United's greatest captain ever...

spinoza

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Lots of topics seem to be discussing Becks vs Keano or Robbo vs Keano, but for my money, United's greatest ever captain is Martin Buchan.

He took us up from the 2nd division, where a lesser man would have left the club. That's a captain for you.

Eric and Keano come close seconds of course. Then maybe Robbo. He never wielded the influence over his teammates that Keano or Eric did.

Comments anyone?
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>Robson.

he lead by example.. united and england haven't had a finer captain imo.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Agreed, Robbo would be my choice too. One of england's greatest players, enormously respected by his team mates.
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I agree it has to be Robson. I'm mot old enough to remember any captains pre-robson. i think given time becks has the potential to be one of the great captains but at the moment it's still Robson
 
For me, Eric Le King is pure class. He set the best example for Becks & Co. to excel.

All hail Le King!! <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />
 
Robbo for me Aggresive.scored goals made goals....the guy had the lot, and despite his blood and thunder play the guy only got sent off once.
 
Robson without a doubt. <img src="graemlins/angel.gif" border="0" alt="[Angel]" />
 
Robson is my first thought.

But people who know say Martin Buchan was tremendous.

You can't really vote for the best ever, because no-one will vote for someone they never saw play.

From what I've heard/read, if it came down to it, it might be Buchan.

But Robbo for me.
 
Without doubt, Roger Byrne who, amongst many achievements, captained the youngest side to win the League Championship in 1956 (Does that record still stand?) and of course at the helm of the pioneering team into Europe, during which ventures United received many accolades on the diplomatic front as well. Johnny Carey was also great. In the modern era Robson would be my choice.
 
In the modern era, you cannot really say anyone other than Bryan Robson, despite the fact that I love Keano, Cantona and Martin Buchan.

The indisputable facts are - Robbo was a man who went in where even hard men feared to tread, was a human battering ram as one commentator called him, took punishment from the opposition as a matter of course and yet WAS SENT OFF ONCE in his long career. Unbelievable yet true.

Robbo also mixed more with his fellow Red Devils. It is Keano`s choice that he does not do so much of this as it was Eric`s choice, too, but Robbo chose to foster camaraderie among the team by being more accessible to his team mates.

Although we love them, Keano and Cantona have not only let themselves down by their lack of discipline and inability to cultivate the tough mindset and concentration of Robbo, but have let down their team mates by being sent off and suspended when their team desperately needed them.

It`s got to be Captain Marvel. <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/angel.gif" border="0" alt="[Angel]" /> <img src="graemlins/angel.gif" border="0" alt="[Angel]" />
 
Originally posted by giggsgirl:
<strong>Robbo also mixed more with his fellow Red Devils. It is Keano`s choice that he does not do so much of this as it was Eric`s choice, too, but Robbo chose to foster camaraderie among the team by being more accessible to his team mates.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

Wasn't that the whole root of the problem though? He was best mates with all his teammates but couldn't stop Norman Whiteside from pissing his talent away in a bottle. I loved Norman, but he, like Dwight Yorke, could have been a Old Trafford legend if he had but kept his attitudes right.
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I'm not really old enough to remember Martin Buchan playing, but from my dad's stories, he was the Keano type of captain. Aloof, influential and tough. Almost a manager on the pitch.
 
I saw both Martin Buchan and Bryan Robson play and there is no comparison. Martin Buchan was a great player and loyal servant of the club but Robbo carried us (seemingly) single handed throught the 80's.

Keano is probably a more complete player but he will never be the inspirational leader that Robbo was. Eric was fantastic but his Captaincy was talismanic in nature and Beckham will never be a real leader.

There is only 1 Bryan Robson :D
 
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