50 best Manchester United players of the Premier League era.
A look at Manchester United’s 50 best players since the beginning of the Premier League, with too many legends to choose from!
50) Louis Saha
A skillful and intelligent striker with a lot of bad luck with injuries, Louis Saha was a good signing by Manchester United and a player who could’ve achieved a great deal more.
49) Anderson
He wasn’t always rubbish! Anderson proved a terrific addition to United’s midfield when he first joined, only to fade badly later on.
48) Adnan Januzaj
Already in the top 50, Adnan Januzaj has the potential to do great things at Old Trafford, already becoming a key player in the last couple of years, despite his youth.
47) Marouane Fellaini
A powerful midfield player who improved greatly last season, Marouane Fellaini is certainly worthy of a top 50 place.
46) Rafael da Silva
Many United fans were disappointed to see him leave, right-back Rafael da Silva had one truly outstanding season but never quite fulfilled his potential.
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45) Owen Hargreaves
Another incredibly injury prone player, Owen Hargreaves looked a superb buy for United in 2007, playing a key part in their double win that year, though he did little afterwards.
44) Mikael Silvestre
Now well known for an awful spell at Arsenal, Mikael Silvestre was initially a smart signing by United and a key part of their defence.
43) Ander Herrera
Only into his second season at United, but Ander Herrera looks like the kind of classy and intelligent midfield playmaker they have been crying out for for some time.
42) Wes Brown
A solid and consistent defender who never really let United down, Wes Brown played his part in numorous title wins and is an underrated figure of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
41) John O’Shea
Just like Brown, John O’Shea was a consistent and versatile player who did his bit to help the club to no end of success.
40) Javier Hernandez
Not used enough, Javier Hernandez was excellent when he first signed for the Red Devils, showing lethal finishing ability, if proving a little one-dimensional.
39) Andrei Kanchelskis
A skillful winger with an eye for goal, Andrei Kanchelskis was a big part of Ferguson’s early success at Old Trafford.
38) Ashley Young
Great in his first season, great last season, and fairly rubbish in between, it’s been a mixed time for Ashley Young, but he’s undoubtedly a talent who’s made his mark.
37) Gabriel Heinze
A much-loved Argentine defender, Gabriel Heinze was known for his passionate play and never-say-die attitude before later playing for Real Madrid.
36) Phil Neville
One of two Neville brothers, Phil Neville was a very reliable squad player for many years, and never put a foot wrong when called upon to add some aggression to the team.
35) Carlos Tevez
Superb in his two seasons at Old Trafford, Carlos Tevez helped United to two league titles and the Champions League, but soured his reputation by moving to Manchester City.
34) Gary Pallister
A key defender who never missed a game, Gary Pallister is an underrated United legend from the early 90s.
33) Juan Mata
A stylish playmaker who has grown in confidence since moving from Chelsea, Juan Mata has everything in his locker to become a Reds legend.
32) Nicky Butt
One of the many homegrown players that made it big at United, Nicky Butt was never quite first choice, but played a key role in many title wins, as well as the 1999 treble.
31) Darren Fletcher
Similarly to Butt, Darren Fletcher was not always first choice, but became a fan favourite for his committed displays and eye for the occasional important goal.
30) Mark Hughes
Slightly past his best when the Premier League era started, but Mark Hughes is still among the club’s finest players of recent times.
29) Robin van Persie
A great striker who only really had one great season, Robin van Persie helped deliver the title in Ferguson’s final year from the club, joining in a controversial move from rivals Arsenal.
28) Park Ji-Sung
One of the hardest workers seen for a long time in a United shirt, Park Ji-Sung was one of Ferguson’s favourites for the big games.
27) Dimitar Berbatov
A real luxury player, Dimitar Berbatov had some superb moments in a United shirt, but certainly could have done more before becoming surplus to requirements.
26) Nani
Frustratingly inconsistent, but Nani had some outstanding moments for United in a trophy-laden career at the Theatre of Dreams.
25) Teddy Sheringham
A smart signing to replace Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham made an instant impact at United and played a key part in their treble win in 99 with a goal in the Champions League final.
24) Michael Carrick
Hugely underrated by most fans, including many United supporters, Michael Carrick has been a terrific servant to the club with some quietly brilliant midfield performances.
23) David de Gea
A world class goalkeeper who may soon be on the move, David de Gea is one of several greats to start between the sticks for the Red Devils.
22) Steve Bruce
A brilliant defender who scored the goal that coined ‘Fergie time’, Steve Bruce is undoubtedly one of the most important players of the United dominance in the Premier League era.
21) Denis Irwin
An outstanding left-back who won it all with United, Denis Irwin is a long-serving club legend and all-time great of the English game.
20) Ruud van Nistelrooy
One of the best goalscorers ever seen at United, Ruud van Nistelrooy was absolutely lethal in the penalty area in a relatively short spell with the club, helping them to the title in 2003.
19) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
A hugely popular player who was perfectly content being a super-sub, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was an underrated talent who struck that famous winner to seal the treble in 1999.
18) Andrew Cole
One of the best strikers in Premier League history, Andrew Cole had an immense career at United with 121 goals in total.
17) Dwight Yorke
Almost unplayable in the treble-winning season, Dwight Yorke was a terrific talent who struck up a telepathic understanding with Cole up front.
16) Edwin van der Sar
An inspired signing late on in his career, Ewin van der Sar became a great goalkeeper for United and restored the glory years at Old Trafford.
15) Jaap Stam
World class at United and let go far too soon, Jaap Stam proved hard to replace after a series of superbly strong performances for the club.
14) Patrice Evra
One of the best left-backs in the world for many years, Patrice Evra was a hugely popular figure at Old Trafford with many performances full of guts and spirit.
13) Gary Neville
One of the best right-backs this country has produced, Gary Neville is one of the biggest of Manchester United legends, never failing to show his undying passion and desire for winning.
12) Nemanja Vidic
A truly exceptional centre-back at his best, Nemanja Vidic was a machine in defence and also a very capable goalscorer from the back, deservedly becoming United captain.
11) Wayne Rooney
Many will feel he should be higher, but Wayne Rooney seems justified at 11th place, with many great seasons but also a few where he’s gone missing.
10) Paul Ince
A powerhouse midfielder at his best, Paul Ince was a major player for United in the early Ferguson era, though he risked the wrath of the fans by playing for Liverpool later in his career.
9) Bryan Robson
Another great midfielder and leader, Bryan Robson is an old favourite of Ferguson’s and certainly a modern great of English football as a whole.
8) David Beckham
Some feel he’s overrated, some will say he’s underrated, but there’s no doubt David Beckham was consistently excellent in his United career, combining quality with desire to win a whole host of honours.
7) Rio Ferdinand
One of the finest defenders of his generation, Rio Ferdinand was world class for much of his career and never let the club down in its pursuit of greatness.
6) Peter Schmeichel
A phenomenal goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel has to go down as one of Ferguson’s best signings for United, joining for a bargain fee and becoming an inspirational shot-stopper and leader at the back.
5) Cristiano Ronaldo
Unplayable by the time he left United, Cristiano Ronaldo may have peaked at Real Madrid, but the Portuguese superstar almost single-handedly won three titles for the Reds in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
4) Eric Cantona
A player who changed United forever, Eric Cantona was an ingenius signing from rivals Leeds and is now regarded as one of the best ever at Old Trafford.
3) Paul Scholes
A midfielder like no other, Paul Scholes had wonderful technique and intelligence that is rare for an English player, and spent his entire career with United to win every trophy under the sun.
2) Roy Keane
Despite the manner of his exit, Roy Keane is one of the biggest of United legends for his role in the ’99 treble win, and for his amazing ability to boss a game all on his own and to rally the troops.
1) Ryan Giggs
Maybe not the most talented player on this list, but Ryan Giggs gave everything to United in a glorious career full of wondergoals, big-game ability and leadership.
