20 Greatest Man United Players of All Time According to Fans [Ranked]

Things may be rough at Manchester United right now, but that doesn’t take away from the incredibly decorated history that the club boasts. The Red Devils have won a record 13 Premier League titles and 68 trophies in total making them one of the most successful teams in all of football. To reach the levels of success that they have in the past, they can thank managers like Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Those managers, though, wouldn’t have been half as successful if it wasn’t for the exceptional talent that they had at their disposal. United have been blessed with some of the greatest footballers on the planet over the years and their fans recently ranked the 20 best players to represent the team at one time or another via Ranker.

It’s a sign of the times at Old Trafford right now that no one from the current United side make the list, but it’s a real who’s who of elite talent. Take a look at the top 20 below.

10 Eric Cantona

Man United appearances: 185

He might not have had as long a stint in Manchester as some of the other players on this list, but Eric Cantona’s impact during his time with United is as great as almost anyone’s. The Frenchman joined the Red Devils in the early 1990s for just £1.2m from Leeds United and became one of the biggest bargains in Premier League history.

He was a maverick on the football pitch and took pleasure in tormenting opposition defences. He played just 185 games for United under Ferguson, but he recorded 145 goal contributions during that time and won a handful of trophies before his early retirement in 1997.

9 Peter Schmeichel

Man United appearances: 398

The third and final goalkeeper on this list, there was no doubt at all that Peter Schmeichel would be the highest-ranked shot-stopper. He’s considered the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history and there won’t be many who take issue with that. The Dane was a phenom in between the sticks and often proved unbeatable during his time at Old Trafford.

He was instrumental to their success during the 1990s and they spent years struggling to find someone capable of stepping into his shoes once he departed. Schmeichel played 112 times for United in the Premier League, but that was more than enough to earn a spot as one of their greatest ever players in the eyes of fans.

8 Rio Ferdinand

Man United appearances: 455

These days, Rio Ferdinand is a controversial figure and his work as a television pundit covering football has rubbed some fans the wrong way, but during his career, he was a beloved defender at Old Trafford and was one of the best players in his position. He was a rock at the back for over a decade and alongside Nemanja Vidic, he formed one of the greatest centre-back partnerships in Premier League history.

There were few forwards who could get the better of Ferdinand and his ability to play out from the back and carry the ball forward set him apart from most defenders during his era.

7 Ryan Giggs

Man United appearances: 963

Following his retirement, it feels like Ryan Giggs’ legacy has been somewhat forgotten. No one recorded more assists in the Premier League than the dazzling Welshman did during his career. Giggs was pivotal to United’s reign of dominance throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He played 973 games for the Red Devils, scoring 168 goals and assisting a further 268 during that time.

Giggs won all 13 of United’s Premier League titles with them and it’s no coincidence that they’ve failed to get their hands on the trophy again following his retirement in 2014. The winger was a creative force for the Red Devils and they haven’t had a player like him since.

6 George Best

Man United appearances: 470

One of the most beloved United players of all time, George Best was a magician on the football pitch, capable of doing things with a football that very few in the beautiful game have ever been able to replicate. The Irishman’s antics off the pitch eventually hindered his output and performance on it, but for the most part, he was an exceptional talent and one of the best players on the planet during his prime.

Despite leaving United in 1974, and retiring a decade later in 1984, Best is still fondly remembered by fans today. Even those who didn’t get to watch him play in real time are aware of how special he was and it’s earned him a spot as the sixth best United player of all time in the eyes of the club’s supporters.

5 Roy Keane

Man United appearances: 479

The way his United career came to an end may have left a sour note in how the club’s fans viewed Roy Keane for a while, but two decades later, things have come full circle and they all appreciate just how important he was in the middle of the park for the club. The Irishman is a no-nonsense character, never afraid to speak his mind, and while that’s made him one of the most entertaining and popular television pundits, it also made him one of the toughest footballers on the pitch.

His relationship with Ferguson may have broken down to the point of no repair, but that doesn’t take away how important Keane was at Old Trafford and their supporters are aware of that.

4 David Beckham

Man United appearances: 394

Another star whose relationship with Ferguson broke down at the end of his time at Old Trafford, David Beckham is one of the greatest English footballers ever and his playmaking ability ensured he could unlock even the tightest of defences with his incredible vision and his knack for always making the right pass.

Beckham shone on the right side of midfield and he could cross a ball unlike anyone else in football during his career. He was a natural leader and his role in the United side and their success during the 1990s and early 2000s cannot be overstated.

3 Wayne Rooney

Man United appearances: 559

As United’s all-time leading goalscorer, it should come as no real surprise that Wayne Rooney was selected as one of the greatest players in the club’s history by their fans. The Englishman burst onto the scene as a teenager and torched defenders for the majority of his career. He moved into a deeper midfield role as his time at Old Trafford progressed, but he still managed to score an incredible amount of goals for the Red Devils.

He transitioned into a midfield role seamlessly too. He became an excellent playmaker and his combination of power and speed made him a nightmare for opponents to deal with.

2 Paul Scholes

Man United appearances: 716

There’s often been a debate as to whether Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard or Paul Scholes is the best Premier League midfielder of all-time. In the eyes of United fans, the latter is the second best player in their history. He didn’t score goals as frequently as Lampard, or create the iconic moments that Gerrard had at Liverpool, but Scholes was an excellent midfielder and he was a visionary in the middle of the park.

There was seemingly no one he couldn’t find with a pass on the football pitch. The fact he retired and then returned to the beautiful game to help his side win the Premier League title is a testament to how important he was to the Red Devils and Ferguson.

1 Bobby Charlton

Man United appearances: 746

Named the greatest United player of all time by the club’s fans, Bobby Charlton isn’t someone many modern fans will have had the chance to watch live, but they’re all still very much aware of how special a talent he was during his time on the pitch. He was a leader and after starting out his career on the flank, he moved into a more central role and he excelled in it.

Known for his pinpoint passing ability and his unbelievably powerful shot, the Englishman was a real difference-maker for United and their fans have recognised him as the greatest player to ever represent the club. What an honour.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and accurate as of 23/05/2025.