Your Top 5 United Players Of All Time

Diver

....and nobody likes a diver.
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I was thinking about doing this, (probably been done before but i haven't seen it).

Basically compile a list of your top 5 united players. You can base your list on whatever you want. I'm going to go with players i've actually seen play so i'll be leaving out Best, Charlton, Law, Edwards, Robson, etc. You don't have to do a write up but if you're bored or want to it'd be nice.

1. Eric Cantona

"Le King" - For me Eric Cantona summed up everything that i admire in a sports personality, not just brilliant on the pitch but equally outstanding off of it. Trying not to sound artsy fartsy but Cantona was so versatile & phenomenal that watching him reminded you that football can be more than a game and actually be an artform. Le God didn't just have the ability to score game winning goals he also was a very selfless player who would rather pass than shoot if he thought it was the best option. The man was arrogant but he had the ability to back it up and did so frequently. He was a born leader & his style was emulated around the world. I'm sure at least 99% of the cafe at one point stuck their collars up whilst taking a penalty with mates, I still do to this day. "Oh Ah Cantona".

2. Peter Schmeichel

"The Great Dane" - Peter Schmeichel was and remains the best and most consistent goalkeeper i've ever seen. His loud/no-nonsense "shout at whoever the feck he wants" approach assured him as not only a technically sound keeper but as a leader and organiser of the team. The way in which he organised a defence was a true testament to his abilities. Even if the opposition attack broke through I normally would be unusually calm as Schmeichel was the sort of keeper who was so good that it was like having two keepers between the sticks. Even though he joined City (which left a bitter feeling) to me he is the greatest keeper i've ever seen and a true United & footballing legend and we had a hell of a hard time replacing him with dodgy keepers (until Van Der Sar came). If i could have any ex player back Peter Schmeichel would definately be in with a good shout.

3. Paul Scholes

"The Ginger Prince" - I always felt that our Paul was underrated up until the last few seasons were people seem to have started realising what a truly brilliant player we possess. Within the top passers of a ball i've witnessed, he could knock an orange off a post from 50 yards away if he wanted to. Besides being a brilliant passer of the ball and a team player he is also capable of scoring blasting screamers, i identify the "SHOOT" chant with Scholes. As an Englishman it's a shame that he retired so early from international football especially when he obviously still to this day has more to offer than most of the midfielders picked (arguably all), but in another selfish Man United way it's a good thing allowing him to focus 100% of his brilliance with us. Just turned 35 and he's showed little sign of slowing down. "Paul Scholes He Scores Goals".

4. Ole Gunnar Solskjær

"The Baby Faced Assassin" - A player like Ole restores your faith in football, what with players seeking a higher wage package or showing more interest in their own personal gain as apposed to their teams, you had Solskjær. Ever humble he would never kick up a fuss if he was placed on the bench, hell he became so good as a super sub you always had confidence if the game was dragging that Ole would come off the bench around the 60/70th minute mark and we'd get something from the game. He is a true ambassador of the game & a role model for any young footballer. It's fairly rare that a footballer comes along and creates a mutual bond with the fans in such a way Ole did & still has to this day. The footballing world could do with alot more Ole Gunnar Solskjærs.

5. Ryan Giggs

"The Welsh Wizard" - Ryan Giggs is a Manchester United & a footballing legend. Our greatest servant & thinking about it, he's quite scary at how consistent he continues to be, whilst other players his age can't hack it at the top level or some simply can't hack it anymore at any level, Giggsy is still in contention amongst the best players in the world. He has skills that you have to be born with, you can't learn. His awareness and postioning are amonsgt the best i've seen. His legs have gone a bit but that's understandable as in his earlier years his pace was at times plain frightening. Having said that he still has the occasional boost of speed harking back to earlier years. Following his career has been an absolute pleasure and with any justice / common sense we will all soon be calling him Sir, lord knows if any player deserves such an accolade it's our Ryan Giggs.
 

Ruud_boy_10

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Ruud
Beckham
Giggs
Irwin
Scholes

This is based on my favourite players, not the best.
 

Raees

Pythagoras in Boots
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Cantona: After Maradona, probably my second favourite footballer and the guy who got me into football in such a big way. Everything about him was just inspirational and he provided so many legendary moments.. as well as being a martial arts legend in his own right.


Beckham: Owen and Beckham were two players that I loved as a youngster..and despite his sending off v Argentina which had me in tears, Becks could do no wrong in my eyes and I would always spending time in the park perfecting my crosses/free kicks in my attempt to be just like him.


Bobby Charlton: Obviously never had the pleasure of watching him live, but he's the player who embodies United more than any other player. A great man, great player whos dedicated all of his adult life to the cause of United. His exploits for England earnt him world-wide fame and he is held in such high esteem by all followers of football.


Wayne Rooney:

I loved Wayne from the moment he burst through with everton and made his name for England..all the way to his debut with fenerbache and the excitement he has provided over the years. One of the reasons why I can be harsh with him is that I expect so much from him.. he's the one current United player I would admit having a slight bias for as he reminds me so much of Cantona.



Giggs/Best: hard for me to seperate them even though Giggsy is the one I've witnessed in my lifetime, wingers..United have always been known for their great wingers and these two were the best dribblers we've had the pleasure to witness at United. In many ways they are such a contrast of each other but in other ways they are practically the same beast...most joyous when they are twisting defenders this way and that.


 

anything about now

MUFC lad living in a matriel world
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Cantona
Beckham
Giggs
Keane
Ronaldo

That i've seen... very harsh to leave out Scholesy and Schmeichel though. But Keano was the heartbeat.
 

Nearco

youth team player
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Players i've seen:

1. Cantona
2. Robson
3. Keane
4. Hughes
5. Giggs
 

mjs020294

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From the mid 70s:

1 - Robson
2 - Ronaldo
3 - Scholes
4 - Keane
5 - Schmeichel

All time:


1 - Best
2 - Charlton
3 - Robson
4 - Ronaldo
5 - Edwards
 

gerrydaly

Praying to have a guy on top of him
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I've seen Best, Law and Charlton. If I was to make a list without them on it, it'd be:

Robson
Keane
Ronaldo
Giggs
Schmeichel

I'd love to include Jimmy Greenhoff and Martin Buchan, but not sure they should make a list of best players.
 

Wumminator

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I started going the year after Cantona had retired, and only saw him at Alex's testimonial I think, but the five favorites I've seen:

1. Giggs.
2. Keane
3. Rooney
4. Scholes
5. I'm going to have to say Ronaldo, but it doesn't feel right.
 

a_devil_inside

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my 5 would probably keep changing but Giggs and Beckham would still remain in there.

Other names include....
Brown, Schmeichel, Fortune, Bruce, McClair, Keane, Kanchelskis, Sharpe, Ferdinand, Solskjaer

don't think i'd pick Cantona, Scholes in my top 5
Ronaldo definitely wouldn't be in, Rooney maybe
 

Diver

....and nobody likes a diver.
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my 5 would probably keep changing but Giggs and Beckham would still remain in there.

Other names include....
Brown, Schmeichel, Fortune, Bruce, McClair, Keane, Kanchelskis, Sharpe, Ferdinand, Solskjaer

don't think i'd pick Cantona, Scholes in my top 5
Ronaldo definitely wouldn't be in, Rooney maybe
Not bashing your selection but i am intrigued why Fortune is rated amongst your favourite united players?
 

FlawlessThaw

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Best players:

Cantona
Schmeichel
Scholes
Keane
Ronaldo

Only Cantona would feature in my top 5 favourite players though which is:

Cantona
Giggs
Gary Neville
Solskjaer
Rooney