The Top 25 Manchester United Players Throughout its History: Who will come in at number 1?

Welcome to our list of the top 25 football players who have ever played for Manchester United! This storied club has had many talented players pass through its ranks over the years, and it was not easy to narrow down the list to just 25. However, we have done our best to select the players who have made the greatest impact on the club and have left a lasting legacy. In this list, you will find some of the most iconic names in the history of Manchester United, as well as some lesser-known but equally talented players. We hope you enjoy reading about these amazing athletes and their contributions to the club.

  1. George Best – Best is widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He played for Manchester United from 1963 to 1974, and was known for his dribbling skills and scoring ability. He won the European Cup with the team in 1968 and was named European Footballer of the Year that same year.
  2. Bobby Charlton – Charlton is another Manchester United legend, having played for the team from 1956 to 1973. He was a key member of the United team that won the European Cup in 1968, and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1966. Charlton scored a total of 249 goals for United, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer.
  3. Eric Cantona – Cantona played for Manchester United from 1992 to 1997, and was known for his creativity on the pitch and his leadership skills. He helped lead the team to four Premier League titles and two FA Cup victories during his time at the club.
  4. Cristiano Ronaldo – Ronaldo played for Manchester United from 2003 to 2009, and quickly established himself as one of the best players in the world. He won three Premier League titles and one Champions League title with the team, and was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008.
  5. Ryan Giggs – Giggs played for Manchester United from 1990 to 2014, and is the most decorated player in the history of English football. He won a total of 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles with the team, and is the club’s all-time record appearance holder.
  6. Roy Keane – Keane played for Manchester United from 1993 to 2005, and was known for his tough tackling and leadership skills. He was the team’s captain for many years and helped lead them to numerous titles, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
  7. Denis Law – Law played for Manchester United from 1962 to 1973, and is considered one of the greatest forwards in the history of the club. He scored a total of 237 goals for United, and won the European Cup with the team in 1968.
  8. Paul Scholes – Scholes played for Manchester United from 1993 to 2013, and was known for his passing ability and goalscoring prowess. He won a total of 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles with the team.
  9. Peter Schmeichel – Schmeichel played for Manchester United from 1991 to 1999, and is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. He was a key member of the United team that won the Treble (Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League) in 1999.
  10. Wayne Rooney – Rooney played for Manchester United from 2004 to 2017, and is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. He won five Premier League titles and one Champions League title with the team.
  11. Rio Ferdinand – Ferdinand played for Manchester United from 2002 to 2014, and was known for his defensive skills and leadership. He won six Premier League titles and one Champions League title with the team.
  12. Nemanja Vidic – Vidic played for Manchester United from 2006 to 2014, and was a key member of the team’s defense. He won five Premier League titles and one Champions League title with the team.
  13. Edwin van der Sar – Van der Sar played for Manchester United from 2005 to 2011, and is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the club. He won four Premier League titles and one Champions League title with the team.
  14. Gary Neville – Neville played for Manchester United from 1992 to 2011, and was known for his defensive skills and leadership. He won eight Premier League titles and two Champions League titles with the team.
  15. Andrew Cole – Cole played for Manchester United from 1995 to 2001, and is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of the club. He won five Premier League titles and one Champions League title with the team.
  16. Bryan Robson – Robson played for Manchester United from 1981 to 1994, and was known for his tenacity and leadership skills. He was the team’s captain for many years and helped lead them to three Premier League titles and two FA Cup victories.
  17. Mark Hughes – Hughes played for Manchester United from 1983 to 1986 and again from 1988 to 1995. He was a prolific goalscorer and won two Premier League titles and three FA Cup titles with the team.
  18. Steve Bruce – Bruce played for Manchester United from 1987 to 1996, and was a key member of the defense. He won three Premier League titles and three FA Cup titles with the team.
  19. David Beckham – Beckham played for Manchester United from 1992 to 2003, and is one of the most iconic players in the history of the club. He won six Premier League titles and two FA Cup titles with the team, and is known for his skill and flair on the pitch.
  20. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – Solskjaer played for Manchester United from 1996 to 2007, and is known for his goalscoring ability. He won six Premier League titles and two FA Cup titles with the team, and scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final.
  21. Jaap Stam – Stam played for Manchester United from 1998 to 2001, and was known for his defensive skills and leadership. He won three Premier League titles and the Champions League with the team, and was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998.
  22. Dwight Yorke – Yorke played for Manchester United from 1998 to 2002, and was a key member of the team’s attack. He won three Premier League titles and the Champions League with the team, and was named the Premier League Player of the Season in 1998-1999.
  23. Paul Ince – Ince played for Manchester United from 1989 to 1995, and was known for his tenacity and leadership skills. He won two Premier League titles and two FA Cup titles with the team.
  24. Patrice Evra – Evra played for Manchester United from 2006 to 2014, and was a key member of the defense. He won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with the team, and was named to the Premier League Team of the Season on three occasions.
  25. Park Ji-sung – Park played for Manchester United from 2005 to 2012, and was known for his tireless work ethic and versatility. He won four Premier League titles and the Champions League with the team, and was a key contributor to the team’s success.

We hope you have enjoyed reading about these top 25 football players who have played for Manchester United. It is clear that this club has a rich history of talent, and it has been a pleasure to highlight some of the standout players from throughout the years. From George Best and Bobby Charlton to Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, these players have all left their mark on the club and will always be remembered as Manchester United legends. Thank you for reading and we hope you have gained a greater appreciation for the talent that has passed through this great club.

Gábor Tompos
Gábor Tompos

Meet Gabor Tompos, a passionate football fan and expert on all things football. Gabor has been following the game for over 20 years and has developed a deep understanding of the strategies, players, and teams that make up the beautiful game.

In addition to being a football fanatic, Gabor is also an accomplished writer and journalist. He has written for several sports blogs.

When he's not writing about football, Gabor can often be found watching games, reading up on the latest football news, and analyzing the performance of his favourite teams. He is known for his thoughtful analysis and knows all about football equipment, and has developed a reputation within his own community as a straight-talking, football-fanatic writer who knows his stuff!

Gabor is also an avid social media user, and can often be found sharing his thoughts and opinions on the latest football happenings on Twitter, Reddit and Facebook. His followers know him for his engaging writing style and his deep knowledge of the game, and turn to him for the latest updates and analysis on all things football.

In his work for our football blog, Gabor brings his expertise and enthusiasm in every aspect of what he does, providing readers with the latest news and analysis from the world of football. Whether it's breaking down a big game or offering insights into the latest transfer rumors, Gabor is always ready to share his thoughts and provide valuable insights for our readers.

Articles: 47