Greatest Manchester United XI of all time

Sir Alex Ferguson with Paul Scholes
Sir Alex Ferguson with Paul Scholes

MIDFIELDERS


PAUL SCHOLES - CENTRE MIDFIELD

Paul Scholes is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all-time
Paul Scholes is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all-time

Another member of the Class of 92. Paul Scholes, like Gary Neville, spent his entire career at Manchester United and is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders to have played the game.

A diminutive midfielder who many thought would not succeed in the game because of his stature, Scholes proved them all wrong. An exceptional passer with remarkable tenacity and technical skills, the England international played in a variety of midfield and attacking positions. Some of football's finest have commented on the talent of Scholes, with the likes of Xavi and Zinedine Zidane considering him a complete midfielder.

Scholes played more than 700 games for Manchester United in all competitions, scoring 155 goals. He retired in 2013, and is currently a pundit. He also had a short spell as manager of Oldham Athletic.


SIR BOBBY CHARLTON - ATTACKING MIDFIELD

Sir Bobby Charlton at Old Trafford
Sir Bobby Charlton at Old Trafford

Another Manchester United academy graduate to have made this list. Sir Bobby Charlton joined the Red Devils in 1953, making his senior debut for the club three years later.

An attacking midfielder who could also play as a forward, the England international was Manchester United and England's all-time leading goalscorer before being surpassed on both fronts by Wayne Rooney. He was just 20 when the Munich Air Disaster happened, and was one of the few survivors of the horrible incident.

Charlton would go on to be a vital part of the rebuilding process post the disaster. He played more than 750 games for Manchester United, scoring 249 goals. He joined Preston North End in 1974, also playing for the likes of Waterford and Blacktown City before retiring in 1980.


GEORGE BEST - ATTACKING MIDFIELDE

George Best is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and it is hard to argue.

A Manchester United academy graduate, Best's creativity and dribbling ability stood out from a young age. He made his debut for the club in 1963, and wowed everyone with his technical skills, flair and elegance.

A larger-than-life persona, Best's off-the-field activities started gaining more notoriety as time went on. Alcohol would go to play a major role in his life, and his extravagant lifestyle resulted in financial as well as personal losses.

He made 470 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, scoring 179 goals. The Northern Ireland international would play for the likes of Fulham, Bournemouth and San Jose Earthquakes, before retiring in 1984.


FORWARDS


WAYNE ROONEY - CENTRE-FORWARD

Wayne Rooney in action for Manchester United
Wayne Rooney in action for Manchester United

Regarded as a prodigious talent during his Everton days, Wayne Rooney moved to Manchester United in 2004 aged 18. United paid Everton £25.6 million for him; a then record-transfer fee for a teenager.

Rooney justified his fee, and more. He scored a hat-trick on his Manchester United debut against Fenerbahce in the Champions League, and did not look back since then. A creative and physical forward, Rooney could play in a variety of attacking positions, and was later utilised as a midfielder by Louis van Gaal.

Rooney is Manchester United's as well as England's top goalscorer of all time. In 13 years with the Red Devils, the England international made more than 550 appearances, scoring 253 goals. He left the club in 2017, securing a return to Everton. He currently plays for Derby County in the Championship.


CRISTIANO RONALDO - WINGER/ AUXILLARY FORWARD

Cristiano Ronaldo during his Manchester United days
Cristiano Ronaldo during his Manchester United days

Arguably the greatest player to have played the game. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon aged 18 in 2003 for a fee of £12 million. He left in 2009 to Real Madrid for a fee of £80 million, having won every possible trophy with the Red Devils.

Predominantly a winger at Manchester United, the Portugal international's searing pace, physicality and dribbling ability caused havoc in the opposition defence. He would later add goals to his resume as well; becoming a world-class finisher who could also score from free-kicks.

Ronaldo played nearly 300 games in all competitions for Manchester United, scoring 118 goals. Currently, the superstar footballer plays for Italian giants Juventus, where he has been in fine form.


ERIC CANTONA - WINGER/ AUXILLARY FORWARD

Eric Cantona's arrival changed Manchester United's fortunes
Eric Cantona's arrival changed Manchester United's fortunes

Affectionately called "King Eric" by Manchester United fans, Eric Cantona transformed the club with his arrival.

The France international joined Manchester United from Leeds United for a fee of £1.2 million in 1992. Collar turned up, Cantona's persona added colour to Manchester United. A good striker well known for his finishing ability, Cantona was more than a player for the fans. He added panache and a winning mentality which would reverberate around the club for the rest of Sir Alex Ferguson's spell.

Cantona played nearly 200 games for Manchester United, scoring 82 goals. He retired in 1997 aged just 31, after a string of controversies.


Also Read: Top 10 Premier League midfielders this season (2019/20)

Quick Links

Edited by Ashwin
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications