1. Bryan Robson. Don’t think you could start supporting United in the 80s and Robson not be your favourite player. Great captain, great player, lifted the standard of the whole team. Brave, skilful. Only downside was the injuries.
2. Eric Cantona. Similar to Robson in that 92-96 period Eric was the fans favourite. In an era of few foreign players he really brought flair and cohesion to finally take the team to the league for first time in 26 years. A real character off the field too, something completely lacking in modern day football.
3. David Beckham. I think his looks, pop star wife and fame off the field make people forget how good a footballer he was. Easily the fittest player, with fantastic delivery and determination to step up when the team needed him.
4. Paul Scholes. His ability to hit diagonal balls to the wing was such a feature of Fergie’s teams. I read a lot of United autobiographies and they all agree that Paul was the best player in training every day.
5. Ruud Van Nistelrooy. United had had plenty of quality strikers but I think Ruud was a cut above and probably the first ‘world class’ striker I’ve seen at United, just an absolute killer in the box.