Love this thread. Quality
Redcafe's favourite Manchester United players.
- Thread starter Wumminator
- Start date
18. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
113 Points.
Premier League Appearances - 151 (84)
Overall Appearances - 216 (150)
Premier League Goals - 91
Overall Goals - 126
Position - Striker
"When Teddy scored, I thought, yes! I'm going to play 40 minutes of a Champions League Final. That's going to be unbelievable." - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 1999. He had replaced Andy Cole in the 81st minute of the game. We all know what happened next.
There's not many more iconic moments at our great football club. In probably the biggest game ever, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cemented himself as a Manchester United legend for decades to come. To this day mention the words "And Solskjaer has won it!" to a Manchester United fan and their eyes will gaze over as they think back to the miracle in Barcelona, where Ole sent United fans into rapture.
He joined Manchester United three years earlier, having arrived a relatively unknown player from Norwegian club Molde for 1.5 million. He made his debut against Blackburn in August. He come off the bench (he often would), he scored (he often would) within six minutes. Old Trafford had just got its first glimpse of the Babyface Assassin.
He would finish his first season with 18 Premier League goals, helping United win a Premier League trophy. Although he never hit 18 Premier League goals again in one season, he had an amazing ability to come on to the pitch and change the game in a moment, his precise finishing and ability to find space would win United countless points over his eleven year stay at the club. Over that time he would pick up six premier league trophies with the Red Devils.
As the 2003/2004 season started Ole Gunnar found himself playing in an unfamiliar right wing position. However, despite the relatively new role, Solskjaer's crossing ability and knack of scoring goals when the club needed it meant Ole was starting to thrive in his new role. That was until an injury against Panathanaikos would kick off a three year long battle against injuries. Ole would suffer fraction cheekbones, broken legs and intensive knee surgery that meant he was never going to be the same player again. Nevertheless, he battled back and scored his first premier league goal in over three years against Charlton in 2006, one of the best Premier League moments of all time.
Ole is still considered a legend at Old Trafford and his recent foray into management may mean we welcome back the great man again at some point in the near future. His goals have brought so much joy to so many Manchester United fans, a true icon in every sense of the word.
20 Legend.
My all time favourite player, my dream team is always called Oles toe poke, when we played that game I was very very ill with gastroenteritis and was throwing up and passing out throughout the match, still bloody enjoyed it though!
Fantastic thread Twigg, must have taken a load of work!
Thanks for all the compliments, another defender up next, gonna try and squeeze him in tonight.
Prunier?
Looking at the players we've already had I'm betting on May, Buttner, Vidic or Rio. Mind you, I'm fearing Johnsen doesn't get a mention.
Yeah, why should our fans vote for a member of the Treble side when they can vote for Anderson or Petrucci?Looking at the players we've already had I'm betting on May, Buttner, Vidic or Rio. Mind you, I'm fearing Johnsen doesn't get a mention.
It's times like these I fear for mankind
15. Nemanja Vidic
15. Nemanja Vidic
141 points
Premier League Appearances - 205 (6)
Overall Appearances - 290 (10)
Premier League Goals - 15
Overall Goals - 21
Position - Centre Defence
Signing from Russian club and costing only 7 million pounds, Nemanja Vidic has to go down as one of the best bargains ever found in football. When his work permit was cleared in January 2006, Old Trafford fans could not have expected the world class defender who arrived. For me his ability in the air and tough tackling nature make him one of the best centre backs in Premier League history.
It didn't always seem like Vidic would be so successful. Upon his arrival at the club Vidic was seen as somewhat as a liability, with his lightweight frame often dominated. Paul Scholes would recount years later how Vidic was seen as easy to knock off the ball. But Vidic's character meant he didn't let that get to him, his dedication and professional nature saw him bulk up. "For the next year, every time I walked past the gym, I would see Nemanja in there lifting weights. He turned himself into a big, strong centre-half who was capable of knocking strikers out of the way." said Scholes after he retired. It was this strength and aerial prowess that made Vidic such a mainstay at the heart of the United defence.
It didn't take long before his improvements were recognised across Europe. In the 2006/2007 season, his first full season at the club, Vidic was voted into the Premier League 11. His partnership with Rio Ferdinand that had begun to flourish would take Manchester United to the Premier League title and he would add four more titles to his collection in subsequent years.
Individually Vidic was voted the Premier League's best player in the 2008/2009 and 2010/2011 season. The fans and players at the club would vote him the best player in the 2008/2009 season and the public voted him into the best Premier League side ever in 2012. It was in the aforementioned 2008/2009 season that Vidic was a mainstay in a defensive line that didn't concede a goal in 14 games.
There's too much to write about the Serbian in this little extract. Safe to say that without Ferguson signing the player in the winter of 2006 we would not have had the massive success in the last decade. Vidic announced his retirement earlier this year and has since been welcomed back into the Manchester United fold. Thank you for everything you did for the club Nemanja.
141 points
Premier League Appearances - 205 (6)
Overall Appearances - 290 (10)
Premier League Goals - 15
Overall Goals - 21
Position - Centre Defence
Signing from Russian club and costing only 7 million pounds, Nemanja Vidic has to go down as one of the best bargains ever found in football. When his work permit was cleared in January 2006, Old Trafford fans could not have expected the world class defender who arrived. For me his ability in the air and tough tackling nature make him one of the best centre backs in Premier League history.
It didn't always seem like Vidic would be so successful. Upon his arrival at the club Vidic was seen as somewhat as a liability, with his lightweight frame often dominated. Paul Scholes would recount years later how Vidic was seen as easy to knock off the ball. But Vidic's character meant he didn't let that get to him, his dedication and professional nature saw him bulk up. "For the next year, every time I walked past the gym, I would see Nemanja in there lifting weights. He turned himself into a big, strong centre-half who was capable of knocking strikers out of the way." said Scholes after he retired. It was this strength and aerial prowess that made Vidic such a mainstay at the heart of the United defence.
It didn't take long before his improvements were recognised across Europe. In the 2006/2007 season, his first full season at the club, Vidic was voted into the Premier League 11. His partnership with Rio Ferdinand that had begun to flourish would take Manchester United to the Premier League title and he would add four more titles to his collection in subsequent years.
Individually Vidic was voted the Premier League's best player in the 2008/2009 and 2010/2011 season. The fans and players at the club would vote him the best player in the 2008/2009 season and the public voted him into the best Premier League side ever in 2012. It was in the aforementioned 2008/2009 season that Vidic was a mainstay in a defensive line that didn't concede a goal in 14 games.
There's too much to write about the Serbian in this little extract. Safe to say that without Ferguson signing the player in the winter of 2006 we would not have had the massive success in the last decade. Vidic announced his retirement earlier this year and has since been welcomed back into the Manchester United fold. Thank you for everything you did for the club Nemanja.
16. Patrice Evra
134 Points
Premier League Appearances - 265 (8)
Overall Appearances - 357 (22)
Premier League Goals - 7
Overall Goals - 10
Position - Left Back
“To play for Manchester United demands huge sacrifices. This is a club of hard workers. You are there to work hard, there are no glass jewels or trinkets here. At United you are carrying the weight of the club’s history. You become a Red Devil when you have fully understood that.”
To play for Manchester United and become a legend you often need a certain type of personality. Speak to any Manchester United fan about Patrice Evra and they'll tell you he simply just "got" being a Manchester United player. His position on this list certainly isn't bad for a player who was hauled off in January 2006 at half time in his debut game against Man City. At the time, United fans wondered who the young French man was after he had signed from Monaco a week earlier. At the end of the 2006 season Patrice Evra had only made 14 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, helping the team win the League Cup with a substitute appearance in the final.
The next season Evra's form would explode and his season would culminate with a spot in the Premier League best 11. He would score in a 7-1 rout over Roma in the Champions League and would help United lift the Premier League trophy at the end of 2007. The next year would be even better for the left back as he would be a mainstay in a Manchester United team that won the league and the Champions League, including playing a full 120 minutes in the Champions League final against Chelsea. While this was to be the highlight of Patrice Evra's stay at the club, he would be a mainstay in defence for the next six seasons.
Overall in his time at Manchester United, Evra's attacking runs mixed with his solid defensive capabilities made him one of the best left backs in the Premier League era. He would win five Premier leagues in total at Old Trafford and would feature in the best Premier League eleven three times in his nine year stay. His passionate temperament saw him draw ire from Scousers, Chelsea groundsmen and at one point seemingly the whole of France during his stay in Manchester but the Frenchman will go down as one of United's favourite players.
Absolutely love the guy. Desperately need more players with his quality and attitude.
Yes! If a player like Januzaj or others had his attitude they could go so far. The way he immersed himself in Manchester United was a joy to behold.
...And not just in a Keano kind of way, he was so friendly and genuine with players less accustomed to the PL and England. Seeing him joking with Ji-Sung Park about girlfriends on a TV interview for example. Just an all round brilliant character.
14. Duncan Edwards
14. Duncan Edwards
152 Points
First Division Appearances - 151
Overall Appearances - 177
First Division Goals - 20
Overall Goals - 21
Position - Everywhere
It is easy to list Duncan Edwards' position as "everywhere" and think of it as a joke. The idea that someone could be so very capable at football as being able to play in every single outfield position is somewhat of a novelty. Nowadays if a player can play across a backline in two positions he is thought of as versatile. Yet versatile doesn't do Duncan Edwards justice, from all accounts he was master of all trades, Jack of none.
It is mad that a player who only played for United till the age of 21 could be so high up on the list. But the story of Duncan Edwards is anything but a typical football story, the England international would only live till his 21st birthday before the torrid events of Munich ended the young man's life. Even before that moment though his reputation had grown so much that Edwards remains one of Manchester's favourite players.
Duncan Edwards captained United to the first ever FA Youth Cup success in 1953. However by that time he'd already appeared in the first team at 16 years and 185 days, making him the youngest ever league player. The next two years saw him establish himself as a regular and by the time he was 18 he was called up for England, becoming the youngest player since the Second World War to represent his country. For five years after his debut Edwards was a regular in a Manchester United squad that won two league titles. Edwards was widely tipped to become England captain before his life was tragically cut short in Munich. Despite surviving the initial crash, Edwards would ultimately succumb to his injuries 15 days later, the hospital staff amazed at the fight and spirit Edwards showed while being treated. Indeed it's said that during his treatment during a spell of sustained lucidity he asked United assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, " "What time is the kick off against Wolves? I mustn't miss that match"
It's hard to put into words how much Edwards means to this football club. I can't do it, so I'm going to ask some of his contemporaries to do it for him. These quotes sum up how highly rated Edwards was. It's a shame we never got to see his career fully blossom, because those that watched him were sure he'd go down as the best player to ever lace up his boots.
Bobby Charlton - “He had strength and character that just spilled out of him on the field. I’m absolutely sure that if his career had had a decent span he would have proved himself the greatest player we had ever seen. Yes, I know the great players – Pelé, Maradona, Best, Law, Greaves and my great favourite Alfredodi Stéfano – but my point was that he was better in every phase of the game. If you asked such players as Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney about Duncan their answers were always the same: they had seen nothing like him.”
Jimmy Murphy's half time team talk in an FA Youth Cup game - "Remember, boys, I said not to give Duncan the ball at every opportunity. Well, forget it. Give him the fecking ball whenever you can." - United won the game
Matt Busby - "Duncan had everything. He was so big, so strong, so confident and still so young. Right from the start we gave up trying to spot flaws in his game. John Charles was another giant of a player, a giant with great, great skill. But as a player, even John didn't have as much as Duncan. He used to move upfield brushing people aside to lash in late goals when we needed them."
Jimmy Murphy - "If I shut my eyes now I can see him; the pants hitched up, the wild leaps of boyish enthusiasm as he came running out of the tunnel, the tremendous power of his tackling, always fair but fearsome, his immense power on the ball. The greatest? There was only one and that was Duncan Edwards."
RIP to one of United's truest legends.
A day of memory,
Sad to recall,
Without farewell,
He left us all. . .
152 Points
First Division Appearances - 151
Overall Appearances - 177
First Division Goals - 20
Overall Goals - 21
Position - Everywhere
It is easy to list Duncan Edwards' position as "everywhere" and think of it as a joke. The idea that someone could be so very capable at football as being able to play in every single outfield position is somewhat of a novelty. Nowadays if a player can play across a backline in two positions he is thought of as versatile. Yet versatile doesn't do Duncan Edwards justice, from all accounts he was master of all trades, Jack of none.
It is mad that a player who only played for United till the age of 21 could be so high up on the list. But the story of Duncan Edwards is anything but a typical football story, the England international would only live till his 21st birthday before the torrid events of Munich ended the young man's life. Even before that moment though his reputation had grown so much that Edwards remains one of Manchester's favourite players.
Duncan Edwards captained United to the first ever FA Youth Cup success in 1953. However by that time he'd already appeared in the first team at 16 years and 185 days, making him the youngest ever league player. The next two years saw him establish himself as a regular and by the time he was 18 he was called up for England, becoming the youngest player since the Second World War to represent his country. For five years after his debut Edwards was a regular in a Manchester United squad that won two league titles. Edwards was widely tipped to become England captain before his life was tragically cut short in Munich. Despite surviving the initial crash, Edwards would ultimately succumb to his injuries 15 days later, the hospital staff amazed at the fight and spirit Edwards showed while being treated. Indeed it's said that during his treatment during a spell of sustained lucidity he asked United assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, " "What time is the kick off against Wolves? I mustn't miss that match"
It's hard to put into words how much Edwards means to this football club. I can't do it, so I'm going to ask some of his contemporaries to do it for him. These quotes sum up how highly rated Edwards was. It's a shame we never got to see his career fully blossom, because those that watched him were sure he'd go down as the best player to ever lace up his boots.
Bobby Charlton - “He had strength and character that just spilled out of him on the field. I’m absolutely sure that if his career had had a decent span he would have proved himself the greatest player we had ever seen. Yes, I know the great players – Pelé, Maradona, Best, Law, Greaves and my great favourite Alfredodi Stéfano – but my point was that he was better in every phase of the game. If you asked such players as Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney about Duncan their answers were always the same: they had seen nothing like him.”
Jimmy Murphy's half time team talk in an FA Youth Cup game - "Remember, boys, I said not to give Duncan the ball at every opportunity. Well, forget it. Give him the fecking ball whenever you can." - United won the game
Matt Busby - "Duncan had everything. He was so big, so strong, so confident and still so young. Right from the start we gave up trying to spot flaws in his game. John Charles was another giant of a player, a giant with great, great skill. But as a player, even John didn't have as much as Duncan. He used to move upfield brushing people aside to lash in late goals when we needed them."
Jimmy Murphy - "If I shut my eyes now I can see him; the pants hitched up, the wild leaps of boyish enthusiasm as he came running out of the tunnel, the tremendous power of his tackling, always fair but fearsome, his immense power on the ball. The greatest? There was only one and that was Duncan Edwards."
RIP to one of United's truest legends.
A day of memory,
Sad to recall,
Without farewell,
He left us all. . .
Some would say it's a shame that Edwards is so low, and while I can agree with their sentiment, I think it speaks volumes about this club's respect for history and it's greats that Edwards scores so high in the list. Our history is so vast and full of incredible stories that 14th is nothing to sniff at and it shows the reverance this club has for it's legends.
13. RVN
13. Ruud Van Nistelrooy
170 points.
Premier League Appearances - 137 (13)
Overall Appearances - 200 (19)
Premier League Goals - 95
Overall Goals - 150
Position - Striker
0.6849. That's how many goals Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored per game in his spell at Old Trafford. That puts him ahead of everyone at the club apart from the great Tommy Taylor. To have a scoring record like that in the modern era shows how clinical Ruud Van Nistelrooy was. He was only at the club for five seasons (and missed a large chunk of one with an injury) but sits 11th on the all time top scorers list for the club with exactly 150 goals. Safe to say strikers don't come much more effective than the Dutchman.
He would be undoubtedly higher up the list, but after a transfer fee was agreed in the summer of 2000, United pulled out of the deal after some doubts emerged over the strikers fitness. A day after the deal was pulled, van Nistelrooy ruptured his knee ligaments and missed about a year of football. Not to be deterred, Sir Alex Ferguson had confidence in the striker's natural ability and signed the player a year later, for a then record fee of 19 million pounds.
He made his debut in the 2001 Charity Shield game against Liverpool. He scored. Of course he did, more often than not you'd put your life on Ruud Van Nistelrooy burying a chance. Only Thierry Henry has a better goals per minutes ratio in the entire of the Premier League history. He made his premier league debut against Fulham on the 19th of August and scored two goals in his first start. In December he had scored his first hat trick for the club in a 6-1 demolition of Southampton. He scored 23 league goals that year, hit ten goals in the Champions League and was voted the Players' Player of the year.
The following season he would win the golden boot and help Manchester United lift the Premier League. He scored 25 goals in 34 games and hit another twelve goals in Europe. These goals in Europe helped him to become Manchester United's top all time European goalscorer, a record he holds to this day. It's a shame that this was to be the only year in which Ruud Van Nistelrooy would lift the Premier League. Following the 1999 Champions League win, Ferguson started to rebuild his squad and part of the reason we remained competitive through this time period was the constant goal threat of Ruud. An FA Cup in the 2003/2004 season was the only other major honour Ruud Van Nistelrooy holds during the five years he spent at United. An FA Cup and a Premier League would be a massive honour for most players, but it remains a shame Ruud wasn't able to lift more trophies in his time at Old Trafford.
When you think of Ruud two things come to mind, his impeccable goalscoring record and the fantastic emotion he showed during his time at the club. His winning penalty that ended the Arsenal unbeaten run was a fantastic moment, his emotion and jubilation etched over his face as he celebrated in front of thousands of ecstatic reds. In today's game, the 19 million pounds Sir Alex Ferguson paid for him in 2001 seems to suggest he was practically a bargain and he will remain a true great at Old Trafford.
170 points.
Premier League Appearances - 137 (13)
Overall Appearances - 200 (19)
Premier League Goals - 95
Overall Goals - 150
Position - Striker
0.6849. That's how many goals Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored per game in his spell at Old Trafford. That puts him ahead of everyone at the club apart from the great Tommy Taylor. To have a scoring record like that in the modern era shows how clinical Ruud Van Nistelrooy was. He was only at the club for five seasons (and missed a large chunk of one with an injury) but sits 11th on the all time top scorers list for the club with exactly 150 goals. Safe to say strikers don't come much more effective than the Dutchman.
He would be undoubtedly higher up the list, but after a transfer fee was agreed in the summer of 2000, United pulled out of the deal after some doubts emerged over the strikers fitness. A day after the deal was pulled, van Nistelrooy ruptured his knee ligaments and missed about a year of football. Not to be deterred, Sir Alex Ferguson had confidence in the striker's natural ability and signed the player a year later, for a then record fee of 19 million pounds.
He made his debut in the 2001 Charity Shield game against Liverpool. He scored. Of course he did, more often than not you'd put your life on Ruud Van Nistelrooy burying a chance. Only Thierry Henry has a better goals per minutes ratio in the entire of the Premier League history. He made his premier league debut against Fulham on the 19th of August and scored two goals in his first start. In December he had scored his first hat trick for the club in a 6-1 demolition of Southampton. He scored 23 league goals that year, hit ten goals in the Champions League and was voted the Players' Player of the year.
The following season he would win the golden boot and help Manchester United lift the Premier League. He scored 25 goals in 34 games and hit another twelve goals in Europe. These goals in Europe helped him to become Manchester United's top all time European goalscorer, a record he holds to this day. It's a shame that this was to be the only year in which Ruud Van Nistelrooy would lift the Premier League. Following the 1999 Champions League win, Ferguson started to rebuild his squad and part of the reason we remained competitive through this time period was the constant goal threat of Ruud. An FA Cup in the 2003/2004 season was the only other major honour Ruud Van Nistelrooy holds during the five years he spent at United. An FA Cup and a Premier League would be a massive honour for most players, but it remains a shame Ruud wasn't able to lift more trophies in his time at Old Trafford.
When you think of Ruud two things come to mind, his impeccable goalscoring record and the fantastic emotion he showed during his time at the club. His winning penalty that ended the Arsenal unbeaten run was a fantastic moment, his emotion and jubilation etched over his face as he celebrated in front of thousands of ecstatic reds. In today's game, the 19 million pounds Sir Alex Ferguson paid for him in 2001 seems to suggest he was practically a bargain and he will remain a true great at Old Trafford.
13. Ruud Van Nistelrooy
170 points.
Premier League Appearances - 137 (13)
Overall Appearances - 200 (19)
Premier League Goals - 95
Overall Goals - 150
Position - Striker
0.6849. That's how many goals Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored per game in his spell at Old Trafford. That puts him ahead of everyone at the club apart from the great Tommy Taylor. To have a scoring record like that in the modern era shows how clinical Ruud Van Nistelrooy was. He was only at the club for five seasons (and missed a large chunk of one with an injury) but sits 11th on the all time top scorers list for the club with exactly 150 goals. Safe to say strikers don't come much more effective than the Dutchman.
He would be undoubtedly higher up the list, but after a transfer fee was agreed in the summer of 2000, United pulled out of the deal after some doubts emerged over the strikers fitness. A day after the deal was pulled, van Nistelrooy ruptured his knee ligaments and missed about a year of football. Not to be deterred, Sir Alex Ferguson had confidence in the striker's natural ability and signed the player a year later, for a then record fee of 19 million pounds.
He made his debut in the 2001 Charity Shield game against Liverpool. He scored. Of course he did, more often than not you'd put your life on Ruud Van Nistelrooy burying a chance. Only Thierry Henry has a better goals per minutes ratio in the entire of the Premier League history. He made his premier league debut against Fulham on the 19th of August and scored two goals in his first start. In December he had scored his first hat trick for the club in a 6-1 demolition of Southampton. He scored 23 league goals that year, hit ten goals in the Champions League and was voted the Players' Player of the year.
The following season he would win the golden boot and help Manchester United lift the Premier League. He scored 25 goals in 34 games and hit another twelve goals in Europe. These goals in Europe helped him to become Manchester United's top all time European goalscorer, a record he holds to this day. It's a shame that this was to be the only year in which Ruud Van Nistelrooy would lift the Premier League. Following the 1999 Champions League win, Ferguson started to rebuild his squad and part of the reason we remained competitive through this time period was the constant goal threat of Ruud. An FA Cup in the 2003/2004 season was the only other major honour Ruud Van Nistelrooy holds during the five years he spent at United. An FA Cup and a Premier League would be a massive honour for most players, but it remains a shame Ruud wasn't able to lift more trophies in his time at Old Trafford.
When you think of Ruud two things come to mind, his impeccable goalscoring record and the fantastic emotion he showed during his time at the club. His winning penalty that ended the Arsenal unbeaten run was a fantastic moment, his emotion and jubilation etched over his face as he celebrated in front of thousands of ecstatic reds. In today's game, the 19 million pounds Sir Alex Ferguson paid for him in 2001 seems to suggest he was practically a bargain and he will remain a true great at Old Trafford.
I demand a recount by combat
! There is no way he doesn't feature in top 10!!!In all fairness, there's no way he can justify being in the top ten I don't think. I actually think he's a little high... I'd have Evra and Vidic from contemporary times ahead of him.
I was expecting only Cantona, Giggs, Scholes, Schmeichel, Holy Trinity above him, and maybe Rio and Becks but no one else
With anything like decent service from midfield Ruud might have done even better here - especially if he had "gelled" better with CR7. As they didn't gel, SAF chose to favour CR7. Ruud was treated badly by SAF towards the end of his time here, imo. He came off the bench a lot only to find that he was replacing a midfielder. He still performed brilliantly despite poor service from midfield. It happened time and time again and still he was scoring crucial goals. Strange too that CR7 ended up going to RM to join him a short time later (although that coincided with Ruud being injured and then moving on to Hamburg).
Well there's nine there and you haven't even mentioned Ronaldo.
In that case, Vidic is easily №1I demand a recount by combat
Stam vs Vidic
Didn't van Nistlerooy request a transfer EVERY summer he was at the club ?
I now instinctively seek out this thread when other threads depress me.
I find it thoroughly therapeutic to write.
I demand a recount by combat
In terms of quality, maybe. But in terms of just flat out favourite - nah. Really, it's a bit of a travesty that he's higher than players like Ole, Vidic and Evra...
12. Denis Law
12. Denis Law
192 Points
First Division Appearances - 305 (4)
Overall Appearances - 398 (6)
First Division Goals - 171
Overall Goals - 237
Position - Striker
Manchester United's third top scorer of all time has entered the list at number 12. Denis Law is the first of Manchester United's "holy trinity" to appear in this list and his career certainly merits such a high standing in the view of the Old Trafford faithful. Law become the first ever player to win the Ballon D'or while at Manchester United and is one of only four players in the clubs history to have won that honour. This only starts to emphasise how great a player Denis Law was.
Law originally signed for Manchester City, but after a year in Italy playing for Torino, the striker returned to the red side of Manchester for a then record signing of £115,000. This would begin an eleven year stint playing for the Red Devils in which the striker would win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and help United to a European Cup in 1968.
Law made his professional debut for the club against West Bromich Albion in 1962. He scored within seven minutes. In his first season at the club he scored 29 goals and helped Manchester United avoid relegation. However, while the club suffered in the league, Law helped United to an FA Cup (the only FA Cup final of his career) scoring the opening goal in the final. The next year he improved on his form and scored an incredible 46 goals in one season, this is still a club record to this day.
In the 1964/65 season Law was instrumental in United winning the first first division title since the Munich air disaster. Law was top scorer in the league that season with an impressive 28 goals scored. This was also the year that George Best began to establish himself in the first eleven and along with Bobby Charlton the three would scintillate football fans across the world. Unfortunately Law was injured in the 1968 season and missed the Champions League semi final and final, and his knee would trouble him for the rest of his career, including an injury that kept him out for most of the 1969/70 season. Without these injuries he probably would have gone on to be United's top all time scorer.
A brilliant player, Law is still thought of highly at Old Trafford despite playing for fierce rivals Manchester City twice. He will go down in history books as a true legend.
192 Points
First Division Appearances - 305 (4)
Overall Appearances - 398 (6)
First Division Goals - 171
Overall Goals - 237
Position - Striker
Manchester United's third top scorer of all time has entered the list at number 12. Denis Law is the first of Manchester United's "holy trinity" to appear in this list and his career certainly merits such a high standing in the view of the Old Trafford faithful. Law become the first ever player to win the Ballon D'or while at Manchester United and is one of only four players in the clubs history to have won that honour. This only starts to emphasise how great a player Denis Law was.
Law originally signed for Manchester City, but after a year in Italy playing for Torino, the striker returned to the red side of Manchester for a then record signing of £115,000. This would begin an eleven year stint playing for the Red Devils in which the striker would win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and help United to a European Cup in 1968.
Law made his professional debut for the club against West Bromich Albion in 1962. He scored within seven minutes. In his first season at the club he scored 29 goals and helped Manchester United avoid relegation. However, while the club suffered in the league, Law helped United to an FA Cup (the only FA Cup final of his career) scoring the opening goal in the final. The next year he improved on his form and scored an incredible 46 goals in one season, this is still a club record to this day.
In the 1964/65 season Law was instrumental in United winning the first first division title since the Munich air disaster. Law was top scorer in the league that season with an impressive 28 goals scored. This was also the year that George Best began to establish himself in the first eleven and along with Bobby Charlton the three would scintillate football fans across the world. Unfortunately Law was injured in the 1968 season and missed the Champions League semi final and final, and his knee would trouble him for the rest of his career, including an injury that kept him out for most of the 1969/70 season. Without these injuries he probably would have gone on to be United's top all time scorer.
A brilliant player, Law is still thought of highly at Old Trafford despite playing for fierce rivals Manchester City twice. He will go down in history books as a true legend.
He deserved at least a top-10 finish. Our best striker ever (and the original King)
11. Rio Ferdinand
11. Rio Ferdinand
206 Points
Premier League Appearances - 305 (7)
Overall Appearances - 444 (11)
Premier League Goals -7
Overall Goals - 8
Position - Centre Defence
On 22nd July 2002 after weeks of intense speculation, Rio Ferdinand signed for Manchester United for a British record £30 million. He became the world's most expensive defender for a second time and became Manchester United's most expensive player, narrowly beating the fee paid for Juan Sebastian Veron.
In his first season at the club, Rio was known for an occasional error, but overall had a positive influence on the team, helping United to a Premier League medal in his first season. He would play 45 times that year and become a mainstay in the heart of United's defence. The next year didn't go so great for Rio, after missing a routine drug test Rio Ferdinand was hit with an eight month ban and miss a large majority of United's season. The next season brought even more controversy, as Rio was seen dining in London twice with Peter Kenyon, then high up at Abromovic's Chelsea. His flirtation with a transfer move and lengthy ban meant quite a bit of the United fanbase were frustrated with him.
However, that was just a blip in what will now go down as a legendary United career. In his twelve years at the club, Ferdinand would play over 450 times for the Red Devils, forging a partnership with Vidic that set records for how little they conceded and eventually he would retire at 18th on Manchester United's top all time appearances.
Rio Ferdinand was absolutely majestic in his prime, his pace and positional awareness mixing fantastically with his eye for a pass and passion on the pitch. United's teams are often known for their swashbuckling attitude, but without a solid base to build upon there is no doubt the United team of the 2000's would have a lot less trophies.
Rio helped United to six premier leagues while he was at the club. He would also lift the Champions League in 2008 and would be voted into the Premier League team of the year an incredible six times. His performances were rewarded with a space in the all time Premier League team in the 2011/2012 season.
It's quite incredible but Rio Ferdinand is the highest defender on the list. Some may find that controversial, but it's fair enough to say that his career at the club was absolutely fantastic and gave United fans an incredible amount of good memories.
206 Points
Premier League Appearances - 305 (7)
Overall Appearances - 444 (11)
Premier League Goals -7
Overall Goals - 8
Position - Centre Defence
On 22nd July 2002 after weeks of intense speculation, Rio Ferdinand signed for Manchester United for a British record £30 million. He became the world's most expensive defender for a second time and became Manchester United's most expensive player, narrowly beating the fee paid for Juan Sebastian Veron.
In his first season at the club, Rio was known for an occasional error, but overall had a positive influence on the team, helping United to a Premier League medal in his first season. He would play 45 times that year and become a mainstay in the heart of United's defence. The next year didn't go so great for Rio, after missing a routine drug test Rio Ferdinand was hit with an eight month ban and miss a large majority of United's season. The next season brought even more controversy, as Rio was seen dining in London twice with Peter Kenyon, then high up at Abromovic's Chelsea. His flirtation with a transfer move and lengthy ban meant quite a bit of the United fanbase were frustrated with him.
However, that was just a blip in what will now go down as a legendary United career. In his twelve years at the club, Ferdinand would play over 450 times for the Red Devils, forging a partnership with Vidic that set records for how little they conceded and eventually he would retire at 18th on Manchester United's top all time appearances.
Rio Ferdinand was absolutely majestic in his prime, his pace and positional awareness mixing fantastically with his eye for a pass and passion on the pitch. United's teams are often known for their swashbuckling attitude, but without a solid base to build upon there is no doubt the United team of the 2000's would have a lot less trophies.
Rio helped United to six premier leagues while he was at the club. He would also lift the Champions League in 2008 and would be voted into the Premier League team of the year an incredible six times. His performances were rewarded with a space in the all time Premier League team in the 2011/2012 season.
It's quite incredible but Rio Ferdinand is the highest defender on the list. Some may find that controversial, but it's fair enough to say that his career at the club was absolutely fantastic and gave United fans an incredible amount of good memories.
Great thread.
Cheers, been a long slog but into the top ten now!
Kudos to @Twigginater for all the effort putting this thread together. Great stuff.
It's been fun mate.
Got a bit busier recently but before that dwindled some time away!
Good to hear you have enjoyed putting it together. Do I have a false memory, or was the original poll you took based on players we had actually seen play?
I left it open to interpretation. Some people took it that way.
I interpreted it as players I had actually seen play so voted accordingly.
Keep up the good work mate, looking forward to seeing who tops the list.
One of the best threads during my time at the Caf
What's so incredible about this? He probably is our best defender ever. And the greatest English centre-back since Moore.
Vidic, Stam and McGrath are not that far behind, but still. Not surprising at all.
And yeah, I said it like 5 times already, but one of the best threads on caf today
I don't know. I think it's because while I love him, I feel like other legends are slightly ahead.
I would probably have Evra above him thinking about it.
Vidic was better imo
Rio for me was the better player and lasted at his United peak longer
(but an incredibly sharp decline)
As a pure defender - yes, probably. As a football player - I don't know. Rio was absolutely magnificent - I remember him not giving away a foul for 27 consecutive games
Genuinely one of the most insane stats that I ever saw. And his peak and his United career was longer, which also contributes to his high finishEdit: it's actually his QPR stats, which is even more insane. I remember that he had some series like that for United too.
Plus, Rio’s Premier League disciplinary record is second to none. In 312 League appearances for the club Rio only received one red card and 20 bookings, committing just 68 fouls in the process.
Of course Vidic was partly responsible for that too - they complimented each other brilliantly, with Vidic being the stopper-enforcer