCES: 470
GOALS: 179
TROPHIES: 5
George Best is the yardstick for measuring the Number 7 at Manchester United. The Northern Irishman possessed incredible dribbling skills, silky touches, pace, poise, balance, control and resistance.
Best scored an extra-time winner in the final of the 1968 European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) against Benfica, helping United become the first English club to win it. He won the Ballon d’Or that same year.
In the year 2000, he came 6th in the FIFA Player of the Century rankings.
With Manchester United, George Best won 2 league titles, the European Cup (Champions League) and 2 Charity Cups (now Community Shield).
2. BOBBY CHARLTON
MAN UNITED CAREER: (1953-1973)
POSITION: Attacking Midfielder
APPEARANCES: 758
GOALS: 249
TROPHIES: 9
Sir Bobby Charlton is regarded as one of the best players in football history. He was renowned for his attacking instincts, brilliant passing, and ferocious long-range strikes.
He led England to win the FIFA World Cup in 1966 and won the Ballon d’Or in the same year. He was also the captain of the Manchester United side that won the club’s first ever European Cup (now UEFA Champions League) in 1968.
Charlton is the second all-time highest goal scorer and also has the second highest appearances in Man United’s history.
Incredibly, in his more than 20 years career, he earned just two yellow cards; one for United and one for England.
With Manchester United, Bobby Charlton won 3 league titles, 4 Community Shields, an FA Cup and European Cup.
3. RYAN GIGGS
MAN UNITED CAREER: (1987-2014)
POSITION: Winger
APPEARANCES: 963
GOALS: 168
TROPHIES: 34
One of the most underrated players in history, Giggs was a flying winger in his prime and later switched to being a midfielder later in his career. The Welshman was known for his sheer pace, power, creativity, vision, composure and link-up play.
He is one of the most decorated players in football history. With Man United, he won 13 Premier League titles (more than any players in history), 2 UEFA Champions Leagues, 4 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, 9 Community Shields, the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.
Ryan Giggs holds Man United’s all-time appearance record, with 963 appearances.
4. WAYNE ROONEY
MAN UNITED CAREER: (2004-2017)
POSITION: Forward
APPEARANCES: 559
GOALS: 253
TROPHIES: 16
Rooney was signed as an 18-year-old prodigy from Everton in 2004 and went on to become one of the most iconic players in Manchester United’s history.
He was creative, energetic, technically gifted, versatile and a fantastic goalscorer. He is the Red Devil’s all-time highest goalscorer with 253 goals.
At United, Wayne Rooney won 5 English Premier League titles, 3 League Cups, 4 Community Shields, an FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
5. ERIC CANTONA
MAN UNITED CAREER: (1992-1997)
POSITION: Forward
APPEARANCES: 185
GOALS: 82
TROPHIES: 9
Nicknamed “King Eric” by the Old Trafford faithful who still chant his name till date, Cantona was a physical and hardworking forward who combined skill, power and creativity with excellent goalscoring ability.
He wore the Number 7 jersey and was widely regarded as very important to the revival of Manchester United in the 90s.
Eric Cantona won 4 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups and 3 Community Shields with Man U.
6. CRISTIANO RONALDO
MAN UNITED CAREER: (2003-2009) (2021-present)
POSITION: Forward
APPEARANCES: 322*
GOALS: 133*
TROPHIES: 9*
***as at the date of writing this article.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford as a raw 18-year-old youngster with lots of potential. The Portuguese attacker was handed the glorious Number 7 jersey and lived up to the hype as he quickly became a fans’ favourite with his charisma, speed, sheer confidence, immense dribbling skills, set-piece techniques and a knack for scoring goals.
He left United for Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record transfer and went on to establish himself as one of the greatest player in football history.
He is now back at Old Trafford after joining from Juventus.
In the last season of his first spell at Manchester United (2008/09), CR7 scored 42 goals and won the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. He also won the Ballon d’Or that season.
So far, Cristiano Ronaldo has won 3 English Premier League titles, 2 League Cups, an FA Cup, Community Shield, UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
7. DENIS LAW
MAN UNITED CAREER: (1962-1973)
POSITION: Forward
APPEARANCES: 404
GOALS: 237
TROPHIES: 6
Denis Law spent 11 years at Manchester United and became the club’s 3rd all-time highest goalscorer. He was the third member of the “Holy Trinity” attacking partnership that also included George Best and Bobby Charlton.
Law won the Ballon d’Or in 1964 — the only Scottish to have done so till date.
He left United to join rivals Manchester City and in the last match of the 1973/74 league season, Law scored a brilliant back-heel goal for City in the 81st minute but refused to celebrate as he thought the goal will relegate United (Man U still got relegated though, due to results in other matches)
With Manchester United, Denis Law won 2 league titles, an FA Cup, 2 Community Shields and an European Cup (Champions League).
8. PAUL SCHOLES
MAN UNITED CAREER: (1991-2013)
POSITION: Midfielder
APPEARANCES: 718
GOALS: 155
TROPHIES: 25
A quiet and unassuming character, Paul Scholes wasn’t always noticeable on the pitch but he was very difficult to play against. He had outstanding vision, excellent playmaking, creativity, brilliant long-range shots and read the game incredibly well.
He was dubbed “the pass master” due to his sensational ability to pick out a teammate with a pass almost anywhere on the pitch. He was one of the best midfielders of his generation.
With Manchester United, Paul Scholes won 11 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 5 Community Shields, 2 UEFA Champions League trophies, the Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
9. DUNCAN EDWARDS
MAN UNITED CAREER: (1953-1958)
POSITION: Midfielder
APPEARANCES: 177
GOALS: 21
TROPHIES: 4
Edwards was a member of the legendary “Busby Babes” and one of the victims that died in the 1958 Munich Air Disaster. He died at 21 years old but had already made about 177 appearances for United and cemented his name among the club’s all-time legends.
Edwards was renowned for his strength, authority on the pitch, brilliant passes, dynamism, versatility (he can play anywhere on the pitch; he will start some games as striker and later switch back to defence and vice-versa) and toughness — he is one of the most toughest players in football history.
Before his sudden death, Duncan Edwards had won 2 league titles and 2 Community Shields with Manchester United.
10. BRYAN ROBSON
MAN UNITED CAREER: (1981-1994)
POSITION: Midfielder
APPEARANCES: 461
GOALS: 99
TROPHIES: 10
Robson joined Man U for a then British-record £1.5m transfer and more than justified the fee during his 13-year career at Old Trafford. He was fondly referred to as “Captain Marvel” by the club’s fans.
He was a complete box-to-box midfielder who had terrific anticipation, movement, timing, speed, bravery, stamina, brilliant passing and was also a good goalscorer.
With Manchester United, Bryan Robson won 2 league titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 Community Shields, a League Cup and an European Cup Winners’ Cup.
NOTABLE MENTIONS:
David Beckham (1992-2003)
Roy Keane (1993-2005)
Mark Hughes (1980-1986) (1988-1995)
Roger Byrne (1951-58)
Peter Schmeichel (1991-1999)
Gary Neville (1992-2011)
Dennis Irwin (1990-2002)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (1996-2007)
Andy Cole (1995-2001)
Steve Bruce (1987-1996)
