Which United player has had the greatest international career?

[Parma Dewol]

Friend of mine made an interesting observation in that United don't tend to have many players that do great things in their international careers.

Might not be a surprise considering that we haven't historically had many players from the top trophy-winning sides. Our Brazilians haven't lived up to expectations, I can only think of three Italians to have worn the United shirt, and am I right in saying that we've only ever seen one German play for us?

All that aside, it raises an interesting question: who is the greatest international Red of all time?

How you define greatness is open to interpretation. Some might use international goals as a metric, others might look at the number of performances, and of course trophies are going to count for a lot. One criteria I think is important is that the international success needs to have come while actually at United.

Who would you pick?

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Charlton??

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

We've had a few world cup winners. Charlton, Kleberson, Pogba, although Kleberson was signed after winning the WC.

 

[Raw]

Only one in our current squad that comes close is Pogba. Mata obviously won a lot but he wasn't at United when he did.

As for all time, probably Charlton? Rooney's a decent shout if you wanna just go off goals, as he became England's all time scorer while he was with us. But did feck all in the big tournaments so I probably wouldn't go for him.

 

[Rozay]

Pogba.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

We've had a few world cup winners. Charlton, Kleberson, Pogba, although Kleberson was signed after winning the WC.

Blanc as well, although he retired from the French team by the time he signed for United.

 

[bsCallout]

Charlton. Obviously.
Wazza. Most goals.
Pogba. WC winner, important in that win too.

Edit: Only including players who done well for their country whilst they played for us.

 

[charlenefan]

He didn't win anything but Beckham was inspirational for England

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

Bobby Charlton stands out as having had a great international career.

Pogba's been excellent too. Schmeichel was one of the main reasons Denmark won the 92 Euros.

Beckham was very good for England, Rooney has the scoring record, Ferdinand was very good for England on different occasions. Cristiano Ronaldo obviously been good for Portugal. If you're counting players that played for us but didn't leave a major impression, Schweinsteiger and Laurent Blanc. Di Maria has been good for Argentina. The Dutch lads Van der Sar, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Stam all had their moments for Netherlands. Keane was great for Ireland before Saipan.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Blanc as well, although he retired from the French team by the time he signed for United.

True. We don't have a lot because we don't tend to sign players from the most successful international teams (Brazil, Germany, Italy, France, Spain)

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

Blanc as well, although he retired from the French team by the time he signed for United.

Schweinsteiger was arguably the best player on the pitch in a World Cup final. But feel everyone forgets he was even here.

 

[Gandalf]

Ronaldo post United has won a fair bit including the last edition of the Euros and 104 international goals is properly mental, those are the kind of numbers normally reserved for the US womens team.

 

[Maticmaker]

Ronaldo post United has won a fair bit including the last edition of the Euros and 104 international goals is properly mental, those are the kind of numbers normally reserved for the US womens team.

Yes, got to agree, Cristiano Ronaldo's goal tally of international goals has to be up there, although you have to consider Sir Bobby Charlton and Paul Pogba as the World Cup winners.

 

[Bole Top]

Schmeichel, Pogba and Charlton.

maybe J. Hernandez if you value Gold Cup and CONCACAF Cup. Bailly also played all matches for his NT when they won African cup of nations. I mean, what else those two are supposed to win?

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Schweinsteiger was arguably the best player on the pitch in a World Cup final. But feel everyone forgets he was even here.

for good reason. He was more of an ambassador than player.

 

[Maticmaker]

for good reason. He was more of an ambassador than player.

We were Schweinsteiger's 'warm down' session, but he was worth watching all the same; so as a WC winner has to go alongside Charlton and Pogba.

 

[Bole Top]

We were Schweinsteiger's 'warm down' session, but he was worth watching all the same; so as a WC winner has to go alongside Charlton and Pogba.

no. read the OP - "success needs to have come while actually at United."

 

[Maticmaker]

no. read the OP - "success needs to have come while actually at United."

OK, then forget Schweinsteiger and Cristiano for that matter, he didn't score all his international goals whilst he was at OT.
So its Charlton and Pogba for WC winners whilst at United!

 

[harms]

Sir Bobby Charlton, without a shadow of doubt. It took a lot for Rooney to beat his goalscoring record (considering that Charlton wasn't even a forward for most of his international career), and none of United players had been, fair and square, the best player of the World Cup (as well as the best & the most important player of the winning side).

Pogba have had a great international career as well. Not quite at Charlton's level though, mind you. Schmeichel as well.

Out of those who didn't win anything, I'd really like to nominate Bryan Robson, who was simply incredible for England (aside from that ridiculous Italia '90 injury).

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Sir Bobby Charlton by far. Then the likes of Schmeiciel , Robson and Pogba. We could even sneak in Blanc, CR7. Even Lukaku

 

[Token Sheet]

OK, then forget Schweinsteiger and Cristiano for that matter, he didn't score all his international goals whilst he was at OT.
So its Charlton and Pogba for WC winners whilst at United!

Nobby Stiles should also be included then....

 

[Globule]

I was going to throw in Park Ji-Sung for a different name but looks like even his relative success with South Korea was mainly before joining us.

We're cursed.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

Charlton is the only Englishman to win the WC and Ballon D'or.

 

[GueRed]

These two had an amazing few years for the French National Team

 

[Red Royal]

Nobby Stiles

 

[RUCK4444]

Charlton.

 

[devilish]

Charlton of course

 

[simplyared]

Bobby Charlton and it's not even close.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Charlton, Pogba, Ronaldo, Rooney. In that order probably.

First two were/are dominant in their teams and WC winners, and the latter two are the most prolific men their countries have ever seen as well as CR being a Euro's champion.

 

[A-man]

Schweinsteiger

 

[The Brown Bull]

Bobby Charlton.
Nobby Stiles.
Harry Gregg.

 

[bosnian_red]

Ronaldo and Pogba the 2 standouts (modern era). Nani had a great career for Portugal too, always performed.

 

[RedRonaldo]

Current - Pogba
Previous - Charlton, Schmeichel, Ronaldo, Schweinsteiger

 

[Charlie Foley]

Schweinsteiger was arguably the best player on the pitch in a World Cup final. But feel everyone forgets he was even here.

I don’t think there can be much argument that he was. I thought he was brilliant that night

 

[Forevergiggs1]

Ronaldo and Pogba the 2 standouts (modern era). Nani had a great career for Portugal too, always performed.

If you mention Nani then surely Rooney should be in the conversation? England's most capped outfield player and top scorer ever?

 

[Oldyella]

Nobby Stiles.

 

[Nick7]

Barthez won the euros while with us… technically.

 

[Siezard]

Paul Pogba

 

[Maticmaker]

Nobby Stiles should also be included then....

Don't remember Nobby scoring many goals for England, but he was a WC winner and remembered by the nation for his toothless jig with the Trophy, so on that score should be counted as well.

 

[Bondi77]

Charlton
Stiles
Pogba