#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
After seeing David Beckham leave for Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson gave the responsibility of the club’s most iconic shirt to a teenager from Portugal. The untrained eye may have been shocked, but those in the know could see that this raw talent had the potential to be something truly special. And he certainly did not disappoint.
As he matured, Cristiano Ronaldo soon repaid the faith with some of the most scintillating displays that Premier League fans have ever seen. Following promising signs early on, he really hit top gear in 2006/07 as he dragged the Red Devils to the Premier League crown.
Another two titles followed in the seasons after, as did the second Champions League trophy of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, as the Portuguese superstar dominated everyone in his way. He notched an incredible 91 goals in those three seasons alone, picking up his first Ballon d’Or award too, before sealing a then world record move to the Bernabeu in 2009.
Quite frankly, the Premier League has never been the same since. He is rightly-heralded as one of the club’s all-time greats. He hasn’t done too badly since playing for Real Madrid either.