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Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in world football, and some truly world-class players have played for the club.
Even before the appointment of Sir Alex Ferguson as manager, the club enjoyed the talents of extraordinarily gifted players. Under Ferguson, the club regularly signed foreign players, with many of them becoming legends of United and the Premier League.
Manchester United boast some of the greatest players to have played the game as their legends. We look at the five greatest foreign players to have played for the Red Devils in the Premier League.
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#5 Nemanja Vidic
Manchester United's latest centre-back acquisition, Frenchman Raphael Varane, admitted his admiration for the legendary defensive duo of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in a recent interview.
While Ferdinand was an elegant centre-back, Vidic was renowned for his toughness.
The Serbian joined United in January 2006 for nearly £10 million from Spartak Moscow. He quickly made his name as an aggressive, no-nonsense centre-back who did not shy away from performing risky and dangerous challenges.
Vidic was regarded as one of the best in the world during his prime. The defender, who also captained Manchester United, won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy with the club, and was also named Premier League Player of the Season twice.
#4 Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel is regarded by many as one of the best buys made by Sir Alex Ferguson during his spell as Manchester United boss.
Schmeichel joined Manchester United from Brondby in 1991 for £675,000. In England he blossomed into one of the best goalkeepers in the world, with his athletic saves and imposing personality making him stand out on a consistent basis.
The Denmark international won the treble with Manchester United. Schmeichel later represented clubs like Sporting CP and Aston Villa, and retired in 2003.
His son Kasper is also a Premier League winner, having won the league with Leicester City.
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#3 Roy Keane
Roy Keane's spell as a pundit may have split opinion, but as a player there were few who did not regard him as world-class.
The Republic of Ireland international made his name at Nottingham Forest, and joined Manchester United in 1993 for £7.6 million. Keane was an aggressive midfielder who was technically gifted, with his consistency and hard work standing out on a regular basis.
Keane's career was not controversy-free, and his aggression was not always well received. However, he is a Manchester United legend, and like Schmeichel, played an important role as Manchester United won the treble in 1999.
#2 Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona is one of Manchester United's greatest players ever, a footballer who was pivotal in establishing the club as a force to be reckoned with under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson.
"King Eric", as he has been nicknamed by Manchester United fans, was an iconic player. He joined Manchester United from Leeds United in 1992.
Cantona combined excellent technical skills and goalscoring ability with his commanding personality, and is often credited with bringing a certain amount of charisma to Manchester United.
Like Keane, Cantona's career was not controversy-free. However, he is seen as Manchester United's best-ever acquisition, due to his ability on the field and the swagger he brought to the club.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players to have played the game, and Manchester United fans continue to hope that he returns to the club one day.
Ronaldo joined Manchester United from Sporting CP in 2003 as a youngster with raw talent. At Old Trafford, he became one of the best in the world.
The Portugal international became a focused individual in England, developing himself technically and physically.
At Manchester United, Ronaldo made 292 appearances in all competitions, scoring 118 goals and providing 69 assists.
He won three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy with United, while also winning his first Ballon d'Or with the Red Devils.
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