A question of technique: Who have been our best?

Fortitude

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Let's avoid the 'what is technique,' question because, unless you're being obtuse, you know what it encompasses (really!). Anyway, once in a while, an absolute gem of player with silken touch, control and what have you comes along. Some are specialists, as in, superfluous in their forte, but may come up short in other areas, whilst you then have those whose every action is pretty much sublime from a technical aspect.

I guess we can break it down into technical mastery for a: defender; a midfielder and forwards as you're obviously not going to see the same kind of roundedness in a defender or forward as you might expect from a midfielder, but at the same time, there's a difference between a Ferdinand, Buchan or Blind and a Smalling, Bruce or May.

Perhaps we haven't had enough ridiculously technical defenders to make a discussion out of, but what about midfield?

Midfielders (in order)

Bobby Charlton: For me, the best player England have ever produced, outright. Arguably United's greatest ever, and if not, always in the conversation, also the first name on the teamsheet for midfield in an all-time United or England xi. He wasn't a flambouyant, show-offy player, but everything he did do was immaculate, so much so, I don't think it is given the credit warranted rather than being taken for granted or reduced to the power of his shots. Ambidextrous - able to pass and shoot with both feet; superfluous with his first touch into his second action; tight dribbling at pace and one of the best shooters there has ever been.




David Beckham: Difficult to separate he and Scholes - could probably turn them around on another day. Beckham, hard-pressed not to call him the best crosser of a football there has even been, but outside of that, his passing, first touch, control, shooting and execution were always absolutely top notch. He - like all our midfielders - isn't going to be compared to the footballing magicians from other nations, but that's besides the point - Beckham was still exceptional from a technical standpoint.




It's annoyingly difficult to find a technical video of Beckham as Youtubers focus all attention only on his goals, passes or crosses. If anyone has a better vid of his technical ability, please post it.

Paul Scholes: Another outstanding technician, who I'm guessing would be #1 for midfielders for a fair amount of posters. Scholes was the barometer from which all our midfielders were judged once he went deeper and became the focal point of the team. As I said for Beckham, it's difficult to say one is better than the other in terms of technique as their areas of expertise have a mild overlap (interesting enough, they both played deep in the latter stages of their career, but were obviously complementary at the time they were both at United), but generally, you're probably going to have a preference for a particular aspect. Scholes, no thrills, really, just an expert in, and with, his usage of the ball from the first touch, to the second, and any others he opted for.




Paul Pogba: "Boo! Hiss! Should be shot out of a cannon with his brothers and agent!" Still, could very arguably be top of this list for midfielders!




Arnold Muhren: Who? Yeah, Youtube thought so, too. Difficult to find footage of him, which is annoying.




Forwards (in order)

How do you differentiate the technical levels of Best, Law, Berbatov, Van Persie, Zlatan, Yorke, C.Ronaldo, Cantona and an on-form Rooney? Initially, 'technique' associated with a United forward instantly draws up association with Berbatov and Best, for me, and then the rest filter in for different aspects. Hardly a scientific approach... but I'll stick to my guns and go with.

George Best: When your close control and manipulation of a ball is drawn up comfortably in conversation alongside the likes of Maradona and Messi, nothing more needs to be said.




Dimitar Berbatov: Of the rest, I can't help but be drawn to Berbatov, which perhaps displays some bias, because his shooting technique - for example - wasn't a patch on the likes of Law's or Van Persie's. In terms of close control and first touch, however, he's not out of place being compared to Zidane and the like.




Zlatan Ibrahimovitch: Perhaps he shouldn't be in this list? A single season at full fitness not being enough of a body of work, but obviously expanded to a career, he's one of the technical marvels of modern football.




Robin van Persie: If you're a purist, he could well be top of this list given his array of actual striking techniques and acumen is on another level to all those who precede. As a fondly remembered modern era player, he doesn't need an introduction.




Denis Law: Many of Law's goals came by way of his instantaneous touch into sudden strikes that offset defenders. His technique is the great understated, but if you watch enough footage of him, it becomes apparent he was not just a great goal scorer, but a special player.




As I did 5 midfielders, I'll draw a line with 5 forwards, too. Yorke, C.Ronaldo, Cantona, Giggs and Rooney would round out a top 10 for me, which is weird as it leaves Ruud out. Not that it really matters as I don't think any of them make the top 5 cut when all is said and done.

Back to the initial question: Taking 5 players from whichever shortlist is in your head, who round out your own list? Additionally, should there be one list or would you separate midfielders from forwards?
 

Snuffkin

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Forwards:
RVP
RVN
Midfielders :
Robson
Scholes
Wilkins
 

Foxbatt

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Wilkins was a very underated player. He could do a lot things too and was over shadowed by Robson.
 

thepolice123

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No Giggs?


From a technical viewpoint, his performance against City was amazing. It was like a prime Figo performance. He was 36 and had nothing left except his technical abilities. It had everything, dribbling, superb crossing and through passes. One great moment was when he skinned both Richards and Ireland.
 

cyril C

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Wilkins was a very underated player. He could do a lot things too and was over shadowed by Robson.
The only memory of Wilkins to me, was someone constantly making sideway 50Y pass. OK this is what Fred is doing nowadays but 30 years ago to a young fan, that was too indirect.
 

Web of Bissaka

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*not all are the best but all are technical type of players.*

I) Midfield:
All-around Tech
- Scholes, Giggs, Blind, Mata
Specialised Tech
- Beckham, Carrick, Veron

II) Forward
- Berbatov, Nani, Ronaldo, RVP, Martial

*Ronaldo is a Total All-rounder in Everything*

III) Keeper and Defender
- VDS, DDG, Rio, Blind, Brown, Lindelof, Irwin

*Skillfull vs Technical
I differentiate between skillful and technical players, some players are more towards either one than the other, despite having both skills and techs (Di Maria and Pogba for examples can be specialised tech type but they are slightly more skillfull player type). Best way to identify tech players is if they are limited physically.*
 

thepolice123

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PL era only (no order)
*not all are the best but all are technical type of players.*

I) Midfield:
All-around Tech
- Scholes, Giggs, Blind, Mata
Specialised Tech
- Beckham, Carrick, Veron

II) Forward
- Berbatov, Nani, Ronaldo, RVP, Martial

*Ronaldo is a Total All-rounder in Everything*

III) Keeper and Defender
- VDS, DDG, Rio, Blind, Brown, Lindelof, Irwin

*Skillfull vs Technical
I differentiate between skillful and technical players, some players are more towards either one than the other, despite having both skills and techs (Di Maria and Pogba for examples can be specialised tech type but they are slightly more skillfull player type). Best way to identify tech players is if they are limited physically.*
Brown's technical ability looked pretty good at the start but got progressively worse as he became older. Personally I think Evans is better than Brown and Lindelof. His touch is better and his passing is significantly better.
 

amolbhatia50k

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From the players I've seen, I'll go with Scholes. Berbatov and Mata have/had great first touches and Ibrahimovic's shooting technique was ace. But Scholes had the complete package - first touch, passing, shooting etc. His only rival would be RVP but I'd place Scholes ahead of him purely because of the range of his technical excellence.
 

Son

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I would add Rooney in the technical category too. If Beckham is in it Rooney absolutely should be too. He wasn’t a dribbler but could do everything else.

Veron oozed class in possession of the ball & wasn’t too far behind Scholes in the passing game.

Di Maria is ridiculously talented and in fact one of the best players we’ve ever owned technically speaking. Awful human being however but brilliant at football.
 

P-Nut

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Of the current squad, Martials dribbling technique is very top level.

Pogba ball control in Central midfield probably is only matched by the very best in Modric.

Wan Bissaka is very technical with his tackling. Never seen a defender go to ground so much but always come out with the ball.
 

elmo

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I would add Rooney in the technical category too. If Beckham is in it Rooney absolutely should be too. He wasn’t a dribbler but could do everything else.

Veron oozed class in possession of the ball & wasn’t too far behind Scholes in the passing game.

Di Maria is ridiculously talented and in fact one of the best players we’ve ever owned technically speaking. Awful human being however but brilliant at football.
Rooney is a weird one, his first touch was inconsistent especially as he got older.
 

InfiniteBoredom

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First touch: Berbatov
Long range passing: Scholes
Short/medium range passing: Keane
Crossing: Becks
Free kick: Becks
Shooting: RvN
Heading: Cristiano Ronaldo
Dribbling: Best/young Giggs.
Tackling: Vidic.
 

Dante

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Rooney's touch gets underrated and Berbatov's touch gets overrated. They weren't that far apart.

In Rooney's case, he did everything at 100mph. He'd rarely only ever try to trap the ball ... he'd often try to trap the ball, while running at full pelt, while shrugging off an opponent, while trying to turn from the next defender, while trying to get himself into space for a shot. Yes, he'd get it wrong sometimes (particularly as he got older and the pace/strength he needed to do so began to abandon him). But the way Rooney played the game made the level of difficulty of his football that much higher.

Berbatov had a great touch if taken in isolation. But he played the game at a much slower pace and that made life easier for him in general. His touch was much easier on the eye, though. I'll give him that.

There were certainly things Berbatov could do with the ball that Rooney could only ever dream of. But the opposite is also true.
 

Skills

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Van Persie's technique I think is a different gravy to anyone I've seen at the club. Not only his touch and ability to receive the ball in challenging situations, but his shooting technique is also off the charts too. He could smash a ball in with minimal backlift - that's pretty special.


This is my favourite Van Persie goal which sums up the two things I described. The FA cup goal against West ham is also another example.
 

Rood

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Surprised that Cantona doesn't get a mention in this thread - he could pull off all sorts of moves that 99% of players couldn't even dream of
 

thepolice123

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Rooney's touch gets underrated and Berbatov's touch gets overrated. They weren't that far apart.

In Rooney's case, he did everything at 100mph. He'd rarely only ever try to trap the ball ... he'd often try to trap the ball, while running at full pelt, while shrugging off an opponent, while trying to turn from the next defender, while trying to get himself into space for a shot. Yes, he'd get it wrong sometimes (particularly as he got older and the pace/strength he needed to do so began to abandon him). But the way Rooney played the game made the level of difficulty of his football that much higher.

Berbatov had a great touch if taken in isolation. But he played the game at a much slower pace and that made life easier for him in general. His touch was much easier on the eye, though. I'll give him that.

There were certainly things Berbatov could do with the ball that Rooney could only ever dream of. But the opposite is also true.
Rooney definitely had a good first touch. You don't make it to the very top without a good first touch. Its probably the most important skill for a footballer. Rooney's main problem is his consistency and bottom level. When he is ofform he is terrible at everything including his first touch.

 

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Surprised that Cantona doesn't get a mention in this thread - he could pull off all sorts of moves that 99% of players couldn't even dream of
I was expecting to see him included for sure. Some of his touches were ridiculous.
 

Dante

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Rooney definitely had a good first touch. You don't make it to the very top without a good first touch. Its probably the most important skill for a footballer. Rooney's main problem is his consistency and bottom level. When he is ofform he is terrible at everything including his first touch.

When Rooney is standing still, his technique is more or less as good as anyone's.
 

Art Vandelay

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I was expecting to see him included for sure. Some of his touches were ridiculous.
Not just the touches, but the imagination and vision to actually put them to use. Other players could possibly do some of the things he did in training or with a lot of time and space. Eric did them with players on him and actually put them to use
 

iHicksy

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For me from players i've seen.

Berbatov
RvP
Scholes
Beckham
Ronaldo (really no one?)
Cantona (Same?)
 

Kostur

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Don't think you can put Pogba in and at the same time don't include Mata whose technique is, imo, better. And if it's not, it's more consistent for sure.
 

11101

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Barely any mention of Van Nistelrooy so far.

Forget his finishing, I struggle to think of any attacker in or out of the club who matched his ability to put his first touch exactly where he wanted it for a shot.
 

Gehrman

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For me I think its George Best. Charlton said he was the most naturally gifted footballer he'd ever seen. It's kind of hard to leave out Ronaldo as well.

 

lsd

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Has to be Best at everything then Ronaldo
 

meamth

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Well, this is such a difficult one to put out.

Technical ability is one thing, but you can also be technical if you mastered the basics, like Scholes. Scholes is quoted many times to be untouchable, but it wasn't flashy as others on the list. But in terms of being technical? He is the most perfect.

Manchester United is blessed with those players in history books. If I have to pick just 5 in each positions, here it is (I can only put out the modern ones because I've watched them play):

Defenders:
1. Ferdinand
2. Maguire
3. Irwin
4. Evra
5. Shaw

Midfielders:
1. Scholes
2. Giggs
3. Beckham
4. Pogba
5. Keane (completely underrated)

Forwards:
1. RVP
2. Ronaldo
3. Berba
4. Ibra
5. Ruud Van Nistelrooy
 

Gehrman

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Well, this is such a difficult one to put out.

Technical ability is one thing, but you can also be technical if you mastered the basics, like Scholes. Scholes is quoted many times to be untouchable, but it wasn't flashy as others on the list. But in terms of being technical? He is the most perfect.

Manchester United is blessed with those players in history books. If I have to pick just 5 in each positions, here it is (I can only put out the modern ones because I've watched them play):

Defenders:
1. Ferdinand
2. Maguire
3. Irwin
4. Evra
5. Shaw

Midfielders:
1. Scholes
2. Giggs
3. Beckham
4. Pogba
5. Keane (completely underrated)

Forwards:
1. RVP
2. Ronaldo
3. Berba
4. Ibra
5. Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Scholes couldn't dribble well and tackle though which is also part of the basics. He was good at not needing to dribble though, but you can look at Iniesta and a see that it opens a whole other dimension to his style.
 
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Jeppers7

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Threads a mess.....we’re talking about masters of technique, not great players.

people moaning that Rooney should be in, or putting Keane in or Carrick even more laughably. Two of those were great players, one was decent but that doesn’t make them highly technical players. Being highly technical doesn’t necessarily make you a great player either. Berbatov is a prime example, a technical wizard but wasn’t a United great.

There’s lists of greatest players elsewhere this is a specialist list.

From what I’ve seen :-

Berbatov
Cantona
Ronaldo
Mata
Pogba
RVP

We’ve not had many, we don’t tend to use them, or at least use them well, the likes of Kagawa and Mikhi perhaps Di Maria too are worth a mention.

A player who springs to mind when I think of this type of player is Juan Roman Riquelme. That type of technical master, even if not an all time great.
 

Rozay

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David Beckham has the best technique (touch, passing, striking etc) in the history of football.
 

alexthelion

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Defenders:

Buchan
Rio
McGrath
Blind
Irwin

Midfield:

Charlton
Beckham
Scholes
Veron
Muhren

Forwards:

Best
Cantona
Berbatov
Yorke
Ruud van Nistelrooy
 

Tomuś

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No Giggs?


From a technical viewpoint, his performance against City was amazing. It was like a prime Figo performance. He was 36 and had nothing left except his technical abilities. It had everything, dribbling, superb crossing and through passes. One great moment was when he skinned both Richards and Ireland.
Great shout. I absolutely loved that performance of his. Ended City's defence in the second half.