Manchester United: 3 top players who have made over 400 appearances for the club recently

Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in English football and more so globally. It is a club that needs little introduction when it comes to spelling out its success and the great players that have been at the club.

The 20-time English champions have over the years attracted some of the best players in the world and on a consistent basis. It is no secret that United have always had the financial pedigree to attract these footballers regardless of how spectacular their performance were at the local and international stage.

For instance, in 2014, United paid a record fee of £27 million for left-back Luke Shaw. This was the highest ever fee paid for a teenager. They were involved again a year later in breaking that same record fee when they signed Anthony Martial for £36 million from Monaco.

In professional football, there are many factors that can hinder a player from playing consistently for a club. The biggest hindrance can be competition. A squad can have about 30 players with only a maximum of 14 being used per match.

Some players especially second choice and third choice goalkeepers rarely get a taste of the action in the whole season.

Another key factor is injuries. Some top players who were destined for greatness have seen their careers take a nose dive due to injuries. In United, for one to play over 400 matches means that they were one of the best in what they did. These three players in recent years managed to reach that feat and also enjoyed success at the club.

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#3 Michael Carrick

Carrick had a calming effect when he played

The now assistant coach at United re-defined the art of composed midfield play. Despite playing a more defensive-minded midfield role in 12 years at the club, Carrick was known to also spot the runners and pick them out with long passes. The former England international, who retired at the end of last season, made 464 appearances the club and scored 24 goals.

He played in some of United's most important matches including the UEFA Champions League final that they won in 2008. He was also instrumental as United clinched five Premier League titles from 2006-2013.

Many feel he was underappreciated for what he gave for the club with focus placed on the more stylish attackers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne who played around him.

#2 Wayne Rooney

Rooney left Old Trafford as a legend.

The former Manchester United and England captain won all the major trophies available at club level. Since his move to Everton in 2004, Rooney transformed himself from a potential attacking threat to one of the best strikers in world football.

At United, he won five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, League Cup, FIFA World Club Cup and the 2017 Europa League to complete his trophy cabinet.

Rooney made 559 appearances for United and finished his career there as the all-time record goalscorer with 253 goals for the club. This certainly looks like a mark that will not be reached any time soon. It was also around that time that he broke his country's record international goal tally.

#1 Ryan Giggs

For most parts, Giggs had his hand raised high due to unrivalled success at United.

The current Wales manager is the most decorated Manchester United player of all time. No other player in United's rich history has collected more combined club and individual accolades than Giggs.

He won a total of 34 trophies while at the club. These include; two UEFA Champions League titles in the famous 1999 triumph and in 2008. Also, he won a record 13 Premier League titles as a player.

Giggs had also made the most appearances of any United player in history. He made a whopping 963 appearances and managed 168 goals during his time at the club.

He is a product of the golden generation, the 'class of 92', that went on to do great things for the club. Will we ever see a United player enjoy such longevity at the highest level in our lifetime?