Best Manchester United Players: Top 10 Manchester United Legends (Ranked)

Manchester United, one of the most successful clubs in the English top flight, has been a factory for producing the best players in the game over the years. While recruiting some greatest footballers from different clubs, the English outfit has also produced a crop of talented ballers through its own academy. In this post, we will discuss the best Manchester United players who have not only shown their mettle in the English top flight but also have danced around against major clubs in European tournaments, carrying the rich legacy of the club with honor. 

On this legendary list of the best Manchester United players ever, the most notable mention is the Class of 1992, which pierced through the hearts of domestic and international arenas to hold the flag of the Red Devils high. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Keane, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Wayne Rooney graced the turf of Old Trafford in their illustrious journey with the club. 

List of Best Manchester United Players of All Time

Now, let’s take a look at our list of the best Manchester United players in the club’s history, ranked through different parameters.

Rank	Player Name	Position	Tenure
10	Cristiano Ronaldo	Forward	2003–2009, 2021–2022
9	Rio Ferdinand	Defender	2002–2014
8	Eric Cantona	Forward	1992–1997
7	Paul Scholes	Midfielder	1993–2011, 2012–2013
6	Wayne Rooney	Forward	2004–2017
5	Bryan Robson	Midfielder	1981–1994
4	Roy Keane	Midfielder	1993–2005
3	Ryan Giggs	Winger	1990–2014
2	George Best	Winger	1963–1974
1	Sir Bobby Charlton	Midfielder	1956–1973

How We Ranked the Top 10 Manchester United Legends

Longevity: While making the list of Manchester United legends, we have taken into account the number of years the players had played at the highest level when they were in the Theatre of Dreams. Along with that, consistency has also been pivotal in choosing the right names among the best players.

Consistency: Another important aspect is the number of games the players have played in the Manchester United jersey, which shows the reliability of the person in the club during their stint.

Impact in Key Matches: The third parameter considered while ranking the best Manchester United player in history is to look at the player’s impact during the key games for his team, with their brilliance and performances on the pitch.

Trophies/Achievements: One of the most important parameters is the number of trophies won by the player when we have focused on making the list of the best Manchester United players.

Who are Manchester United Best Players Ever?

The best Manchester United players represent different eras of the club’s history, each player bringing their unique abilities that defined their generations and contributed to the Red Devils’ lasting legacy.

10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

The greatest goal scorer in the history of football, Cristiano Ronaldo, began his dazzling journey to the highest level of football in Manchester. In his two stints at Old Trafford, the Portuguese international has made 346 appearances across all competitions. However, what made him a legend of the club was his first stint, a time that resonated with his explosive talent.

In 292 games, Ronaldo netted 112 goals and developed himself as one of the greats of the game, and this phase maintained a dreamy period in the club’s life. Having been brought in from Sporting CP in 2004, the Portuguese quickly found his footing in the English Premier League and was the top scorer for the Red Devils in their journey of winning three back-to-back top-tier domestic titles and lifting an ever-elusive UEFA Champions League trophy in 2008.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
346	145	64	9

9. Rio Ferdinand (England)

A flamboyant figure of Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand was an iconic figure who was one of the greatest defenders in the history of Man Utd. His leadership qualities, aggressive mentality, and intelligence have made him one of the best Manchester United players ever. Ferdinand appeared in 455 appearances with the red kit in one of the most successful periods of the English club, lifting over 15 major titles in the process.

With Nemanja Vidic on his side, the Englishman built a solid defensive belt at the back and made it easy for the club to win six Premier League titles on his watch. His game awareness and vision are what Manchester United fans still miss in the current proceedings of the club, highlighting the player’s individual brilliance in both defense and attack.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
456	8	8	15

8. Eric Cantona (France)

Eric Cantona was one of the curators of success for the Red Devils when the club stepped into the venture of the newly formatted Premier League in the 90s. A true catalyst of success, Cantona introduced the French style of aggression blended with the magic of English football, incorporated by the tactical brilliance of Sir Alex Ferguson. His creative flair, brilliant dribbling qualities, and swagger aided in United’s quick transformation into the global leader in club football. 

The French professional made 185 appearances for the English club, recording 82 goals and 65 assists, with his stylish brand of football and visionary style paving the path of excellence and success for others to follow. No wonder Manchester United fans still hail him as one of the greatest of all time.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
185	82	65	11

7. Paul Scholes (England)

Any list of Manchester United’s best players will always remain incomplete without the mention of Paul Scholes. The decorated English midfielder established himself as one of the most influential figures in the midfield of the Red Devils with 155 goals under his belt, a dazzling scoring stat he recorded in 718 appearances for the English club across all competitions.

Emerged through the ranks of the Class of ’92, Paul Scholes found his way to the group of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, thanks to his composure, a wide array of passing, and vision. Scholes was the engine of United’s midfield in Ferguson’s era, setting the tempo of the game with his calmness, brilliant dribbling, and scoring ability that played a crucial role in the club’s trophy-laden journey in the early 2000s. 

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
718	155	82	20

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6. Wayne Rooney (England)

Wayne Rooney is the greatest goal-scorer in the history of Manchester United, and this stat alone speaks louder about why he was the most relieving point for the fans whenever he had the ball at his feet on matchdays. Riding extraordinary talent and a winning mentality, Rooney made everything easy on the pitch to lead the club to many major trophies in 559 games, having recorded 253 goals. 

From excelling in the youth academy of the club to establishing himself as one of the reliable figures in the attack, Rooney made it a habit to deliver winning goals and take United out of the jaws of defeat. His eventful journey, aided by tenacity, agility, work rate and skills, saw him playing a pivotal role in the Red Devils’ domestic and European success.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
559	253	140	12

5. Bryan Robson (England)

The “Captain Marvel” of Manchester United, Bryan Robson, who was hailed as one of the most instrumental figures by the fans during his playing days, is a true legend in the club’s history. The dynamic midfielder, who made the fans sit in awe with his agility, passing range, and ball control, was the perfect embodiment of the ethos of Manchester United. Robson was an exemplary figure in the midfield and demonstrated the art of tackling, dribbling, and scoring in his decorated career of 461 appearances as a Red. 

In a dazzling journey with the Red Devils, the playmaker lifted three FA Cups, two Premier League titles, and one European silverware. The way Robson became a standout player in the crop managed by Alex Ferguson, it was just a matter of time for him to etch his name as one of the best Manchester United players of all time. 

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
461	99	24	9

4. Roy Keane (Republic of Ireland)

Roy Keane, an institution of football in himself, left a lasting impact on the club, which earned him the status of one of the best Manchester United players ever. A brute force in the middle of the park, Keane went on to make 480 appearances for the Red Devils after setting a standard of his own in the club. Under his captaincy, United found a new set of aggressive style of play combined with tenacity and a hunger for glory.

His exceptional vision and powerful displays were crucial in his hunt for success. Keane was also a serial winner who laid his hands on seven Premier League titles, including four FA Cups. It was Keane who led a young and talented squad of Red Devils to the historic treble in 1999. Roy Keane’s contribution to the establishment of the club’s status as a European superpower in the 1990s made him one of the greatest players in Premier League history.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
480	51	41	17

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3. Ryan Giggs (Wales)

Ryan Giggs, an epitome of versatility in football, is the most successful player in Manchester United’s history, and he is third on our list of the best players ever in the club’s rich history. With 963 appearances and 169 goals across all competitions, Giggs demonstrated the true meaning of consistency and strong willpower. Having started his career as an LMF in the early stage, the English playmaker later played almost every position in the midfield region, eventually ending his career as a decorated central midfielder.

In the golden era of Alex Ferguson, Giggs was the heartbeat of Manchester United, setting the rhythm of every important final with his magical touch and intelligent play. What made the left-footed star a folkloric figure was his adaptability and habit of winning games when it mattered most. 

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
963	168	268	24

2. George Best (Northern Ireland)

George Best is a true icon for Manchester United fans and this respect and stardom the Irishman earned in a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford. Many believe, Best is the most talented player to have ever donned the red jersey in history. The shining armor of the attacking front of the Red Devils showed his excellent dribbling skills, scoring prowess, and visionary passing range to become one of the most fearsome wingers in Europe.

In his 13-year career with the Red Devils, Best produced some unbelievable moments by finding the net with some incredible strikes and is rightly considered one of the best dribblers of all time. One of the best examples will be his audacious goal that found the back of the net like a thunderbolt in the European Cup final in 1968. It is needless to say that the brilliance and longevity of Best lifted him as one of the best Manchester United players of all time. 

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
470	179	44	6

1. Sir Bobby Charlton (England)

Sir Bobby Charlton is our pick for the best Manchester United player in history, and we needed no second invitation to put his name up there on the list. The survivor of the unfortunate Munich air disaster, Charlton was the perfect example of resilience, leadership, and heroism. The tall striker of the Red Devils made nearly 760 appearances across all competitions and netted 245 goals to become the highest goal scorer in the history of the club, a record that was later broken by Wayne Rooney.

His style of aggressive play, passing range and creativity played a pivotal role in his scoring ability from anywhere on the pitch. Charlton was not only a player in the club but also a true well-wisher who dedicated a part of his life to the betterment of Man United during difficult times. His dedication and love for the Red Devils are woven into the veins of the English club, leading him to sit in the chair of the best Manchester United player ever.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies
758	245	72	7

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