Redcafe's favourite Manchester United players.

50. Pallister 50. Rafael
50. Gary Pallister

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Premier League Appearances - 314 (3)
Overall Appearances - 433 (4)
Premier League Goals - 8
Overall Goals - 15
Position - Centre Defence


In 1989 Sir Alex Ferguson spent a then record fee for a defender and signed Gary Pallister from Middlesbrough. Few could have predicted the success the great defender would go on to have, with Pallister becoming a key figure in a resurging United. Pallister was great in the air, a strong tackler and a now retired Ferguson said he was probably the fastest player to ever play under him. During his time at the club Pallister would go on to win four premier league trophies, 3 FA Cups and a League Cup and with him and Steve Bruce forming a great partnership, United often seemed impenetrable. Pallister was voted as Manchester United's player of the year in the 1989/1990 season and would be voted the PFA player of the year two years later.

50. Rafael
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Premier League Appearances - 96 (13)
Overall Appearances - 150 (20)
Premier League Goals - 5
Overall Goals - 5
Position - Right Back

Arriving in January in 2008 (but unable to play for the first team for another six months) Rafael and Fabio were two Brazillian fullbacks that had taken the under 17 world cup by storm. Despite being rated as the worst prospect, Rafael would go onto have a fantastic Manchester United career, making 150 appearances for the club. Injuries to senior figures Neville and Brown would mean that Rafael was thrust into the first team in 2008 and he never looked back. The Old Trafford faithful immediately took a liking to the curly haired full back, and his pace, trickery and hard hitting nature made him a fan favourite. It is a shame that injuries took their toll on the youngster and you get the feeling that if could have stayed injury free he would be further up the list. Still an immensely likeable footballer and he rounds out the 2 points players at position 50.
 
That's it for today. Tomorrow I'll do positions 48. I'll be able to go into more detail from now on probably, we have over 100 million pounds worth of players taking up two positions tomorrow.
 
Sad that Brown isn't on the list :(

Pallister being so low is a bit of a surprise - as is BFS being in anyones top 10 list.
 
Surprised Wes didn't make the list considering some of the names that have appeared. He was a force on that right hand side in the 07/08 season with Ronaldo, and had some immense performances at CB over the years, that one in the semi final against Barcelona springs to mind. Also a youth product.
 
48. Di Maria 48. Mata
Joint 48th
(Two Players)
Three Points each.

48. Angel Di Maria
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Premier League Appearances - 20 (7)
Overall Appearances - 28 (4)
Premier League Goals - 3
Overall Goals - 4
Position - Left Wing (?)


It's only natural to assume that Manchester United's record transfer would be on the list, but it might be a surprise to find him so far down with only one person putting him on their list. It is safe to say that Angel Di Maria's transfer to Manchester United did not pan out the way the fans hoped. Arriving fresh from a Champions League win and with a growing reputation Angel Di Maria looked to be one of the best players in the world. His pace, trickery and eye for a pass meant that Old Trafford was ecstatic to see him. It started off fantastically as well, a goal and assist in his first full match and he followed it up with a world class goal v Leicester. As the season progressed his glimpses of the sublime seemed to get all the more rare and he was sold after his first full season at the club. Accusations rung out that he had not been utilised correctly while others seemed to think he was too lethargic and not giving it his all. Nevertheless it is a shame to say that it did not work out for ADM at Manchester United.

48. Juan Mata
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Premier League Appearances - 68 (10)
Overall Appearances - 83 (12)
Premier League Goals - 20
Overall Goals - 24
Position - Attacking Midfielder

Joining Angel Di Maria in 48th place is Manchester United's second biggest transfer of all time, Juan Mata. Juan arrived in January 2014 to sign for David Moyes. While the manager wouldn't last much longer, Mata has been an ever present part of Manchester United since then, wowing Manchester United fans with his touch and creativity. Always a goal threat, Juan Mata's Spanish technique and beautiful facial structure makes him a favourite with Manchester United fans world wide. It's a shame we haven't seen Juan Mata in a truly great Manchester United side, where he may be able to weave his magic more potently, but during a relatively barren spell for the club, he has still been able to contribute enough to make his mark on this list.
 
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Well I'm enjoying it mate, nearly spat my tea out on my toast when I saw Angel, nice work though mate we are getting they're slowly but surely.

In at no.49, the French maestro : William Prunier..... mind blown

Yeah I'm taking my time with it, I figure it makes it feel more important :smirk:
 
Wait, it was favourite, not best or greatest? Or am I thinking about a different thread? Would've voted different then :(
 
Great job presenting the list so far!
 
Fantastic thread!

In the spirit of contributing without intending to criticize, I'd have put Rafael higher up on the list. He's one of my "favorite" (not greatest) United players in recent years for all the obvious reasons. Of all the recent exiles, I miss Rafael and Hernandez the most. By far.
 
I don't think it's criticising at all mate, I didn't order the players, people just voted for them. I'd personally have Rafael higher as well, that moment with Tevez will live long in the memory. Really wish we still had him.
 
good work @Twigginater

some random choices and everyone will have their own reasons, but I still cant believe anyone chose Di Maria :confused::wenger:

I had a vague memory of there being something like this in the past and managed to dig it out, was a bit different as it was only Fergie players: https://www.redcafe.net/threads/greatest-ever-player-under-sir-alex-results.257746/

Can't remember that at all! Wonder if I ever voted in it.

Three people coming up today, all got four points, all starting with the same letter.
 
45. Saha 45. Strachan 45. Sharpe
Joint 45th
(Three players)
Four points each.

45. Louis Saha
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Premier League Appearances - 52 (34)
Overall Appearances - 76 (48)
Premier League Goals - 28
Overall Goals - 42
Position - Striker


In my head Louis Saha is one of the most disappointing players to appear on this list. From how I remember the Frenchman, whenever he played he was fantastic, but those appearances didn't come frequently enough. Signed in 2004 from Fulham, Saha played for Manchester United for five seasons and in that time won two Premier Leagues and a Champions League medal. Saha was fast, tricky and had a lethal shot and when he played, United would often play a more entertaining level of football. Indeed, in an interview a few years ago, United striker Wayne Rooney said he was his favourite player to play with in his time at the club. High praise when Ronaldo and Van Persie have lined up with the English striker. I'll finish off with Rooney's description of Saha's playing style. "He was a fantastic player, a real handful for anyone and I just really enjoyed playing off him. 'He was so lively, a real striker who made great runs in behind and who was always making space for others."

45. Gordon Strachan
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First Division Appearances - 155 (5)
Overall Appearances - 195 (6)
First Division Goals - 33
Overall Goals - 38
Position - Right Midfield

Gordon Strachan arrived at Manchester United in 1984 for half a million pounds. He was an immediate success at United, scoring 19 goals in his first season at the club and helping United win the 84/85 FA Cup Final. Gordon Strachan was an aggressive yet skilful right sided midfield player who played at Old Trafford for five years, before being shipped out by Alex Ferguson in 1989. Despite never winning a title at the club, he was instrumental in the second place finish in 1988. However it seems his lack of trophies didn't stop the Scottish man from securing a place on this list.

45. Lee Sharpe
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Premier League Appearances - 160 (33)
Overall Appearances - 213 (50)
Premier League Goals - 21
Overall Goals - 36
Position - Left Midfielder


Lee Sharpe played at Manchester United for eight years after making his debut at just 17 years old. One of the original poster boys of the Premier League, Sharpe was a fantastic talent that would often provide spark to the early premier league seasons. His elaborate goal celebrations and skills on the ball made him a firm favourite across the country. Unfortunately, much like Louis Saha there is a sense of regret about his time at the club. He suffered with meningitis while playing for Manchester United and when he returned Ryan Giggs and David Beckham were playing on the wings. Injuries curtailed what could have been a legendary career at the club.
 
What a player Sharpe was. His performance against Villa in '94 and that goal against Barcelona



There's a new main forum thread about most entertaining matches..... I posted three, this one first. I still remember it even now.... 22 decent players, 2 very good team and 90 minutes of attack plus the Sharpe Shake :wenger:

It's funny that he was probably ahead of Giggs in the pecking order? Bit of "behaviours" and unlucky with meningitis or could have been a legend.... still like him though :cool:
 
There's a new main forum thread about most entertaining matches..... I posted three, this one first. I still remember it even now.... 22 decent players, 2 very good team and 90 minutes of attack plus the Sharpe Shake :wenger:

It's funny that he was probably ahead of Giggs in the pecking order? Bit of "behaviours" and unlucky with meningitis or could have been a legend.... still like him though :cool:
Great stuff, I haven't seen those highlights in years.
I must dust off that season review video
 
44. Yorke
44th
Five Points.

44. Dwight Yorke

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Premier League Appearances - 80 (16)
Overall Appearances - 120 (32)
Premier League Goals - 48
Overall Goals - 66
Position - Striker

Just one today, but it's a footballer who always played with a smile on his face and has brought plenty of joy to Manchester United fans. Dwight signed for Manchester United at the start of the legendary 1998/1999 season and would spend four years in total at the club. Yorke joined from fellow premier league team Aston Villa, upsetting their fans with his behaviour as he pushed through a move to Manchester United. However, Yorke explained his actions in a press conference with his new club, stating "I hope I can win some silverware at United." He had no idea what was to come.

The treble winning season will go down as the best in our club's illustrious history and Yorke was a massive contributor that season, becoming our top scorer in the league as well as scoring important goals in the quarter and semi finals against Inter Milan and Juventus respectively. He would also be the top scorer in the premier league the next season scoring an impressive 20 league goals as United retained the Premier League title. His partnership with fellow striker Andy Cole was fantastic and both contributed massively to some amazing football.

In the 2000/2001 season Yorke found himself behind RVN in what was thought to be Ferguson's last year at the club. Ferguson had become irate at Yorke's "playboy" behaviour, and it came to a head as Yorke turned up a day late for preseason after going out for a "wild night" in his Trinidad and Tobago. His time in the first team dwindled and at the start of the 2002/2003 season he moved on to Blackburn to eventually reunite with Cole. It's a shame his lifestyle ended his United career prematurely.
 
Joint 42nd.
(Two Players)

Six Points each.


42. Davide Petrucci

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Premier League Appearances - 0
Overall Appearances - 0
Premier League Goals - 0
Overall Goals - 0
Position - Centre Midfield


I didn't know whether to include Davide Petrucci on my list. He never made an appearance for the club. He quite clearly didn't deserve to be here, but the rest of the persons list was rather by the numbers.

In the end I left him on, purely because while Petrucci himself clearly doesn't deserve to be here, the fact that someone like him is remembered is testament to the fact that our club has such a thriving youth team. We have all had players from the youth we have gone to bat for. I am known for liking Danny Welbeck. Players like Possebon, Rossi, Chadwick, Morrison, Macheda and Ebanks Blake have all had massive followings from the club before they've even made a first team appearance. Players like Petrucci stick with us more because we want to see our club nurture and bring through these talents.

Currently it looks like Danny Simpson and Drinkwater will win the league with Leicester this year. Players like Shawcross, Welbeck, Cleverley, O'Shea, Brown, Eagles and Heaton are currently playing football at a really high level, never mind players like Pique or Pogba who were here for such a fleeting moment but progressed to massive heights. Petrucci isn't on here because he deserves to be, but because he represents something more, a young talent who we hope goes onto much more. Currently Rashford, Borthwick Jackson and Lingard are these hopes, only the future will know what their career holds.

 
42. Alan Smith
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Premier League Appearances - 43 (18)
Overall Appearances - 61 (32)
Premier League Goals - 7
Overall Goals - 12
Position - Centre Midfield/Striker

Not many players on this list have once promised to never sign for Manchester United. But then again not many players were like Alan Smith. Smith was signed from newly relegated Leeds in 2004 after previously being quoted in the press insulting the club. Smith signed for the club as a striker, but Alex Ferguson wanted to mould Smith into the next Roy Keane. Smith himself was blessed with high stamina and a work-rate that most managers dream of, but it's safe to say he wasn't as talented as some of the other central midfielders in this list.

However what endeared Smith to the Manchester United faithful was his constant hard work and tough tackling style. A style epitomised in the 2006 FA Cup match against Liverpool in which he suffered one of the worst injuries seen at our club charging down a free kick. Despite never really establishing himself back in the first team squad after missing eight months, Smith still received a Premier League medal the year afterwards, justifying his decision to move from Leeds.

After three years and almost 100 appearances Smith moved to Newcastle United in 2007, however injuries meant that Smith never really had the career that he seemed destined to have when he was a youngster at Leeds.

 
ffs i thought we are voting for the best players and not for the favorite ones....i fecked up my list :(