Redcafe's favourite Manchester United players

Wumminator

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Hi all.

Recently I asked you to vote for your favourite Manchester United players of all time. We have previously done this before in 2016. Well I have roughly 215 replies and we have a new updated list. This time with over 100 players from our great history represented.

I will post these sporadically over the next few weeks.

List from last time:

56.Anderson
56.Crerand
56. Gregg
56.Rossi
56. Shaw
56. Sherringham
56. Stapleton
56. Tevez
50. Herrera
50. Martial
50. O'Shea
50. Pallister
50. Rafael
50. Schweinsteiger
48. Di Maria
48. Mata
45.Saha
45. Sharpe
45. Strachan
44. Yorke
42.Petrucci
42. Smith
39. Coppell
39. Kagawa
39.Nani
36.Buchan
36. Taylor
36.Valencia
34.Chicarito
34.Viollet
32.Van Persie
32. Whiteside
30. Carrick
30. McGrath
29.Berbatov
28. Kanchelskis
27. Bruce
26. Stam
25. Park
24.VDS
23. Cole
22.Hughes
21. Irwin
20. De Gea
19. Neville
18. Solskjaer
17. Rooney
16. Evra
15. Vidic
14. Edwards
13. Nistelrooy
12. Law
11.Ferdinand
10. Beckham
9. Robson
8. Schmeichel
7. Charlton
6. Best
5. Keane
4. Giggs
3. Cantona
2. Ronaldo
1. Scholes


Current List:
95.Gary Bailey
95. Wes Brown
95. Pat Crerand
95. Eric Djemba Djemba
95. Jonny Evans
95. Falcao
95. Marcus Rojo
95. Luke Shaw
95. Tommy Taylor
90. Clayton Blackmore
90. Darron Gibson
90. Antonio Valencia
90. Billy Meredith
90. Gordon McQueen
88. Nicky Butt
88. Alex Stepney
84. Gordon Strachan
84. Arthur Albiston
84. Tom Cleverley
84. Jack Rowley
81. Roger Byrne
81. Jimmy Greenhoff
81. Ronny Johnsen
78. Marouane Fellaini
78. Jesper Olsen
78. Charlie Roberts
77. Chris Smalling
73. Nemanja Matic
73. Johnny Carey
73. Alan Smith
73. Bastian Schweinsteiger
71. Mick Duxbury
71. Joe Spence
70. Nobby Stiles
66. Daley Blind
66. Mark Robins
66. Frank Stapleton
66. Sandy Turnbull
65. Louis Saha
62. Shinji Kagawa
62. Henrik Larsson
62.Sammy Mcllroy
61. Gordon Hill
59. Paul Ince
59. Jesse Lingard
57. John O’Shea
57. Carlos Tevez
56. Danny Welbeck
55. Steve Bruce
54. Juan Sebastian Veron.
53. Duncan Edwards
52. Ray Wilkins
51. Gary Pallister
50. Teddy Sheringham
49. Diego Forlan
48. Brian McClair
47. Steve Coppell
46. Stuart Pearson
45. Martin Buchan
44. Lee Sharpe
42. Anthony Martial
42. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
40. Juan Mata
40. Paul McGrath
39. Nani
37. Marcus Rashford
37. Dwight Yorke
36. Rafael da Silva
34. Anderson
34. Javier Hernandez
33. Norman Whiteside
32. Darren Fletcher
31. Jaap Stam
30. Denis Law
29. Mark Hughes
28. Andrei Kanchelskis
27. Dimitar Berbatov
26. Edwin Van Der Sar
25. Gary Neville
24. Robin Van Persie
23. Ander Herrera
22. Andy Cole
20. Park Ji Sung
20. Paul Pogba
19. Denis Irwin
18. Peter Schmeichel
17. Michael Carric
16. Bobby Charlton
15. George Best
14. Patrice Evra
13. Bryan Robson
12. Ruud Van Nistelrooy
11. Nemanja Vidic
10. Rio Ferdinand
9. Wayne Rooney
8. David de Gea
7. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
6. Roy Keane
5. David Beckham
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Ryan Giggs
2. Eric Cantona
1. Paul Scholes
 
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Wumminator

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Prior entries who have not made the cut last time.
(Brackets indicates last placement)
(56) Harry Gregg
(56) Guiseppe Rossi
(48) Angel Di Maria
(42) Davide Petrucci
(34) Dennis Viollet

 

Wumminator

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Joint 94th
(Nine Players)
One point each

94. Gary Bailey (N/A)

First Division Appearances -294
Overall Appearances - 375
First Division Goals - 0
Overall Goals - 0
Position - Goalkeeper


When Gary Bailey paid for his own bus fare in 1978 to get to a Manchester United trial, he couldn't have known that he would be starting off a decade long career at the club. Capped almost 300 times in the league, Bailey was a fantastic shot stopper and helped United to two FA Cup trophies during his time at the club.

94. Paddy Crerand (56)


First Division Appearances - 304
Overall Appearances - 397
First Division Goals - 10
Overall Goals - 15
Position - Midfield


Recently turning eighty years old, Crerand is still a fixture at Manchester United. Nowadays Paddy is known for his somewhat biased views evidenced on MUTV, however Paddy Crerand had a great playing career at Manchester United including 2 First Division titles and one Champions League trophy. Known for his hard hitting tackling, Crerand played an important part in a team featuring more famous names like Charlton and Best. Crerand is a fan of United's attacking style and once famously said, ""If the tacticians ever reached perfection, the result would be a 0-0 draw, and there would be no one there to see it,". A player who fully represents the United way and continued his career at the club in his role of Assistant Manager under manager Tommy Docherty.


94. Wes Brown (NA)

Premier League Appearances - 203 (29)
Overall Appearances - 313 (49)
Premier League Goals - 3
Overall Goals - 5
Position - Centre Back/Right Back


A product of Manchester United's famous academy, Wes Brown was a member of Manchester United's first team squad for fourteen years. Alex Ferguson once famously described him as the 'best natural defender' at the club and it was that natural talent that meant Wes Brown was a part in five title winning teams. Brown's highlight at the club came during the 2008 season, when he established himself as United's first choice right back. Playing in a Champions League final, Brown delivered a fantastic cross for Ronaldo to head home, a goal that would eventually help United secure their third Champions League trophy.
 
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Wumminator

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Joint 94th
(Nine Players)
One point each

94. Eric Djemba Djemba (NA)

First Division Appearances -13 (7)
Overall Appearances - 27 (12)
First Division Goals - 0
Overall Goals - 2
Position - Midfielder


Hmmm....I remember Eric Djemba Djemba making his debut in the 2003 Charity Shield, he looked hard hitting and lively on the ball. Unfortunately that was probably his best appearance in a United shirt. Not much was known about the man who signed from Nantes, but when he signed for Manchester United for 2003 many fans hoped he would be able to take over from the departed Roy Keane. Although he never hit the heights expected of him, he did once score a fantastic injury time goal against Leeds in the Carling Cup to get us through to the semi finals. Obviously his brief showing was enough to make him memorable to at least one Redcafe poster.

94. Jonny Evans (NA)


Premier League Appearances - 123 (8)
Overall Appearances - 179 (19)
Premier League Goals - 4
Overall Goals - 7
Position - Centre Back


Another product of United's youth system, Jonny Evans had a successful seven seasons playing for Manchester United. Part of the most successful Premier League defences of all time (an instrumental part in a defence that went 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal. Overall Jonny Evans won three Premier League trophies whilst playing for Manchester United and played almost 200 times for the c

94. Falcao (NA)

Premier League Appearances - 14 (12)
Overall Appearances - 17 (12)
Premier League Goals - 4
Overall Goals - 4
Position - Striker


One of the best strikers in the world, Falcao's signing for Louis Van Gaal promised much. Despite a few years in the wilderness with injury problems, the Colombian forward arrived into Manchester with massive hopes resting on his shoulders. Unfortunately, it seemed that the injuries that plagued the striker meant the Old Trafford faithful never saw the best of Radamel. In a career of 220 goals, he only managed to score four at Manchester United, but that was enough to earn him a (low) place on this list.
 

Wumminator

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There’s some ducking weird people at the bottom of this list.

Will try and knock them off this weekend. 102 players overall!
 

Amar__

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Paddy and Falcao in the same position. Redcafe hasn't aged well at all.
 

Wumminator

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Joint 94th
(Nine Players)
One point each

94. Marcus Rojo (NA)

Premier League Appearances -62 (8)
Overall Appearances - 97 (13)
Premier League goals - 1
Overall Goals - 2
Position - Left/Centre Back


We have had some absolutely fantastic technical players at Manchester United. However, sometimes we have a soft spot for the fiery hard as nails defender. That is why Marcus Rojo has sneaked onto this list. Despite making over 100 appearances for the Red Devils, Rojo has never established himself as a first team player and at times has struggled with injuries. Despite these setbacks, Rojo was a starter for United in the 2016 FA Cup final and has continued to be useful as a squad player.

94. Luke Shaw (56)


Premier League Appearances - 57 (6)
Overall Appearances - 85 (9)
Premier League Goals - 1
Overall Goals - 1
Position - Left Back


In 2016 Luke Shaw was an inaugural member of Redcafe's top United players One Point Club. At that point it was the start of his career at the club and he was seen as one of the world's most promising full backs. Here we are in 2019 and his career has not quite worked out as well as some might have hoped. Injury problems and a fractured relationship with former manager Jose Mourinho meant that for a while Shaw looked to be on the way out of Manchester. However, a change in manager has led to a resurgence in form and he is on course to make 30 appearances in a single season for the first time at Old Trafford. If he continues his current trajectory, he might sneak slightly higher on the next list.

94. Tommy Taylor (36)

First Division Appearances - 166
Overall Appearances - 191
First Division Goals - 112
Overall Goals - 131
Position - Striker


A true legend of the club. Taylor was one of eight Manchester United players who tragically lost their lives during the Munich air disaster. Taylor still holds the best goals to game ratio of any striker who has played for Manchester United and was known for his fantastic aerial ability. He had only just turned 26 on the night of the Munich crash and had so much of his career to look forward to. Taylor will be forever remembered by fans of Manchester United
 
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Wumminator

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Joint 89th
(Five Players)
Two Points each


89. Clayton Blackmore (NA)


First Division Appearances - 138 (34)
Overall Appearances - 201 (44)
First Division Goals - 19
Overall Goals - 26
Position - Defence/Midfield


Another product of Manchester United's phenomenal youth team, Blackmore was a key part of the 1980s Old Trafford outfit. Equally adept in midfield as he was in defence, Blackmore was integral to Alex Ferguson's arrival at Old Trafford, winning an FA Cup medal in 1990. Blackmore also played 14 times in the 1992/93 inaugural Premier League campaign helping Manchester United end their long drought of league wins. Blackmore went on to coach at United, helping out with the youth team and also working for the MUTV channel.


89. Darron Gibson(NA)

Premier League Appearances -14 (17)
Overall Appearances - 37 (23)
Premier League goals - 3
Overall Goals - 10
Position - Central Midfield


This list does throw up some very peculiar names. Realistically, Darron Gibson is but a footnote in the history of Manchester United. However, Gibson obviously has a fan out there somewhere. Gibson won the 2006 youth player of the year award before slowly being eased into first team action over the next few seasons. Although he never established himself as a regular at the club, Gibson start in a League Cup final, scored in the Champions League against Bayern Munich and also in a semi final against Schalke. While his post United career has suffered, for a while he looked like he could establish himself as a good premier league player. Probably not deserving of a place on this list, but testament to the variety of fans Manchester United football club has worldwide.
 
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Wumminator

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89. Gordon McQueen (N/A)

First Division Appearances -184
Overall Appearances - 229
First Division Goals - 20
Overall Goals - 26
Position - Centre Back

'Ask all the players in the country which club they would like to play for and 99% would say ‘Manchester United’. The other 1% are liars.' Not many players who played over a hundred times for Leeds would be welcome at Old Trafford, but McQueen is certainly one of them. Signing for £500,000 in 1977 McQueen was a stalwart in the United defence up until 1985 and become known for his hard hitting style. Winner of an FA Cup trophy in 1983, McQueen endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful over his eight years at the club.

89. Antonio Valencia (36)

Premier League Appearances - 203 (37)
Overall Appearances - 277 (61)
Premier League Goals -17
Overall Goals - 25
Position - Right Winger/Right Back


Quite a large drop for Antonio Valencia, who only made one list this time on the RedCafe voting. Now into his tenth year at the club, it is probably safe to say that Valencia's career is winding down and he is not as fast and powerful as he once was. Nevertheless after signing for Manchester United in 2009 to replace the outgoing Ronaldo, Valencia proved to be a fan favourite for years, proving to be a dedicated and loyal member of the squad. It is unlikely that at the time many would have predicted that Valencia would end up in the top fifty charts for his appearances for the Red Devils. Starting his career as a fast and powerful winger, Valencia eventually transitioned to a right back known for his pace and ability to overlap. I think in a few years, Valencia will be remembered more fondly.

89. Billy Meredith (NA)

First Division Appearances - 303
Overall Appearances - 335
First Division Goals - 35
Overall Goals - 36
Position - Left Winger


A miner from Wales who would eventually go on to become a legend at both Manchester City and Manchester United, making over 300 appearances for both clubs. Meredith was an agile winger who dedicated himself to football in the early 20th century, avoiding alcohol and maintaining his fitness which contributed to his twenty six year playing career. Arriving at Manchester United in controversial fashion after being banned for a season for making bribes to the opposition while playing for Manchester City, (something that Meredith denied) he went onto become one of the first superstars of football, notorious for playing football while chewing on a toothpick. Meredith won two league titles while playing for United and played in the FA Cup final win in 1909.
 
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AndyJ1985

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Why the hell is Rojo on any list of favourite United players. I can understand Djemba x2 for comedy value
 

Wumminator

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Joint 87th
(Two Players)
Three Points each

87. Nicky Butt (NA)


Premier League Appearances - 210 (60)
Overall Appearances - 307 (80)
Premier League Goals - 21
Overall Goals - 26
Position - Centre Midfield


It was a real shame to see that Butt didn't make the list last time, but it's great to see him sneak on in the 2019 edition. One part of the famous 'Class of 92', Nicky Butt enjoyed a twelve year career at Manchester United and was an important part of the success through the late twentieth century. Born in Gorton, Butt worked his way through the United academy before becoming an integral part of the first team setup. It is easy to reminisce about some of the more famous names from this era (plenty of whom will show up later) and sometimes it is easy to forget just how good Nicky Butt could be. He was part of six title wins during his stint at Old Trafford and also won a deserved place in the 1997/1998 Premier League team of the season. Famously picked by Pele as the best player at the 2002 World Cup, Butt also appeared 39 times for the full England side.

Butt played 47 games in the famous 1999 treble winning season and played the full game in the 1999 Final due to Roy Keane's suspension. He was tireless in midfield and gave his all whenever he put on the shirt. To this day he still is involved with the club after recently being made the Under 23 manager in 2017. An unsung hero and deserved place on this list.

87. Alex Stepney (NA)

First Division Appearances - 393
Overall Appearances - 539
First Division Goals - 2
Overall Goals - 2
Position - Goalkeeper

Alex Stepney is one of the greatest goalkeepers in Manchester United's illustrious history and it is great to see the first goalkeeper from our first European Final win make the list. Signed in 1966 by Matt Busby after Stepney made just one appearance for Chelsea, Alex became a legend at the club. With 175 clean sheets and a record breaking 92 appearances in a row for the club, Stepney was a firm favourite throughout the 1970s in the red side of Manchester.

In the final minutes of the 1968 final, Stepney made a fantastic save to stop Benfica's Eusebio scoring what would have been the winning goal. Modestly, Stepney remarked 'it just went into my hands', it is that ability to be so special between the sticks as well as his humble attitude that made him so well liked at the club.
 
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Wumminator

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Joint 83rd.
Four players
Four points each.

83. Gordon Strachan (45)


First Division Appearances - 155 (5)
Overall Appearances - 195 (6)
First Division Goals - 33
Overall Goals - 38
Position - Right Midfield


Gordon Strachan arrived at Manchester United in 1984 for half a million pounds, signed by Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson. He was an immediate success at United, scoring 19 goals in his first season at the club and helping United win the 84/85 FA Cup Final. The following season Alex Ferguson took over the reigns of United and was reunited with the former Aberdeen winger. 'I didn't think he'd follow me this far south', remarked Strachan.

Gordon was an aggressive yet skilful right sided midfield player who played at Old Trafford for five years, before being shipped out by Alex Ferguson in 1989. Despite never winning a title at the club, he was instrumental in the second place finish in 1988. It seems his lack of titles didn't stop the Scottish man from securing a place on this list, although he has dropped somewhat since the last voting process.

83.Arthur Albiston(NA)

First Division Appearances - 362 (15)
Overall Appearances - 467 (18)
First Division Goals - 6
Overall Goals - 7
Position - Left Back

United have been blessed with some fantastic servants playing full back for the club yet very few are anywhere near as impressive as this Scotsman who went on to make almost 500 appearances for the club. Signing on professionally for Manchester United in 1974, Albiston had a fourteen year career at Old Trafford, winning three FA Cup trophies and a Second Division title.

His first FA Cup trophy coincided with his first sustained run as a Manchester United player. In the 1977 Fa Cup Final against arch rivals Liverpool, Albiston was called off the bench to replace the injured Stewart Houston. United won the match 2-1 and lifted the trophy, Albiston acquitted himself well and helped the reds to victory. He actually offered Houston the medal after the game, showing part of the attitude that made him such a fan favourite at United.

Albiston has since gone on to work for the club and is still employed by MUTV to this day.
 

Wumminator

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83. Tom Cleverley (NA)

Premier League Appearances - 42 (13)
Overall Appearances - 63 (16)
Premier League Goals - 3
Overall Goals - 5
Position - Centre Midfield


For most youngsters born in the United Kingdom, having the change to represent Manchester United over 75 times and picking up around thirteen caps for England would represent a very successful career. However, Tom Cleverley seemed to have so much potential when he first appeared in the Manchester United first team that it is a surprise he turned up on this list at all.

83. Jack Rowley (N/A)

First Division Appearances -355
Overall Appearances - 424
First Division Goals - 173
Overall Goals - 211
Position - Striker


At the time the £3,000 paid for 17 year old Jack Rowley would have been seen as quite a significant amount of money. Despite this the teenager flourished at United and scored over 200 goals for the club, still the fourth highest amount recorded at Old Trafford to this day. Nicknamed 'Gunner' for his devastating left foot, Rowley has left a massive impact on United and is still remembered to this day.
 

Spoony

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Di Maria above Paddy Crerand and Harry Gregg.

Never change Redcafe.

Yes but to be fair, it's a list of players that fans have actually seen. Or I guess it ought to be...otherwise I'd have had Denis Law in my top three - love everything about him.
 

sullydnl

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Yeah wait, how is Billy Meridith one of someone's favourite United players in 2019?

Edit: It says a lot about Tom Cleverley that he immediately struck me as a less likely pick.
 

anant

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@Wumminator Can you please add in the years during which some of these older guys played in as well ? While I have a rough idea, just want to see how long some of these players were at the club. Thanks
 

Šjor Bepo

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@Wumminator if you can be bothered, would be cool to have the same thread but just with 10 most iconic players or 10 best players so we can compare those with this list.
 

Minimalist

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Is that seriously Nicky Butt lower than Tom fecking Cleverley. Some special folks frequent this forum.
 

Wumminator

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Joint 80th
(Three Players)
Five points each

80. Roger Byrne (N/A)

First Division Appearances -245
Overall Appearances - 280
First Division Goals - 17
Overall Goals - 20
Position - Left Back


The captain of the Busby Babes that tragically lost his life in the Munich air disaster. Originally playing as a winger, Byrne transferred to left full back when he arrived at Manchester United and came to be what Jimmy Murphy described as the 'forerunner of the modern full back'. He was known equally for his reliability as well as marauding runs forward.

After seven seasons at the club Byrne was in the prime of his career and captain of the side when he was involved in the air disaster. If he would have been one of the lucky survivors of the plane crash he would have arrived home to news that his wife was expecting their first child together. A heartbreaking story that encapsulates the horrors that the team had to endure after Munich.


80. Jimmy Greenhoff (N/A)

First Division Appearances -94 (3)
Overall Appearances - 119 (4)
First Division Goals -26
Overall Goals - 36
Position - Striker


In 1977 Jimmy Greenhoff scored a winner against United's arch rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup Final. This goal would eventually stop Liverpool from winning an unprecedented treble. He deserves a place on this list alone for that.

Jimmy had arrived at Old Trafford in November 1976, linking up with his younger brother Brian at the Red Devils. Arriving for £100,000 from Stoke City, Jimmy would last five seasons at the club. It was his first three seasons that stand out the most, scoring 35 goals and being voted United's player of the year in 1978. His last two seasons at the club were ravaged by injury and the red army would never see Jimmy at his best again. Nevertheless his ability at football (including a fantastic volleying technique) was evident and he remains a favourite to this day.


80. Ronny Johnsen

Premier League Appearances - 84 (14)
Overall Appearances - 131 (19)
Premier League Goals - 7
Overall Goals - 9
Position - Centre Back


Alex Ferguson first tried to sign the Norwegian defender in 1995. Johnsen had only just arrived at Turkish club Besiktas at the time and rejected the chance to join Manchester United. Ferguson was not to be curtailed despite this and signed the player for £1,500,000 the following summer. It was a fantastic move for a player who would win four league titles by the time he left the club as well as being an instrumental player in the treble win in 1999.

Although his career at Old Trafford was hindered by consistent injuries, Johnsen's quality was clear to see and he became a fan favourite when he did manage to make the field. Johnsen actually won four trophies in four subsequent appearances for United, the second of which was a full ninety minutes in Barcelona that helped United lift the Champions League trophy. Johnsen was at United for six full seasons before eventually leaving for Aston Villa.
 
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