Top 3 Manchester United greats in recent memory who scored over 100 goals for the club

A club is only as great as its players and Manchester United is a classic example of this. In the course of its rich history, the club has been able to achieve domestic and international success.

This has largely been due to the consistency in producing quality players, a solid budge fit enough to attract the best players, the team's style of play and unrivaled support from their large number of global fans.

In the last two and a half decades, the club has basked in the success orchestrated by legendary former manager Sir. Alex Ferguson. He won an astonishing 13 Premier League titles in 25 years in charge.

Ferguson was also at heart of creating most of the special memories at Manchester United. This included the famous 'Class of 92' and the cup treble of 1999. It was Ferguson's United that eventually ended Arsenal's unbeaten run of 49 matches in 2005. Coincidentally, Arsenal has never lifted the Premier League title since that defeat.

Ferguson had a knack for bringing the right players on board. Some of these players not only credited him for their success but delivered the goods for the club. It is no mean feat to score more than a 100 goals for a top side.

The pressure to perform at United makes it even more difficult for players to put their best foot forward. These three players were all brought in by Ferguson and repaid the faith by edging their names in the rare 100-goal club.

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo helped United win the Premier League and Champions League

There is no better representation of a quality player at United than Ronaldo. He shared the name of the Brazilian great but could he live up to it? In August 2003, Sporting Lisbon defeated Manchester United 3-1 in Portugal.

Amidst that defeat was a young attacking prospect who blew away the United players in that match. Ferguson quickly wrapped up his signature and it opened the door for the legendary player he is today.

After scoring 15 goals in his first two seasons at the club, Ronaldo started maturing into a more prominent player and quickly became an Old Trafford favorite. He won three successive Premier League titles from 2006 to 2009 and scored in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final win against Chelsea.

In total, Ronaldo scored 118 goals for Manchester United including a season breaking 42 goals (2007-2008) in 49 appearances. This performance helped to influence a dream move to Real Madrid where he also cemented his legendary status.

#2 Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs won a record 13 league titles

The current Wales manager is a true legend at United as he holds several records to his name. Giggs was an active player for United from 1987 to 2014 when he retired. In that period, he managed a record 963 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils.

His raw speed and gifted left foot created special memories for United fans. Since making his senior debut in 1990, he scored at least a goal in 23 out of 24 seasons that followed.

Giggs won a whopping 34 trophies with United to make him the most decorated player in the club's history. He was part of the team that lifted the treble in 1999 and UEFA Champions League trophy in 2008.

He scored a total of 168 goals in all competitions for the club. The Welshman is ranked seventh in United's all-time scorer's list tied with Joe Spence but he has made more appearances.

He famously took the role of player/coach in 2014 for United's last four matches of the 2013-2014 season following David Moyes' sacking. At one point, he even substituted himself in at halftime of a match. He was later appointed as assistant manager to Louis Van Gaal in the two seasons that followed.

#1 Wayne Rooney

Rooney tops Manchester United's all-time scoring charts

Rooney has been the poster boy of modern-era teenage sensations in football. He was signed by the Red Devils in August 2004 after Ferguson sanctioned the move. Still 18, he scored a hat-trick on his debut in United's 6-2 victory over Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

He finished his first season as United's top scorer with 11 goals. Rooney went on to win 16 trophies with United including five Premier League titles, the Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

On January 21, 2017, Rooney became United's most prolific scorer in history with 250 goals when he scored a sizzling free kick against Stoke City in a 1-1 away draw. He surpassed the record set by Sir Bobby Charlton of 249 goals.

As captain, he lifted four trophies for the club in what was a stellar career. He also broke England's scoring record that Charlton held when at United to top with 53 goals in 119 appearances. At 32, he still has a lot of football left to play and holds a special place in United's history.