Top 10 Best Manchester United Players

Who are the 10 best Manchester United players of all time?
The Top Ten
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Juventus and captains the Portugal national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Italian club Juventus and the Portugal national team. I am putting Ronaldo at the top because of his all-round ability and blistering pace, the same reasons he is superior to Lionel Messi. No player has ever had the ball skills of CR7, and he creates goals for other players while still being able to score in open play with both feet and his head (has Messi got a head?). And his free kicks defy description. Let's not forget the hatfuls of goals he's scored as a midfielder!

I am putting Ronaldo at the top because of his all-round ability and blistering pace, the same reason he is superior to Lionel Messi. No player has ever had the ball skills of CR7, and he creates goals for other players while still being able to score in open play with both feet and his head (has Messi got a head?). And his free kicks defy description. Let's not forget the hatfuls of goals he's gotten as a midfielder!

I'm a bit surprised that Cantona isn't on the list - he'd be in my top 5 along with Charlton, Robson, and Giggs. The best goalkeeper is Schmeichel, who just shades Van der Sar. I have to list them separately - it's too difficult to try and make comparisons between keepers and open field players.

I've been a United supporter since I was 13 (1966), so I can only judge players that I've seen on a regular basis since then. Do I hear a lot of wailing that Best isn't in my top 5? Yes - he was a great player, but he could be lazy and go missing for large parts of games when everything wasn't going United's way (a la Maradona). And he wouldn't be able to get the ball off my granny! This was the single biggest improvement in CR7's game when under Sir Alex - a willingness to be all over the field and to track back instead of just being a dribbling machine as he was when he arrived at Old Trafford. The loss of Ronaldo was the single biggest factor that led to the break in United's run of titles - the year he left they lost the title by just 1 point but would have won easily if he'd been there to finish some of the chances that went begging that season. And now they'd be on track for an incredible 6 titles in a row in the world's hardest football league. So - I've had my "Ronaldo rave" and I'm sure it's stirred up the "Best brigade". And loving it!

P.S. Get Ronaldo back to Old Trafford where he belongs Sir Alex. He's wasting his time at Real Madrid (just like Beckham did - 1 major trophy in 6 years) and if they won't sell him then I suggest... more

2 Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English professional footballer who plays for and captains both Manchester United and the England national team.

A great player who United still have great things to expect from. From the age of 16, he has shown the world that he is a world-class footballer. He is the complete player. He can pass, shoot, head, he's quick and strong, and can play in midfield as well (centre or wing). Still got so many records to beat.

As with Ronaldo, he's a bit high on this list. His goal scoring is the stuff of legend, as is his United career. I actually have Rooney at 5 and Ronaldo at 8. Of course, Ronaldo could have gone on to be much higher. Rooney's Red Devil record makes him worthy of a top 5.

Rooney! Rooney! The one who has been unbeaten by Messi and CR7, the White Pele will again be alive for the Red Devils and would make them win every street. A cheer for White Pele, or Bickyler, or Wayne Mark Rooney. Go Rooney, go and make Man United alive again, go.

3 Ryan Giggs Ryan Joseph Giggs is a Welsh football coach and former player who is currently the assistant manager at Manchester United and co-owner of Salford City.

Giggs has been able to influence every game that he has played since he started playing for Manchester United in 1992 at the age of fourteen. He controls the midfield and rips defenses apart with his passes and runs. Giggs has won a total of 13 Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson. This man is a true legend.

Giggs is winning his 12th silverware in the Premier League, under one manager and at a club. He is a true, complete legend, number 1. You can't tell when he is on form or out of form. Man United still need him. Come next season, he will play the same football.

Giggs is beyond comparison, whether he is ranked #1 in the list or not. His dedication to Man U is unparalleled. He is the best example for people switching their careers, whether in sports or jobs.

4 Bobby Charlton Sir Robert "Bobby" Charlton is an English football player, regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He was an essential member of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966, the same year he also won the Ballon d'Or.

Charlton being 8th just shows how inaccurate these lists are. Come on, he's the all-time leading goal scorer for club and country, as well as the player with the most appearances. How can Rooney or Keane be placed higher? It's just wrong. They're great players, but they're not on the level Charlton was. Charlton was one of a handful of Englishmen to lift the World Cup. I'm sorry, but this guy should be top 5 of all time, not 8th in Manchester United's list. He's a real legend, respected by every fellow professional.

Charlton has to be the greatest Manchester United player of all time. He scored the most goals ever by a United player and was crucial in establishing United as a superpower in the '60s. He was a perfect attacking midfielder: strong, could dribble, and had a powerful finishing ability. By far the best.

Number 2 who could actually be number 1. What can you say about him that hasn't been said already? Quite possibly the most complete footballer the world has ever seen. You can't have a Man United Mount Rushmore without Sir Bobby Charlton on it, front and center. He is Man United.

5 George Best George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger, spending most of his club career at Manchester United. A highly skillful dribbler, Best is regarded as one of the best players in the history of the sport. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968 and came sixth in the FIFA Player of the Century vote. Best received plaudits... read more

Best was the best without a doubt. Rooney is not even in the race. Giggs is good, but not great, and Ronaldo, well, he is a contender but he will never outshine George Best. When it comes to the greatest of all time, there is only one name. George, you were the greatest then, the greatest now, and the greatest for all time!

The fact that George Best isn't number one shows how little people nowadays respect history, only focusing on how many cups/leagues they've won. The majority of United fans probably couldn't name me five people who died in Munich, or maybe even 15 players from the 1999 treble.

Anyone that understands football knows he was one of the greatest players ever. Ronaldo is closing fast and will possibly overtake him, but not yet. I haven't seen the full list yet, but young Duncan Edwards must be close?

6 Eric Cantona

As a French person, I give my opinion: Cantona was not an exceptional player. Besides, he was not selected for France when France won in the World Cup. He has never been decisive when United played in the league championship. But his selfishness mixed with his love for Manchester United helped the club begin its ascent to the top.

In the France team and all clubs where he played in France, he was not appreciated. The English league suited him better. For me, the best player of all time at Manchester United is Ryan Giggs.

Cantona is top 5 for me. His quality was out of this world. His work ethic and determination were unmatched. The sheer grit made him a United legend, but his skill and performances solidified that.

Cantona, you are an amazing footballer, the best of all time. You kicked a lot of people, and now in 2016, I watch videos laughing about you kicking them.

7 David Beckham David Robert Joseph Beckham is (born 2 May 1975) is an English former professional footballer, the current president & co-owner of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City.. He played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, Milan, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain and the England national team, for which he held the appearance record for an outfield player until 2016. He is the first... read more

Insanely underrated, really. His fame outside football and his love of his image tended to cast a veil over just how outstanding he was. The original Ronaldo said he could have played for Brazil. He was that good. A real golden talent. Snapped up by the best team in the world, Real Madrid, and a central part of their success in the early 2000s. I always recall how his stats on Football Manager 2006 were excellent, especially in the Mental attributes, meaning he was an incredibly intelligent footballer. Watch some of his crosses for Madrid, and you'll see this justified.

Beckham is a bit high here, but I've seen him way too low on most lists. If he'd stuck around a few more years, without a doubt he would be at least here. But he's at 10 or just outside the top 10 for me. But my word, was he a naturally gifted player.

Ronaldo sold out, Becks was sold out, a case of the boss putting his personal feelings above the club. Becks would have served United with glee until retiring if it wasn't for Fergie's bad temper, in my humble opinion.

8 Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs have made their marks in Manchester United history. It's a shame to see Scholes relatively low on this list, considering all he's done for the club. This is the only reason I'm picking him over Giggsy or Cantona. His rockets for shots, pinpoint passing, and eye for chance creation make him one of a kind.

He's won the hearts of millions of fans and numerous of the game's greatest players and managers. Sir Alex, Beckham, Pelé, Zidane, Guardiola, Messi, and Ronaldinho are but a few names of icons who have paid their tributes to this great veteran.

He deserves to be in the top 5 without a doubt, and he would be if not for all the fake fans, or young kids who have never seen him in his prime. How Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, and Bryan Robson ended up below Antonio Valencia, I do not know!

Um... Well, Scholes was the only player (I think alongside Keane) on Football Manager 2006 to have all his stats 10/20 or above, meaning that basically, he was the perfect all-round player with no real weaknesses. By that point, he was already well into his 30s. Then there are all those quotes from superstars like Zidane and Henry who claim that Scholes is more or less the most wonderful player they've ever seen (check out Internet quotes about Scholes, you'll be shocked). Then there's that quote from one of the United players who said, "Everyone at this Club knows Scholes is the best player here." Ferguson said that there's only one Paul Scholes and no one in the world can play like him.

So for those reasons, Scholes has always been tops for me.

9 Robin van Persie Robin van Persie is a Dutch coach and former professional footballer who played as a striker. Regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, he is the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands men's national team. He is currently an assistant manager at boyhood club Feyenoord in his first managerial role.

RVP is a fantastic player. The way he scores, his ability to run past dreaded defenders, and the way he has been creating crosses. The stuff was all there when he was at Arsenal too. But Manchester United gave him much more leeway for his talent to be displayed. A player with great class. Hope this season United regain their former glory!

RvP, The Flying Dutchman, is an exceptional player and quite frankly one of the most entertaining to watch. I'm so glad we snagged him from Arsenal!

Van Persie and Van Nistelrooy are the greatest strikers that have ever played for Manchester United!

10 Peter Schmeichel Peter Bolesław Schmeichel (18 November 1963) is a Danish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993. He is best remembered for his most successful years at English club Manchester United, whom he captained to the 1999 UEFA Champions League to complete the Treble, and for winning UEFA Euro 1992 with Denmark.

The best goalkeeper in history, and along with Van der Sar, the standard by which every other Manchester United goalie will be measured.

Not even a missile could get past him! If Messi faced Schmeichel today, he would look like an amateur striker. Simply the best keeper ever!

Simply the best goalkeeper ever in football, immense!

The Contenders
11 David de Gea David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Spain national team.

Easily top 10. He is quite clearly one of the very few players who cares for the club and has been player of the season more times than any other United player.

Maybe it's a bit too soon for this spot, but if he stays with United for another 5 to 8 seasons, he has the potential to be the best ever.

This guy is unnatural when it comes to reaction speed. Not only that, he defies gravity if he has to. He could play for any team out there.

12 Ruud van Nistelrooy

The best finisher of the game. Fans are still missing his magic touch in the box. No arrogance, but still the best.

An absolute world-beater with United. He would lead my line in an all-time United 11.

He is a very great footballer and one of the best, actually, and I really miss him. I don't have much to say, but he's the best footballer I have ever seen.

13 Roy Keane Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish football assistant manager and former professional football player. He is the joint-most successful Irish footballer of all time, having won 19 major trophies, 17 of which came at Manchester United, in his club career.

Most have him in the top 10, and rightfully so. He was one hell of a leader and really had the ability to control any match. He was hard-nosed and worked his tail off every match. He had a fear factor about him. Other clubs were always aware of where Roy was on the pitch. A brilliant player and as tough as they come.

A leader of men who forced the best out of the players around him. Even if Keane wasn't having the best match, he demanded the best of everyone else and pushed them to their limits.

Arguably our best captain ever. Disappointing how it all ended, but Keane was everything you want in a captain, and boy, would he make sure his team gave everything!

14 Dennis Law

European Footballer of the Year 1964, known as The King. If you had to pick a player to score a goal to save your life, it would be Denis Law.

14th? It's hard not to put him in the top 5, let alone the top 10. He was the goal machine of his time and such a pure finisher.

My greatest Man U player of all time. You only had to ask George Best, Bobby Charlton, and Sir Alex Ferguson. In terms of goals per game, he was matchless and more exciting to watch than all the rest.

15 Nemanja Vidić

Probably not the best we've ever had, but by far the most enjoyable defender to watch. He loved defending and loved a tackle. My favorite defender of all time!

16 Zlatan Ibrahimović Zlatan Ibrahimović (3 October 1981) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays for an Italian club AC Milan and the Sweden national team for which he is captain.

Zlatan doesn't need to score. The ball scores itself.
Zlatan doesn't need oxygen. Oxygen needs Zlatan.
Zlatan taught a kid how to run. Now that kid's name is Usain Bolt.
Zlatan doesn't need football. Football needs him.
Zlatan isn't God. God is Zlatan.
Zlatan once believed a guy in the past was nice. Now that kid's name is Jesus.

What a player he is. The way he carries Manchester United is incredible. Him and Paul Pogba have a deadly combination. He will surpass Van Persie's record of 30 goals in a season. Yes, he misses chances, but at 35, the number of goals he has scored is brilliant. He won the EFL Cup with an amazing free kick and scored in injury time. He is exactly like Eric Cantona.

Zlatan is my favorite player in the world. He probably scored the best goal ever with that bicycle kick.

17 Ole Gunnar Solskjær

A dream to have him play as a centre-forward. If only that was now, so we could actually have a chance at the title.

18 Edwin van der Sar

He is one of the best goalkeepers for Manchester United. He should be close to the top.

He set a record at Manchester United and will remain in Manchester's history. A true Guru.

He remained excellent throughout his entire career.

19 Gerard Piqué Gerard Piqué Bernabéu is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team.
20 Rio Ferdinand Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English former professional footballer who played as a center back, and current television pundit for BT Sport.

One of the best defenders to have played at the club. His partnership with Vidic was amazing.

21 Adnan Januzaj
22 Antonio Valencia

Every time he is on the pitch, he does a great job. He's fast, strong, and smart.

Fastest player in the world in 2013, according to a FIFA study. Google it.

Some right back. Gets a lot of assists.

23 Angel Di Maria

Angel Dí Maria had 4 goals and 7 assists in his first and last year in Manchester United with new players and a new coach. And they let him go because he had a bad season?!? Bull! I think he did exceptional well for someone who played with people who he just started playing with and a new coach whom had new strategies and different expectations for every new player he got whom all did poorly because LVG can not manage an all-star team!

What? Di maria is a fine player, but his year at old Trafford was a waste for everyone including him.

He's quick
He's a scorer
He's a champion...
What isn't he!

24 Duncan Edwards

A powerhouse who could really play in any position. His career was tragically cut short after dying from injuries sustained in the Munich Air Crash. Duncan is a legend at United.

He would easily be top if fate had allowed him to reach his potential. There is a reason everybody who watched him play speaks so highly of him.

The greatest player the world hardly saw. Awesome skills and an England international. Much better than Best or Cantona if he had lived.

25 Carlos Tevez Carlos Alberto Martínez Tevez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Shanghai Shenhua and the Argentina national team.

Carlos tevez is a really good player he should for Manchester united again

8Load More
PSearch List