Manchester United have won the Premier League the most number of times, and are seen as one of the best clubs in the world. Over the years, a number of iconic players have worn the famous red shirt. Here are the top ten players to feature for Manchester United over the years.
Top 10 Manchester United players in history
10. Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson was Sir Alex Ferguson’s first captain, as he took charge of Manchester United. Robson’s presence carried the team and set them up to be the most dominant side in the division for decades. He became one of the first names on the teamsheet for Sir Alex Ferguson, which shows how much he was trusted.
9. Duncan Edwards
Duncan Edwards had over 150 appearances for Manchester United when he was 21. He sadly passed away in the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, and was tipped to be the best player in the world by Sir Bobby Charlton.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo was the world’s most expensive footballer when he left Manchester United in 2009. In six years, after being signed at 18, he emerged as one of the top players in the Premier League. The Portuguese has now returned to Manchester United after conquering the world.
7. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney carried the team when they needed it most. He joined United at 18, and went on to become the highest goalscorer in the club’s history with 253 goals, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton. Rooney won five Premier League titles and a Champions League title during his illustrious spell at Manchester United before returning to Everton.
6. Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona was signed from Manchester United’s rivals, Leeds United. He was the missing link that Sir Alex Ferguson needed to establish United as the strongest force in England. He was vital for the team as they won the Premier League four times, and the FA Cup twice.
5. Paul Scholes
Scholes only featured for Manchester United throughout his playing career. He is still held as one of the greatest midfielders to ever appear in the Premier League. He won 11 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues along with three FA Cups and two League Cups.
4. Denis Law
Denis Law was a key player in the squad that won the European Cup in 1968, the club’s first ever continental title. He was Manchester United’s highest goalscorer for a long time, with 237 total goals to his name. He has been immortalized with a statue outside Old Trafford alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best.
3. George Best
On the pitch, George Best was untouchable. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1968, after scoring the winning goal for Manchester United’s first ever European Cup in the same year, against Benfica. George Best tops the list of all the players that have worn the number 7 shirt at the club.
2. Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs is a Manchester United academy product, and holds a number of records in England. He has the most number of Premier League titles, with 13. The midfielder also has the most Premier League appearances ever, with 963 to his name. His goal against Arsenal in the 1998/99 FA Cup semifinal is still remembered as one of the best to ever be scored in the country.
1. Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton is now Manchester United’s second highest goalscorer, with 249 strikes. He captained the team that lifted the 1968 European Cup, and is unquestionably the greatest to ever feature for the club. Sir Bobby Charlton won the 1966 Ballon d’Or, and his legacy lives on with a statue outside Old Trafford.
