Greatest ever player under Sir Alex - Results

In 1986 a proud Scotsman joined Manchester United, he not only awoke a sleeping giant but he turned the club into a colossus. In about half a decade Manchester United became a cup winning machine winning trophy after trophy after trophy. More than 50% of the clubs trophy cabinet was won under Sir Alex.

During this time Sir Alex Ferguson blessed the fans by playing some of the greatest footballers ever seen at the club, and in some respects, the world. In July 2009, some 2 decades after Sir Alex Ferguson joined Manchester United, the users of redcafe.net try to find out who was or is the best player player to ever get a game under the great man.

How the points were distributed
10th on the list: 1 point
9th on the list: 2 points
8th on the list: 3 points
and so on... The points were then tallied up to get a definitive top ten.

Any messages sent with just a singe player were not counted.

You might notice, that the list has been slightly expanded to 11.

Number 11

Denis Irwin

Appearances: 529
Goals: 29
Debut: 25 Aug 1990 v Coventry City (H) League

Signing for 625k Denis Irwin has good claim to being the bargain of the century. Mr. Dependable would spend more than a decade as a fixture in the main team. His performances never dropped and he won every single trophy in site. Irwin could attack as good as he could defend and nowadays he is associated with MUTV where he gives his "non-biased" analysis on The big Match with Denis Irwin. Irwin was also a part of the 1994 Irish world squad under Jack Charlton.

Profile on manutd.com
Profile on Redcafe.net archives

Trophies:

Premier League : 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1997, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01
FA Cup : 1994, 1996, 1999
League Cup : 1992
UEFA Champions League : 1999
Cup Winners' Cup : 1991


Denis Irwin scored 97 points.

Number 10

Rio Ferdinand

Appearances: 309
Goals: 7
Debut: 27 Aug 2002 v Zalaegerszeg (H)

Even though he won the league at his first go it took a while for the career of Rio Ferdinand to take off at Manchester United. Indeed during his second season, just when Ferdinand was starting to showcase his best he was banned for eight months for missing a drugs test. This is despite the FA admitting that he did not take any drugs and despite a city player only being fined for a similar crime. When Rio came back things seemed to get worse, he spent the best part of a summer negotiating for a new contract and his performances on the pitch were horrific at best.

During 2006 however Ferdinand would start to prove his worth, starting with a magnificent last minute header against Liverpool he went from strength to strength and became arguably even more important than Ronaldo in the 2007/2008 season. Ferdinand was by far one of the best if not the best defender in the world during that season. The passage of time has seen him become into a mature and very capable player both on and off the pitch. The fans have come to appreciate his unique way of defending and the 30 million paid for him seems quite justified.

Rio was also a part of the 1998, 2002 and 2006 world cup squads for England. Interestingly Ferdinand would have played in 1998 had it not been for lovable Paul Ince feigning an injury because he wanted a rest.

Profile on manutd.com


Trophies:

Premier League : 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
League Cup : 2006, 2009
UEFA Champions League : 2008

Rio Ferdinand scored 102 points.

Number 9

David Beckham

Appearances: 356
Goals: 85
Debut: 23 Sept 1992 v Brighton(A)

In many ways Beckham is the shining light of the Manchester United academy. The passion of David Beckham during his time at Old Trafford for the club and for football was always evident. He would rise through the ranks of Old Trafford under the guidance of Sir Alex to become one of the best footballers in the world, his trademark delivery and set pieces were feared all around Europe and they were the inspiration for that come back in the Nou Camp. It seemed that Beckham was the perfect fit for the number seven shirt. He always seemed to comeback and prove the doubters wrong, in 1998 when he was ridiculed by the press for the defeat against Argentina. This was even though it was Batty and Ince who bottled their penalties and even though Simone would admit to diving. Beckham came back and produced arguably his best season in a Manchester United shirt. Nobody on the pitch seemed to work harder than David Beckham.

It is quite a shame the way things ended for Beckham, though his love for the club was never in doubt, Beckham rejected a contract in the summer after the famous boot fiasco and soon enough he was a member of the Galacticos. Beckham captined England in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, while he participated in the 1998 finals.

Trophies:

Premier League : 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2002–03
FA Cups: 1996, 1999
UEFA Champions League : 1999

David Beckham scored 145.5 points.

Number 8

Bryan 'Robbo' Robson

Appearances: 435
Goals: 99
Debut: 7 Oct 1981 v Spurs (A) League Cup

If Robson was a few years younger when Sir Alex joined Manchester United then there would have been very little doubt over who was the best player to ever serve under Sir Alex. Put is simply Captain Marvel lived up to his nickname, he was different class. Although he was plagued with injuries there was little doubt over who the best player at the club was during the 80's and very early 90's. Unfortunately for Robbo when the glory years were starting he was at the twilight of his career. Robson was worth his weight in gold, he had every quality you would ever want in a midfielder and you would be hard pressed to find a braver person, or better person to lead your team. Although he made few appearances in his final seasons at the club, Robson would win the Premier League with Manchester United. He was so good I had to include two pictures.



Proflie on manutd.com
proflie in redcafe.net archives

Trophies:

Premier League : 1992–93, 1993–94
FA CUP: 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994
League Cup : 1992
UEFA Cup Winners Cup : 1991

Bryan Robson scored 211 points.

Number 7 (or should it be our number 1 ?)

Peter Schmeichel

Appearances: 398
Goals: 1
Debut: 17 Aug 1991 v Notts County (H)

It is mind blowing that someone with the quality of The Great Dane is seventh on the list. Despite arriving unknown and for a very cheap price, Schmeichel was the perfect goalkeeper. He was everything you ever needed and wanted in a goalie. His achievements are amazing, nothing seemed beyond his reach. His temper was a trademark and the site of him shouting "instructions" at his defenders was a regular routine. Schmeichel was one of my favorite ever players purely for the sense of security he brought to the side, the ball going past the defense ? No problem, The Great Dane is there to clean up. Arguably his finest individual performance came against Newcastle in 1996, in that match he produced a save that was voted as the best in the first decade of the premier league. His career under United was perfect, in what many would say was his worst season at the club he won the treble. Not bad!

Schmeichel also famously won the European Championships with Denmark in 1992 producing one of the best individual performances ever during a single tournament.


proflie in redcafe.net archives

Trophies:

Premier League : 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996–97, 1998-99
FA CUP: 1994, 1996, 1999
League Cup : 1992
UEFA Champions League : 1999

The Great Dane scored 331 points.

Number 6

Paul Scholes

Appearances: 604
Goals: 142
Debut: 21 Sep 1994 v Port Vale (A)

For anyone who wants to see how highly Scholes is rated I ask you to take a look into this thread https://www.redcafe.net/f6/quotes-about-paul-scholes-211745/. Scholes is not the most glamors footballer but his genius is undoubted. A memory that always sticks out for me is his assist for Wayne Rooney vs Milan in 2007, a cheeky pass that so few would have tried came so naturally and instinctively to him. His talent is amazing, despite his small frame he is an amazing header of the ball and when played as a shadow striker his runs reeked of intelligence. In the 2002/2003 season he arguably played his best as a partner for Van Nistelrooy, but in my opinion videos of the 06/07 season should be shown to anyone requesting a master class on how to play as a central midfielder.

Trophies:

Premier League : 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
FA CUP: 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
League Cup : 2005–06, 2008–09
UEFA Champions League : 1998–99, 2007–08

Paul Scholes scored 353 points

Number 5

Cristiano Ronaldo

Appearances: 244
Goals: 118
Debut: 16 Aug 2003 v Bolton (H)

A few years ago, that utter waste of money, the fake Ronaldo, left Manchester United after the pressure of the media against him was too much following him betraying his team mate Wayne Rooney in the world cup. Ronaldo proved himself to be a one trick pony who couldn't mature to meet the hype.


All of the above, is of course bollocks.



This is the picture taken on the night when Ronaldo beat a record set by one George Best for most goals scored by a midfielder in the club. The first European player of the year since the days of the Busby Babes and the first World Player of the year at the club ever. Watch a match in the latter end of the 07/08 season and all you will hear is "Viva Ronaldo". Ronaldo didn't do himself many favors off the pitch, he didn't need to. On it he would perform again and again and again and he would swallow up all the individual and team trophies like they were ants and he was some sort of massive ant eater. Ronaldo's talent is unbelievable all of which makes it a great shame that he left United only at age of 24.

Trophies:

Premier League : 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
FA CUP: 2003–04
League Cup : 2005–06, 2008–09
UEFA Champions League : 2007–08

Cristiano Ronaldo scored 405 points.

Number 4

Ryan Giggs

Appearances: 805
Goals: 148
Debut: 02 Mar 1991 v Everton (H) League

This lad has made a fair amount of appearances and he he has won a lot of trophies. Ryan Giggs is a legend at Manchester United, his longevity is outstanding and his intelligence shines when he plays on the pitch. The lad is so good that his hair has started to regrow after it was falling out a few years ago. If it wasn't for his hamstring Giggs would surely be above and beyond appearance 850 right now. There is not much to be said about Giggsy that hasn't been already. It is hard to imagine going into a season without him, a testimony to how much he is attached to the club. Take a deep breath when you try to read his trophy list!

Oh and, don't buy his book!

Profile on manutd.com


Trophies:

Premier League : 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
FA Cup : 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
League Cup : 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09
UEFA Champions League : 1999,2008


Ryan Giggs scored 438 points.

Number 3

Roy Keane

Appearances: 480
Goals: 51
Debut: 7 Aug 1993 v Arsenal (N) Charity Shield

Vs Juve Roy Keane produced a performance that would rank amongst the night when Best destroyed Benfica. 2-0 down, the game personified Roy Keane and his sheer determination to excel. When out on the pitch you always knew what you would get out of Keano: 100%. Keane was loved by United fans for his frankness and for his attitude on the pitch, if the fans felt that someone wasn't performing then they could be sure that Keane would be give them something to think about. Once Roy grabbed a game by the scruff of the neck he choked the life ( and 3 points) out of it like nobody else or any other club mattered. After12 years he was the most successful skipper in the history of the club, the departure of Roy Keane meant a change in tactics - a signal showing just how highly he was rated by Sir Alex.

Profile on manutd.com


Trophies:

Premier League : 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
FA Cup : 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
UEFA Champions League : 1999 ( although Keane gave away his medal)

Roy Keane scored 494 points.

Number 2

Eric Cantona

In the spirit of the man.






















Le King scored 530 points.

1

Alright, I lied to you all. The greatest player to ever step foot on the pitch other than a reason for celebrating with Kidd is Cantona. I made Sir Alex number one simply because of his influence on the players and on the team. Look up at the ten above, where would they be without Sir Alex ? Where would Manchester United be without him ? The man has won so much for this club, that the day he goes sounds almost like a nightmare to us.

his accomplishments

Premier League: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
FA Cup: 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
League Cup: 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09
FA Charity/Community Shield: 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008
UEFA Champions League: 1998–99, 2007–08
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1990–91
UEFA Super Cup: 1991
Intercontinental Cup: 1999
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008

The best of the rest

11) Rooney: 86.5
12) Ruud: 59.5
13) Bruce: 57
14) 20LEGEND: 46
15) Hugues: 26

Some things that I noticed

Where would Ince be if he wasn't a scumbag ?

Many consider Evra to be better than Irwin, but Evra gets one vote

Rio leaves Vidic in his trail, Bruce does the same to Pallister

Would Yorke have been higher if he kept his focus ?

Where would Ronaldo have been two months ago ?


REDCAFE XI

GK: The Great Dane

RB: Neville
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Bruce
LB: Irwin

RW: Beckham
MF: Keane
MF: Scholes
LW: Giggs

CF: Cantona
CF: Ronaldo


Roll Call

From UNITED magazine in December 2006, a list of every single player up to then who had played for Manchester United under Fergie

http://img43.imageshack.us/i/rollcall1.jpg/
http://img23.imageshack.us/i/rollcallo.jpg/

Thank you for your participation!

Ixion said:

Becks and Rio are missing their FA Cup wins by the way.

Click to expand...

Rio has never won a FA cup!

Epic said:

He was suspended for the drug thing, wasn't he?

Click to expand...

Yep, must have been pretty hard to sit in the stands and watch.