Compile a list of the 12 greatest Manchester United Football Club players and managers? Can’t be done, surely. Out of so many greats, who to you include, and more importantly, exclude. Here’s my attempt. I’ve left out current players, so Giggs, Scholes etc. aren’t included (although I’m sure they will be after they retire).
Duncan Edwards (Midfield, 1953-1958) Appearances: 151 Goals: 20
Edwards joined United in June 1952 and made his debut the following year. He helped United to two league titles in 1956 and 57. He was capped by England at 18 and gained 18 caps in his short career. Tragically killed in the Munich air disaster on 21 February 1958, aged just 21. Matt Busby (Manager, 1945-1969 & 1970-1971) Busby was appointed manager of Manchester United Football Club in 1945. He led the club to four second place finishes before lifting the title in 1952. With the side aging, Busby introduced a number of youngsters who became known as the “Busby Babes”, and won the title again in 1956 and 1957. Tragically, seven of those players were killed in the Munich air disaster the following year. Busby set about building a new side including new recruits Denis Law and George Best. This team went on to win two further titles, an FA Cup and the European Cup in 1968. Busby earned a knighthood and retired from football the following year although he had a brief spell as caretaker in 1970/71.
Bobby Charlton (Forward/Midfield, 1953-1973) Appearances: 759 Goals: 249
Charlton signed for United in 1953 and would spend the next 17 years at Old Trafford. A member of the “Busby Babes” who survived the Munich air disaster, he was also a key member of the great sixties line-up featuring the classic Charlton-Best-Law axis. He won three league titles, an FA Cup and European Cup. He left United in 1973 and had spells with Preston and Waterford before retiring. He is currently a director of Manchester United Football Club.
George Best (Forward/Winger, 1963 – 1974) Appearances: 470 Goals: 179
Arguably the most talented British footballer ever, Best was a winger with pace, balance, and sublime dribbling skills. He made his debut for United in 1963 aged just 17 and the following year won the League title. Another title followed in 1967, and in 1968 he helped United win the European Cup. Best was United’s top scorer for six consecutive seasons, but his extravagant lifestyle, and problems with alcoholism, curtailed his career. He left United in 1974, aged 27, and never attained such heights again.
Denis Law (Striker, 1962-1973) Appearances: 404 Goals: 237
Signed from Torino in 1962, Law spent 11 years at the club making 404 appearances and scoring 237 times. As the third member of the famed Charlton-Best-Law axis, he was instrumental in United’s 1965 and 1967 league triumphs, but missed the European Cup win due to injury. He left United for Manchester City in 1973, and famously scored the goal which relegated United in 1974.
Bryan Robson (Midfield, 1981-1994) Appearances: 461 Goals: 98
Robson overcame a catalogue of serious injuries during his career to establish himself as one of all time greats of Manchester United Football Club. Joined United from West Brom in 1981 and went on to lead the club to three FA Cups, a League Cup, and the European Cup Winner’s Cup. In 1992/93, he played 15 games in United’s title winnning season to finally gain a coveted league winners medal. Joined Middlesbrough as player/manager in 1994.
Steve Bruce (Defender, 1987-1996) Appearances: 414 Goals: 51
Bruce’s partnership with Gary Pallister was the foundation of the side that won the title in 1993, 1994 and 1996. Signed from Norwich in 1987, he was appointed club captain in 1991. In addition to the league triumphs he helped United to 3 FA Cups, the Cup Winners Cup, and the League Cup. Despite his success with United, he never won a full England cap. Joined Birmingham City in 1996 and later moved into management.
Mark Hughes (Striker, 1980–1986 & 1988-1995) Appearances: 466 Goals: 164
Powerful striker with a knack for scoring spectacular goals. Joined the club in 1980 and made his debut in 1983. In 1985, he helped United to an FA Cup triumph over Everton. He was surprisingly sold to Barcelona in 1986, and had a brief spell at Bayern Munich before returning to Old Trafford in 1988. His second spell at United saw him win 2 league titles, 2 FA Cups, the League Cup and the Cup Winners Cup. He joined Chelsea in 1995 and won 3 major trophies with the Blues before spells at Southampton, Everton and Blackburn. Currently Manchester City manager.
Eric Cantona (Striker, 1992-1997) Appearances: 143 Goals: 84
Won the title with Leeds before he moved to Old Trafford, and quickly established himself as a firm crowd favourite. During his five years at the club United won four league titles including two league and cup doubles Cantona retired from football in 1997, and currently works as an actor. In 2001, he was voted Manchester United Football Club “player of the century”.
Peter Schmeichel (Goalkeeper, 1991-1999) Appearances: 296
Schmeichel signed from Bronby in 1991, and spent eight years at United, winning five league titles, three FA Cups, the League Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. In 1992, he won the European Championship with Denmark, and in ’92 and ’93, he was voted “World’s Best Goalkeeper”. Schmeichel left United for Sporting Lisbon in 1999. He later returned to England for brief spells at Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Roy Keane (Midfield, 1993-2005) Appearances: 480 Goals: 51
Keane signed from Nottingham Forest in 1993 and was club captain from 1997 until his departure in 2005. His tenure coincided with the greatest period of success in United’s history during which they won 7 league titles, 4 FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League. Keane was involved in a number of controversies during his United career including run-ins with the board and criticism of his fellow players. None-the-less, he remains the most successful captain in the history of Manchester United Football Club.
Christiano Ronaldo (Winger/Striker 2003-2009) Appearances:196 Goals:84
Joined United as a precocious teenager in 2000, and soon won the crowd over with his extravagant stepovers and deadly free kicks. Twice footballer of the year in England he was also named European and World footballer of the year in 2008. He won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Champions League with United, before moving to Real Madrid in 2009 for a world record £80 million. Alex Ferguson (Manager, 1986-present) The most successful manager in the history of English football, Ferguson joined United from Aberdeen in 1986. His early years were hardly distinguished and it is thought that he was on the verge of being fired in 1990. However, United won the FA Cup that year and thereafter embarked on the most successful era in the club’s history, winning 11 league titles, 5 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, the Cup Winners Cup, and two UEFA Champions leagues. Ferguson was knighted for his services to football in 1999.
Gary Walker is the editor of The-Football-Club.com, the complete resource on English football. Here’s more about Manchester United football club. Copyright: You may freely republish this article provided the text, author credits, active links and this notice remain intact.
Manchester United deserved it as they were unbeaten ?
Some say chelsea should of won i dont agree as,If Chelsea were the best team in europe they would not of lost to olympiakos.Also i feel if it wasnt for Riise and his own goal i feel Liverpool would of triumphed so dont talk to me about luck.
Manchester united did not get Chelsea’s easy run in they got Roma,Barcelona great teams not Olympiakos and Fenerbace.
Answer
I thought Man Utd deserved to win last night, and I’m a gooner. They were unbeaten and I’m proud to be English!
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