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Top 50 Manchester United players
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Top 50 Manchester United players 50. Jaap Stam (1998-2001): A colossus in defence, Fergie was forced to admit he made a mistake in selling the Dutchman following the publication of his controversial autobiography. 49. Jack Silcock (1916-1934): Made 449 appearances for United at left-back, in a remarkable career that spanned 17 years at Old Trafford before leaving to join Oldham in 1934. 48. Nicky Butt (1992-2004): Another member of the Class of '92, a no-nonsense, hard-working midfielder, Butt's longevity at United was testimony to his under-rated ability. 47. Dwight Yorke (1998-2002): Formed a formidable strike partnership with Cole and helped United to three straight titles, as well as the Treble in 1999. Party lifestyle forced his exit. 46. Teddy Sheringham (1997-2001): His greatest moment may have come in the Nou Camp in 1999 with the equaliser before Solskajaer's winner, but still has cult status at Old Trafford. 45. Andy Cole (1995-2001): Prolific scorer who netted 121 goals in 275 appearances, which included five in the 9-0 rout of Ipswich at Old Trafford in 1995, a Premier League record. 43. Mark Hughes (1980-86 and 1988-95) 43. Lou Macari (1973-84): An industrious attacking midfielder who scored 98 times for United in 400 appearances, he remains at Old Trafford in his role as a pundit and analyst for MUTV. 42. Johnny Carey (1936-53): United's first post-war captain lifted the FA Cup in 1958 and the league title in 1952, he played in every position for the club except outside left. 41. Steve Coppell (1975-83): Pacey winger who holds the record for the most consecutive appearances for an outfield United player - 207 from 1977 to 1981 - which still stands. 40. Norman Whiteside (1982-89): A richly talented striker who specialised in scoring against United's bitter rivals Liverpool, his career was cut short by injury at just 26. 39. Sammy McIlroy (1971-1982): The last player signed by Sir Matt Busby, he spent 11 years at United, reverting from striker to midfielder, and won the FA Cup in 1977 against Liverpool. 38. Arthur Albiston (1974-1988): Made 485 appearances for United in an Old Trafford career spanning 14 years, he won three FA Cups and now works as a pundit for MUTV. 37. Harry Gregg (1957-1967): Never won a trophy at United, but a true hero who helped rescue survivors from the wreckage of Munich, and a man who is still revered at Old Trafford. 36. Stan Pearson (1936-54): A Salford-born lad, prolific goalscorer Pearson achieved his boyhood dream of playing for United and missed just 13 games between 1946 and 1953. 35. Gary Pallister (1989-1998): His defensive partnership with Bruce was formidable and was key to United's re-emergence as English football's dominant force in the early 1990s. 34. Alex Stepney (1966-78): With 539 appearances in goal and as a member of the 1968 European cup-winning side, his legendary status is assured. Works as a pundit for MUTV. 33. Brian Kidd (1963-74): Synonymous with United, as a European Cup-winner in 1968 and then as Fergie's assistant in the 1990s, before the pair fell out and he left Old Trafford. 32. Bill Foulkes (1952-1970): A Munich survivor who made 685 appearances for United, his proudest moment came 10 years after the tragedy when he lifted the European Cup. 31. Joe Spence (1919-1933): Called to fight in the First World War at 17, Spence had a perspective lost on the modern-day player and a strike-rate of a goal every three games. 30. Billy Meredith (1906-1921): Played in an FA Cup semi-final for Man City at 49, but 335 games during a 15-year spell at United cemented his status as one of Old Trafford's sons. 29. Rio Ferdinand (2002-): Newly-appointed England captain has overcome an eight-month ban and questions over his attitude to become one of the best defenders in the world. 28. Dennis Viollet (1950-1962): Injured in the Munich air crash, Viollet went on to score 32 goals in 36 league games in the 1959-60 season. A true United and Old Trafford legend. 27. Tony Dunne (1960-73): Bought by Sir Matt Busby for £5,000 in 1960, he made United's left-back slot his own for more than a decade during a distinguished 13-year spell. 26. Denis Irwin (1990-2002): Fergie still hails him as his best ever signing, a snip at £650,000 from Oldham. The reliable left-back remains at Old Trafford as a pundit for MUTV. 25. Paddy Crerand (1963-1972): European Cup winner in 1968 and unofficially George Best's minder, Crerand retains his Old Trafford links with a weekly show on the club's MUTV station. 24. Nobby Stiles (1960-1971): One of only three Englishmen to win the World Cup and European Cup, the defensive midfielder won two titles with United in 1965 and 1967. 23. Billy Whelan (1953-58): One of eight United players to die in Munich, aged just 22, he scored 52 goals in 96 games on his way to winning two titles with the Reds. 22. Jack Rowley (1937-1955): Nicknamed 'The Gunner', a physical and combative forward who scored 30 goals in the 1951-52 season, he helped United win the FA Cup in 1948. 21. Martin Buchan (1972-1983): First season as United captain ended in relegation, but helped them back to the top-flight and led them out at Wembley three times in 12-year spell. 20. Brian McClair (1987-1998): Nicknamed 'Choccy', a hard-working, versatile forward who had a knack of scoring vital goals. Still at United in his role as youth academy director. 19. Ruud van Nistelrooy (2001-06): A phenomenal record of 150 goals in 219 appearances cemented his status as a United legend. But a fall-out with Fergie saw him join Real Madrid. 18. Gary Neville (1992-): Loved at United, loathed everywhere else, Neville's devotion to United is unique. Nearing the end of his career but one of Old Trafford's most loyal servants. 17. David Beckham (1993-2003): His celebrity profile often obscured his talent as a player, whose crossing and dead-ball ability remained unrivalled. Fell out with Fergie and left in 2003. 16. Steve Bruce (1987-1996): Greatest Old Trafford moment came against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993 with two late headed goals which put United back on course for a first title in 26 years. 15. Tommy Taylor (1953-58): Celebrated his 26th birthday a week before he die at Munich and averaged two goals every three games in the title-winning seasons of 1956 and 1957. 14. Roger Byrne (1949-1958): Widely regarded as a player ahead of his time, his loss in the Munich disaster robbed United of one of the greatest captains and full-backs in their history. 13. Ole Gunnar Solskajer (1996-2007): Could have joined Spurs but stayed at United and was rewarded with the winning goal in the 1999 European Cup final. Now United reserves boss. 12. Wayne Rooney (2004-): Still only 24, Rooney has already established himself as a United hero with 122 goals in 271 appearances. Can break every United record going. 11. Paul Scholes (1994-): Regarded by his peers as the most gifted player of his generation, he is a rarity in the modern game - a player who shuns the limelight and is happiest playing. 10. Duncan Edwards (1952-58): Those privileged to see him play say he would have become the greatest English player of all time. Died 15 days after the Munich crash, aged just 21. 9. Cristiano Ronaldo (2003-2009): George Best declared him the greatest player since him, and that status was assured with a world record £80m move to Real Madrid in 2009. 8. Bryan Robson (1981-1994): Put his body on the line for United throughout his career, Captain Marvel had to wait until he was 37 to win a title at Old Trafford. A giant of a player. 7. Peter Schemichel (1991-1999): Fergie hailed the £535,000 he paid for him as the bargain of the century. United's finest keeper, his presence and heroics are unlikely to be matched. 6. Roy Keane (1993-2005): A player whose sheer force of will drove him and those around him to unique heights, he was an inspired captain before a fall-out with Fergie sealed his exit. 5. Eric Cantona (1992-1997): He may have only been at United for five years, but the enigmatic Cantona was the catalyst for United's current dominance and his legacy lives on. 4. Denis Law (1962-1973): Known simply as 'The King', Law formed United's holy trinity with Best and Charlton, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances, making him an Old Trafford great. 3. Sir Bobby Charlton (1954-1973): Mr Manchester United, his affinity for the club is all-consuming, from two decades as a player, to his current role as a director and ambassador. 2. Ryan Giggs (1991-): The most decorated player in United's history, his longevity defies belief. Re-invented himself as a central midfielder and is currently on 828 appearances. 1. George Best (1963-1974): The most iconic player in United history, he illumiated Old Trafford with his dazzling skill, while his notoriety off the pitch cemented his enduring legend.
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