51st
(Two Players)
Eighteen points each.
51. Duncan Edwards (14)
First Division Appearances - 151
Overall Appearances - 177
First Division Goals - 20
Overall Goals - 21
Position - Everywhere
It is easy to list Duncan Edwards' position as "everywhere" and think of it as a joke. The idea that someone could be so very capable at football as being able to play in every single outfield position is somewhat of a novelty. Nowadays if a player can play across a backline in two positions he is thought of as versatile. Yet versatile doesn't do Duncan Edwards justice, from all accounts he was master of all trades, Jack of none.
It is mad that a player who only played for United till the age of 21 could be so high up on the list. But the story of Duncan Edwards is anything but a typical football story, the England international would only live till his 21st birthday before the torrid events of Munich ended the young man's life. Even before that moment though his reputation had grown so much that Edwards remains one of Manchester's favourite players.
Duncan Edwards captained United to the first ever FA Youth Cup success in 1953. However by that time he'd already appeared in the first team at 16 years and 185 days, making him the youngest ever league player. The next two years saw him establish himself as a regular and by the time he was 18 he was called up for England, becoming the youngest player since the Second World War to represent his country. For five years after his debut Edwards was a regular in a Manchester United squad that won two league titles. Edwards was widely tipped to become England captain before his life was tragically cut short in Munich. Despite surviving the initial crash, Edwards would ultimately succumb to his injuries 15 days later, the hospital staff amazed at the fight and spirit Edwards showed while being treated. Indeed it's said that during his treatment during a spell of sustained lucidity he asked United assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, " "What time is the kick off against Wolves? I mustn't miss that match"
It's hard to put into words how much Edwards means to this football club. I can't do it, so I'm going to ask some of his contemporaries to do it for him. These quotes sum up how highly rated Edwards was. It's a shame we never got to see his career fully blossom, because those that watched him were sure he'd go down as the best player to ever lace up his boots.
Bobby Charlton - “He had strength and character that just spilled out of him on the field. I’m absolutely sure that if his career had had a decent span he would have proved himself the greatest player we had ever seen. Yes, I know the great players – Pelé, Maradona, Best, Law, Greaves and my great favourite Alfredodi Stéfano – but my point was that he was better in every phase of the game. If you asked such players as Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney about Duncan their answers were always the same: they had seen nothing like him.”
Jimmy Murphy's half time team talk in an FA Youth Cup game - "Remember, boys, I said not to give Duncan the ball at every opportunity. Well, forget it. Give him the fecking ball whenever you can." - United won the game
Matt Busby - "Duncan had everything. He was so big, so strong, so confident and still so young. Right from the start we gave up trying to spot flaws in his game. John Charles was another giant of a player, a giant with great, great skill. But as a player, even John didn't have as much as Duncan. He used to move upfield brushing people aside to lash in late goals when we needed them."
Jimmy Murphy - "If I shut my eyes now I can see him; the pants hitched up, the wild leaps of boyish enthusiasm as he came running out of the tunnel, the tremendous power of his tackling, always fair but fearsome, his immense power on the ball. The greatest? There was only one and that was Duncan Edwards."
George Follows (writer in the News Chronicle after seeing 16 year old Edwards) - "Well, the first important thing is that this boy Edwards is a man of 12st and 5ft 10ins in height. This gives him his first great asset of power. When he heads the ball, it is not a flabby flirtation with fortune, it is bold and decisive. When he tackles, it is with a man-trap bite, and when he shoots with either foot, not even Jack Rowley – the pride of Old Trafford – is shooting harder. Though nobody can tell exactly what will happen when Edwards explodes into First Division football, one thing is certain: it will be spectacular.”
RIP to one of United's truest legends.
A day of memory,
Sad to recall,
Without farewell,
He left us all. . .