Yeah I can understand where you are coming from but for a lot of people around there mid 20s Ronaldo will be one of the first players they can remember growing up at the club and what he has gone on to become makes it even more special. I was leaving school in 2008 so he will always be right up there. My all time favourite player is Scholes but I can understand why a lot would have Ronaldo as theirs.
Redcafe's favourite Manchester United players.
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- Start date
Yeah I can understand where you are coming from but for a lot of people around there mid 20s Ronaldo will be one of the first players they can remember growing up at the club and what he has gone on to become makes it even more special. I was leaving school in 2008 so he will always be right up there. My all time favourite player is Scholes but I can understand why a lot would have Ronaldo as theirs.
Two of the best players the world has ever seen.
One last post before I reveal the top two.
Exciting times.
Exciting times.
I'm sure you are quite correct with this assertion and it may be the main reason why Ronaldo is going to end up in the top 2 vote-getters on the caf. However I'm nearly 60 and have watched/followed United for over 50 years and IMHO not only is he the best player I've seen at OT in that time he is the best player I've seen in all of English football during that period.
Alan Smith made the list?
I have always had a massive soft spot for Smith. He signed for United when I was in secondary school. I loved the way he played (a lot of fight in a very average team) and I have to admit that i thought his hair was the *****
He was my favourite player for many years!
I have always had a massive soft spot for Smith. He signed for United when I was in secondary school. I loved the way he played (a lot of fight in a very average team) and I have to admit that i thought his hair was the *****
He was my favourite player for many years!
2. Djemba
1. Djemba
Honorable mention to Andy Goram
1. Djemba
Honorable mention to Andy Goram
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
740 points
Premier League Appearances -157 (39)
Overall Appearances - 244 (48)
Premier League Goals - 84
Overall Goals - 118
Position - Right Winger
In the summer of 2003, Manchester United played Sporting in a friendly. Now legend has it that Ronaldo's performance that day convinced United to sign him. It didn't quite work out that way, United would never have signed a player based on ninety minutes of a friendly. Still Rio Ferdinand would recall years later, going up to Fergie after the game, "Are we going to get him or not?"
Luckily, United did get their man and Ronaldo signed that summer for about 12 million pounds. The young Portuguese winger would arrive at Old Trafford to sign his contract. He didn't bring any clothes as he had assumed he would be loaned back to Sporting CP for a year. Ferguson told him to go back and bring his stuff to Manchester. He would make his debut eight days later.
That home debut is still one of my fondest moments in football. Coming on in a Premier League game against Bolton, Ronaldo absolutely stole the show and although he didn't score in the 4-0 win his contributions excited the Stretford End. "There's only one Ronaldo" rang out the song from the terraces as the young pacey winger jinxed and tricked his way against the Bolton defence. George Best remarked that it was "the most exciting debut I'd ever seen" and it's hard to argue with his assertion.
Ronaldo would be used sparingly that year. He would only start 15 Premier League games. However his talent was clear to see and at the end of the season he got the all important first goal in an FA Cup final against Millwall. The first of many trophies had arrived.
How the trophies flowed after that. In his third season at the club, he added the League Cup to his growing trophy collection, scoring the third in a 4-0 rout of Wigan. Despite this Ronaldo had been accused of lacking end product as the winger had only scored 12 times in over 47 appearances. As Ronaldo went to the World Cup that summer, many people felt the winger didn't have the "footballing brain" to kick on from his initial promise.
Things came to a head in the World Cup itself when Ronaldo represented Portugal and got involved with Wayne Rooney in an incident that led to England being knocked out of the World Cup. Ronaldo would ask to leave United as he thought the club hadn't protected him enough. Ferguson and United refused to accept the transfer request.
In his fourth season at the club, Ronaldo exploded. His form saw him score over twenty goals for Manchester United as they were crowned Premier League champions. He added a diversity to his game which saw him bamboozle defenders with his skill, before slamming the ball home. His range of passing, goalscoring ability, deadly pace and incredibly deceptive strength made him a nightmare for defenders.
He followed that up with the 2007/2008 season which will go down as one of the best seasons in Manchester United's history. Scoring an incredible 42 goals, Ronaldo would propel Manchester United to the Premier League and the Champions league. He would go onto win the Premier League's Golden Boot, become the top scorer in the whole of Europe and eventually come runner up in the Ballon d'Or. Not bad for a young Portuguese winger with no consistency. His role in the 08 Champions League final will always be remembered as he put Manchester United in front with one of his towering headers in a crunch game against Chelsea. Truly one of the best seasons ever had by someone in a United shirt.
His final season came in the 2008/2009 season as United reclaimed the Premier League trophy. Ronaldo would score another 26 goals and become the first United player since George Best to win the Ballon d'Or award. By the time he left United in 2009 he had become the perfect footballer. His training and dedication turning him into a phenomenon that will go down in United's history.
To this day Ronaldo is still chanted about at Manchester United. Viva Ronaldo is one of the Stretford End's most popular chants, as United sing about the lanky Portuguese winger who went on to become the best footballer in the world while under United's tutelage.
740 points
Premier League Appearances -157 (39)
Overall Appearances - 244 (48)
Premier League Goals - 84
Overall Goals - 118
Position - Right Winger
In the summer of 2003, Manchester United played Sporting in a friendly. Now legend has it that Ronaldo's performance that day convinced United to sign him. It didn't quite work out that way, United would never have signed a player based on ninety minutes of a friendly. Still Rio Ferdinand would recall years later, going up to Fergie after the game, "Are we going to get him or not?"
Luckily, United did get their man and Ronaldo signed that summer for about 12 million pounds. The young Portuguese winger would arrive at Old Trafford to sign his contract. He didn't bring any clothes as he had assumed he would be loaned back to Sporting CP for a year. Ferguson told him to go back and bring his stuff to Manchester. He would make his debut eight days later.
That home debut is still one of my fondest moments in football. Coming on in a Premier League game against Bolton, Ronaldo absolutely stole the show and although he didn't score in the 4-0 win his contributions excited the Stretford End. "There's only one Ronaldo" rang out the song from the terraces as the young pacey winger jinxed and tricked his way against the Bolton defence. George Best remarked that it was "the most exciting debut I'd ever seen" and it's hard to argue with his assertion.
Ronaldo would be used sparingly that year. He would only start 15 Premier League games. However his talent was clear to see and at the end of the season he got the all important first goal in an FA Cup final against Millwall. The first of many trophies had arrived.
How the trophies flowed after that. In his third season at the club, he added the League Cup to his growing trophy collection, scoring the third in a 4-0 rout of Wigan. Despite this Ronaldo had been accused of lacking end product as the winger had only scored 12 times in over 47 appearances. As Ronaldo went to the World Cup that summer, many people felt the winger didn't have the "footballing brain" to kick on from his initial promise.
Things came to a head in the World Cup itself when Ronaldo represented Portugal and got involved with Wayne Rooney in an incident that led to England being knocked out of the World Cup. Ronaldo would ask to leave United as he thought the club hadn't protected him enough. Ferguson and United refused to accept the transfer request.
In his fourth season at the club, Ronaldo exploded. His form saw him score over twenty goals for Manchester United as they were crowned Premier League champions. He added a diversity to his game which saw him bamboozle defenders with his skill, before slamming the ball home. His range of passing, goalscoring ability, deadly pace and incredibly deceptive strength made him a nightmare for defenders.
He followed that up with the 2007/2008 season which will go down as one of the best seasons in Manchester United's history. Scoring an incredible 42 goals, Ronaldo would propel Manchester United to the Premier League and the Champions league. He would go onto win the Premier League's Golden Boot, become the top scorer in the whole of Europe and eventually come runner up in the Ballon d'Or. Not bad for a young Portuguese winger with no consistency. His role in the 08 Champions League final will always be remembered as he put Manchester United in front with one of his towering headers in a crunch game against Chelsea. Truly one of the best seasons ever had by someone in a United shirt.
His final season came in the 2008/2009 season as United reclaimed the Premier League trophy. Ronaldo would score another 26 goals and become the first United player since George Best to win the Ballon d'Or award. By the time he left United in 2009 he had become the perfect footballer. His training and dedication turning him into a phenomenon that will go down in United's history.
To this day Ronaldo is still chanted about at Manchester United. Viva Ronaldo is one of the Stretford End's most popular chants, as United sing about the lanky Portuguese winger who went on to become the best footballer in the world while under United's tutelage.
Yesssss.
Great Thread @Twigginater . Easily the most enjoyable and most positive thread I remember. Also great result
Great Thread @Twigginater . Easily the most enjoyable and most positive thread I remember. Also great result
Excellent timing Twigg after I'd just posted this.
Scholes was also up there too in my top 10 of course.Yeesss, really like Ronaldo, but didn't want him to win this poll.
Excellent work Twigginater.
1. Paul Scholes
1. Paul Scholes
826 points.
Premier League Appearances - 404 (95)
Overall Appearances - 577 (141)
Premier League Goals - 107
Overall Goals - 155
Position - Centre Midfield
So here it is. Number one on the list. A player who came through United's youth ranks, won countless trophies at the club and always gave his all to the shirt. There isn't many better players chosen to represent Manchester United than Paul Scholes.
At the age of 14, Salford born Paul Scholes signed for Manchester United. He would stay at the club until he turned 38. In his twenty four year stay at the club, he would win eleven Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two Champions League trophies and two League Cup trophies. But more than that, the midfield maestro would pull the strings for Manchester United for 19 different seasons, ensuring not only success but a type of football that made Old Trafford applaud the genius who was playing in front of them.
Starting his career as a secondary striker, Paul Scholes made his debut against Port Vale in 1994. He scored two goals to send United to the next round. He would go onto make 25 total appearances for Manchester United that year. Although he was promising as a striker, there were a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order and Scholes would remain around the first team for a number of seasons without ever becoming a first team regular.
For decades to come, United fans of a certain age will be telling stories about Paul Scholes' passing exploits. His passing was not only precise, but also timed to perfection to start an immeasurable number of United attacks. It was in the 1997/98 season when Paul Scholes played in his famous number 18 shirt in which he started to shine. His position in Manchester United's central midfield meant that he could use his excellent range of passing as well as timing his deadly runs in the box to add a goal threat.
Much like with Giggs, it would be a waste of time for me to try and summarise his career in one small redcafe post. There's simply too many highlights and too many great moments to pick apart and dissect. During his time at Old Trafford he would score numerous goals in finals, contribute to ten successful premier league campaigns, retire, come out of retirement , help United to another Premier League trophy before finally hanging up his boots for good in 2013.
As United dominated the start of the Premier League era, Paul Scholes will forever be entwined with United's success throughout the 90's and the start of the new millennium. Countless players have heaped praise on the Salford born midfielder, with players like Fabregas, Henry, Xavi and Ronaldo calling him the best player they've ever seen. Safe to say that there aren't many footballers with a better reputation than Paul Scholes.
Scholes remains third on Manchester United's all time appearance list with 718 appearances for United. He also sneaks into the top ten scorers list with 155 goals. His legacy will live on at Manchester United as one of the most talented players of a generation who graced the Old Trafford turf for almost two decades.
Could have worked on his tackling a bit though.
826 points.
Premier League Appearances - 404 (95)
Overall Appearances - 577 (141)
Premier League Goals - 107
Overall Goals - 155
Position - Centre Midfield
So here it is. Number one on the list. A player who came through United's youth ranks, won countless trophies at the club and always gave his all to the shirt. There isn't many better players chosen to represent Manchester United than Paul Scholes.
At the age of 14, Salford born Paul Scholes signed for Manchester United. He would stay at the club until he turned 38. In his twenty four year stay at the club, he would win eleven Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two Champions League trophies and two League Cup trophies. But more than that, the midfield maestro would pull the strings for Manchester United for 19 different seasons, ensuring not only success but a type of football that made Old Trafford applaud the genius who was playing in front of them.
Starting his career as a secondary striker, Paul Scholes made his debut against Port Vale in 1994. He scored two goals to send United to the next round. He would go onto make 25 total appearances for Manchester United that year. Although he was promising as a striker, there were a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order and Scholes would remain around the first team for a number of seasons without ever becoming a first team regular.
For decades to come, United fans of a certain age will be telling stories about Paul Scholes' passing exploits. His passing was not only precise, but also timed to perfection to start an immeasurable number of United attacks. It was in the 1997/98 season when Paul Scholes played in his famous number 18 shirt in which he started to shine. His position in Manchester United's central midfield meant that he could use his excellent range of passing as well as timing his deadly runs in the box to add a goal threat.
Much like with Giggs, it would be a waste of time for me to try and summarise his career in one small redcafe post. There's simply too many highlights and too many great moments to pick apart and dissect. During his time at Old Trafford he would score numerous goals in finals, contribute to ten successful premier league campaigns, retire, come out of retirement , help United to another Premier League trophy before finally hanging up his boots for good in 2013.
As United dominated the start of the Premier League era, Paul Scholes will forever be entwined with United's success throughout the 90's and the start of the new millennium. Countless players have heaped praise on the Salford born midfielder, with players like Fabregas, Henry, Xavi and Ronaldo calling him the best player they've ever seen. Safe to say that there aren't many footballers with a better reputation than Paul Scholes.
Scholes remains third on Manchester United's all time appearance list with 718 appearances for United. He also sneaks into the top ten scorers list with 155 goals. His legacy will live on at Manchester United as one of the most talented players of a generation who graced the Old Trafford turf for almost two decades.
Could have worked on his tackling a bit though.
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For the hundredth time, excellent thread @Twigginater!
Thank you for all your work, I quite enjoyed the unravelling and your write-ups.
And Scholes being the number one
Thank you for all your work, I quite enjoyed the unravelling and your write-ups.
And Scholes being the number one
Thanks for all the replies guys. I've really enjoyed doing this, but your posts have made it worthwhile as well.
It's interesting to see how things change. I will do one of these again at some point next year. Perhaps with a more positive feel around the contemporary Manchester United (hopefully) the order will change a bit more. Now people have seen what I will do for the thread, that might change the votes again (no more Petrucci please!)
It's interesting to see how things change. I will do one of these again at some point next year. Perhaps with a more positive feel around the contemporary Manchester United (hopefully) the order will change a bit more. Now people have seen what I will do for the thread, that might change the votes again (no more Petrucci please!)
That was fun Twigg. I'm relatively new to this forum but really enjoyed reading through the little "biographies" for each player. They brought back an awful lot of memories.
Yeah, that's why I liked doing them. Brought back some memories.
Next time will get some others to contribute "best moment" or something maybe.
Cheers @BeforeKeanetherewasRobson for all the great posts.
Glad for Scholes, but that number two...
And the Ginger Prince takes it...
Well deserved first place, and I have to say I'm pleased Ronaldo didn't win
Well done, @Twigginater - you've done a very fine job.
Well deserved first place, and I have to say I'm pleased Ronaldo didn't win
Well done, @Twigginater - you've done a very fine job.
That goal against City!
Absolutely brilliant.
Absolutely brilliant.
The City grandma is the true hero of that episode, she has more screen time than Scholes somehow
Brilliant thread - up there with the Caf's best of all time.
Thanks for the thread, it's been fantastic reading.
Just seen that. High praise from someone I respect a lot!
@Twigginater I have messaged Hitesh Ratna, editor of 4-4-2 magazine about this list, you should be getting paid for this kind of input/writeups
Thank you. That's very nice. Don't think they're that good, but I didn't always spend as long as I wanted on them!
Really appreciate it though.
Edit: tell him I'd gladly do the same for 4-4-2 though
We've had so many great players over the years that, depending on your own interpretation of greatness, we have a player who fits the bill. You have the genius of Best, the passing of Scholes, the tenacity of Keane, the athleticism of Ronnie, the deadly accuracy of Ruud, the agility of DDG, the presence of Eric.. you could be here all day.
Same thread on a Liverpool forum? It's Kenny Dalglish by a landslide.
Same thread on a Liverpool forum? It's Kenny Dalglish by a landslide.
Thank you. That's very nice. Don't think they're that good, but I didn't always spend as long as I wanted on them!
Really appreciate it though.
Edit: tell him I'd gladly do the same for 4-4-2 though
I did a little bit of work experience when I was younger and at uni, he was a staff writer at the time but he set the whole thing up. Havent emailed the guy in about 8 years but you never know! haha
Get a room!Oh, you charmer you.
Thank you
I knew Scholes was gonna win, and I was also sure that Cantona and Keane would make top 5. Not that these things were hard to predict, though
I'm surprised to see Ronaldo there, but that's probably an age thing. Ronaldo is arguably our greatest player ever, and to top it off he had a fantastic winner-mentality and workrate. The only thing you can "criticize" him for, is that he only stayed for 6 seasons and then peaked for a different team. It hurts, but it doesn't take away the fact that he was world class for 3-4 seasons and won the Ballon d'or along the way. He may not have had the influence of Cantona, nor did he stay as long as players like Scholes and Giggs, but in terms of pure talent, he's as good as any of them.
I'm glad Scholes won, though. He's my personal favorite.
I'm surprised to see Ronaldo there, but that's probably an age thing. Ronaldo is arguably our greatest player ever, and to top it off he had a fantastic winner-mentality and workrate. The only thing you can "criticize" him for, is that he only stayed for 6 seasons and then peaked for a different team. It hurts, but it doesn't take away the fact that he was world class for 3-4 seasons and won the Ballon d'or along the way. He may not have had the influence of Cantona, nor did he stay as long as players like Scholes and Giggs, but in terms of pure talent, he's as good as any of them.
I'm glad Scholes won, though. He's my personal favorite.
I'm actually afraid (although not really, quoting Solskjaer, I couldn't care less) that the same preference to the modern players would put Gerrard ahead of him, like Ronnie surprisingly finished ahead Charlton, Best, Cantona and Keane.
But yeah - for such a successful team their list of great players is surprisingly poor - Dalglish, Souness, Keegan, maybe Gerrard (I agree with Fergie and Sacchi regarding him) and Barnes...
Where can I find the voting thread?
They can probably muster a handful of "trues" ...... Souness (thug at times but excellent in 80's), Hansen (classy), Phil Neal (4 EC medals?), Billy Liddell (Busbys first "find"!). Personally, I'd rate Dalglish 2nd behind Rush..... for me, the best out and out goal-scoring centre forward I've ever seen and the first forward I remember who made constantly harassing defenders part of his game.
Cheers!
just saw this. Great thread @Twigginater
Would you not rather have Irwin on the right and Evra on the left in terms of player quality.
I have always felt that G.Neville gets a lift from being part of Class of '92, as well as being part of a great team which hid his weaknesses quite well. We never really missed him when he was injured, apart from him being injured rarely.
Nah, I watched Irwin for years and he played left back - possibly one of the most fluid two-footed players there's been but he was a LB. Evra was a very good LB but not as complete as Irwin. I picked an XI in their positions.... Evra doesn't beat Irwin so wasn't bothered about trying to shoehorn him in. Do I miss Evra from my XI...nope. Would I miss Irwin... yes!
I guess it's all about opinions but I've never met anyone who thought Gary Neville was over-rated - what weaknesses out of interest? Engine.... attacking work with the right sided midfielder.... tackling..... speed over short distances..... positional sense..... desire to win?
I don't think Class of 92 has got anything to do with it (certainly doesn't influence me), its a name made up by the media. Being part of the Class of 92 doesn't make Scholes a great player.... or Giggs/Beckham good players does it? It certainly made Phil Neville look decent (when he wasn't).
Do you think Ferguson ("Mr Ruthless") really picked him for hundreds of games while thinking "its ok, the rest of the team will cover for him"? And more than one England managers picked him for dozens of international games while thinking "he's okaaaay I guess"?
Gobby, argumentative, snarly.... definitely. Average to very good RB, no way.