Manchester United is the biggest club in the world with a humongous fan base behind the team. The history, the players, and most important the trophies, it’s all part of Manchester United.
There have been some wonderful players who have donned the United jersey over the years and it would be impossible to give a notable mention to them all.
Hence, here we talk about the top 10 legends in Manchester United history who have left a massive mark with their time at the club.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese Superstar is regarded as one of the best players to ever grace the game and comes in at No.10 on our list. Ronaldo reached superstar status in his six years at United in which he won three consecutive Premier League titles, UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World cup alongside an FA Cup and two league cups.
He won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 with the club before sealing a move to Real Madrid. Ronaldo made his return back to United in 2021 at the age of 37 and showed his high level by scoring 18 goals with a struggling United side.
9. Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson comes within the debate of one of the best captains of the club to date and is the longest-serving captain in the history of the club and won two Premier League winners’ medals, three FA Cups, one Football League Cup, two FA Charity Shields, and a European Cup Winners’ Cup.
8. Roy Keane
The no-nonsense midfielder is the other half of the argument for the best United captain alongside Bryan Robson and is cherished by United fans for his disciplined personality and a willingness to win at all costs, which was infectious on all his teammates. He comes in at no.8 in our legend and the midfielder spent 8 years at the club from 1997 to 2005.
7. Denis Law
Denis Law played for United for eleven years between 1962 to 1973 and is regarded as one of the best forwards to ever don the jersey. He scored 237 goals for United including an impressive 46 goals in the 1963/64 season which still remains the highest goals scored in a season by a United player. He won the Ballon D’or for his performances in that season.
6. Paul Scholes
Academy boy Paul Scholes is a proud Mancunian and was part of the famed class of 1992. One of the best midfielders to grace the Premier League. He made 718 appearances for the club, the third highest for the club and won 25 trophies in his 11 years at the club. He is widely considered one of the best players of his generation and was part of the golden generation of English football. He was a proper box-to-box midfielder with his immaculate vision and tenacity in the middle of the park. He comes at no.6 on our United legend’s list.
5. Ryan Giggs
Like Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs came from the Academy and became a legend of the club. Described by Sir Alex as one of the best talents to emerge from the Academy, Giggs made his debut at just 17 years of age and went on to represent the club for the next 19 years till 2010 before retiring as a one-club man at United. He holds the record for the highest number of appearances made for the club with 963 appearances and won 13 Premier League titles, 2 Champions League titles and 4 FA Cups illustrating a glorious career for the Welshman.
4. George Best
The flamboyant attacker Best is another one of the greats of Manchester United and is considered one of the best players of his generation. The skilful dribbler scored 171 goals for the club and was the club’s highest goal scorer for five consecutive seasons. He made his debut at age of 17 and won two League titles and the European Cup with the club. He was the European Footballer of the Year in 1968.
3. Eric Cantona
One of the shrewdest signings of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era, Eric Cantona came from Leeds United in 1992 and instantly made an impact on the team. He was a physical and hard-working player and always stepped up when needed the most. Eric Cantona’s presence on the pitch always gave the team a competitive edge and added quality and he won four League titles in five years with Two League and FA Cup doubles. Fans regard him as “King Eric” for his wonderful spell at the club.
2. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney tore up the Premier League when he made his debut aged 16 at Everton and Sir Alex did not waste any time in securing the Englishman’s services. Wayne Rooney is the highest goal scorer for United with 253 goals and his 183 goals in the Premier League are the second highest number of goals for a club, just behind Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero at 184.
During his time at United, he won 16 trophies and alongside Micheal Carrick is the only Englishman to win the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, League Cup, UEFA Europa League, and FIFA Club World Cup.
He is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation.
1. Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton is widely considered one of the best players to play the sport. He was influential in bringing Manchester United to the biggest stage and he is highly responsible for what Manchester United stands for today.
Sir Bobby Charlton played an instrumental role in England’s Euro win in 1966 and won the Ballon D’or for the same. He was known for his attacking intuitions, passing abilities, and lethal long-range shots. Bobby Charlton helped United win the European cup and became the first English side to win the prestigious award.
He has the second most appearances for United with 758 appearances, only behind Ryan Giggs and second most goals scored for the club with 247 goals, only behind Wayne Rooney.
