Manchester United's top 5 teenage goal scorers of all-time

Manchester United's academy graduates played more top-flight minutes than any of the league's other teams' academies. Players graduating from the United academy played a total of 44,055 minutes, which is twice that of next best.

The Red Devils have a reputation for developing home-grown talent, which was evident from the "Class of '92", which played a huge part in United's domination of domestic football for over a decade.

Manchester United have the habit of developing teenage sensations and are always looking to recruit young players from across the globe.

Here is the list of United's top 5 teenage goal scorers of all time:

---

#5 Federico Macheda and Adnan Januzaj - 4 goals

Januzaj playing against Borussia Dortmund - 2016

It was a dream debut for the 17-year-old Macheda, which still stays fresh in the mind of many United fans. Introduced in a must-win match against Aston Villa in 2009, Macheda scored a 90th-minute winner at Old Trafford to begin his United career.

He was destined for greatness but things did not go well for the Italian. He went on loan to several clubs but all of them were a tragic failure and he was subsequently released by United in 2014.

Meanwhile, after a sparkling opening to the 2013/14 season under David Moyes, the 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj was considered as one of United's most exciting stars. After a good 2013/14, Janujaz struggled during the 14/15 season under Louis Van Gaal.

He succumbed under pressure, failed to capitalize on his potential and ended up on loan to Dortmund and Real Sociedad.

Finally, Jose Mourinho decided that he has not reached his potential and ordered his sale. In what seemed like a promising career, ended up in disappointment for Janujaz.

Both of these young stars scored 4 goals for the Red Devils before they turned 20, and find themselves sharing 5th place on this list.

#4 Cristiano Ronaldo - 8 goals

19-year-old Ronaldo in-action for United

This man needs no introduction now. He started his career with Sporting CP and moved to Manchester United in 2003, aged 18. He started his career as a winger and played in a more advanced role throughout his career. He scored 4 times in his first season at United and 5 in his next.

His major attributes are pace and a more direct style of football. He can dribble past players as if there were none, and is an expert free kick taker. He is strong in the air and a deadly finisher. 2007/08 was his breakthrough season, in which he led United to the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.

He played 292 times for Manchester United scoring 118 goals, winning 3 league and 1 European titles. He was honoured with the Ballon d'Or in 2008. Ronaldo, in his 2 teenage years with the club, scored 8 goals, before he turned 20.

#3 Ryan Giggs - 12 goals

Teenage Giggs in-action for United

He is one of the most decorated players in football history. He made 963 appearances for United, scoring 168 times and has won 34 trophies. He started his first team career in 1990 and went on to represent United for 25 years.

He was predominantly a left winger and could play behind the striker as well. He was a set piece expert and could make a cross better than anyone else in world football. He scored a solitary goal in his first United season, followed it up with 4 in the next and 7 in his 3rd season, before he turned 20.

He has the most assists for any player in Premier League history (162) and second most in Europe (30). He has received almost every possible honour in English football and is the only player to play in 22 successive Premier League seasons.

#2 Marcus Rashford - 12* goals

4 goals to go past Rooney and top the list of all-time United's teenage scorers

A couple of yeas ago, not many even knew his name. Cut to the present, and the 19-year-old striker, who made his debut for Manchester United in February 2016, is going to be a part of the forward line for England in Russia 2018.

He is not new to the big stage as he already played in the Euro 2016, aged 18, and has made 13 appearances for England. Now aged only 19, he has already made 82 appearances for Manchester United. With his blistering pace and direct approach to the game, he is a nightmare for defenders and goalkeepers.

He can be effective on the wing, or in a more central role, or as a striker. With 12 goals tp his name already, Rashford turns 20 on October 31st, and can even go past Rooney and top this list, if he scores 4 more goals in the next 3 Premier League games. Way to go for the young England forward.

#1 Wayne Rooney - 15 goals

United's top teenage goal scorer

Top of the list. Started his first-team career with Everton at the age of just 16. He was energetic, creative, possess a great strength and physicality. He was very effective in the air, even though he was not a tall kid. He took Everton by storm, which was noticed by many top European clubs. He moved to United in a record deal for a teenager when he was just 18.

He started his United career with a Champions League hat-trick. He scored 11 Premier League goals for United in his first season and was credited with the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

He turned into a prolific goal scorer for United with great control & technical ability. Combined with his work rate and stamina, he is one of the best strikers to have played in the Premier League. He played 13 seasons for United and become the club's all-time leading goal scorer, overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton.

Rooney scored a total of 30 Premier League goals before turning 20, but, 15 of them were for Everton, while the other 15 were for United, making him 3rd on the list of "Top scoring teenagers in the Premier League" behind Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler.