Eurosport - Mon, 03 Aug 20:30:00 2009
In our weekly series during the close season, we let you decide who is the greatest player to have played for some of England's top clubs. We continue with a selection of Manchester United legends.
Here is our shortlist of eight greats, with the Eurosport-Yahoo! top three at the bottom.
So leave your thoughts below, vote in the online poll and we'll give you the final verdict on Saturday.
Duncan Edwards (1953-1958)
It is scary to think Edwards is widely regarded as one of United's greatest ever players despite having had his life cruelly cut short at the age of just 21. By the time he perished 15 days after that fateful night in Munich, he had already won 18 England caps, and done enough in his short career to suggest he would become one of his country's finest players of all time. The combative and versatile wing-half epitomised Matt Busby's babes - young, courageous and immensely talented. That he was deprived of a longer career is one of football's great injustices.
Denis Law (1962-1973)
Ask United fans of a certain age who they would prefer to watch, Law or Best, and a surprising number would pick the Lawman. Although he missed out on European Cup glory in 1968 due to injury, Law twice won the First Division title with United along with an FA Cup. A born goalscorer, he netted an incredible 237 times in his 398 starts and is one of four United players to have won the Ballon d'Or, in 1964. Not even two spells with Manchester City either side of his time at Old Trafford have dulled United fans' adoration for him. Responsible for a generation of park footballers pulling the sleeves of their jerseys over their knuckles.
George Best (1963-1974, pictured)
Where to start? Great things were expected when the twinkle-toed Northern Irishman arrived in Manchester as a fresh-faced 15-year-old - and he rarely disappointed on his way to becoming one of the most celebrated footballers of all time. Two league titles and a European Cup in the year he also won the Ballon d'Or were testament to his value to the team, but it was his flamboyant style and love of entertaining a crowd that marked him out from the rest. Incredibly skilful with a superb sense of balance, Best remained elusive to defenders for much of his United career, although one fearsome opponent - alcohol - did eventually catch up with him, cutting short his career and eventually ending his life.
Bobby Charlton (1956-1973)
Put simply, Charlton is Mr Manchester United. The forward spent 17 years as a player at Old Trafford before returning as a director in 1984, a position he still holds to this day. There can be no doubt that Charlton embodies the spirit of United like no other - having been dragged from the horror of the wreckage in Munich, he fought back from the brink of death to lead United to European Cup glory and win the Ballon d'Or twice. Armed with an eye for goal and a fearsome right foot, Charlton's 249 career goals remains a club record while his record for appearances was only recently broken by Ryan Giggs.
Bryan Robson (1981-1994)
Moving into the modern era, Robson makes the list for his heroics in carrying a distinctly average side through the largely barren years of the 1980s. Signed from West Brom for a then record transfer fee of £1.5m, Robson's all-action performances in the centre of midfield, his refusal to give up and disregard for his own safety won him a lasting place in the hearts of many Stretford Enders. His finest hour came in 1984, his two goals sparking a famous comeback against Maradona's Barcelona at Old Trafford. Fittingly for a player of his immense influence on United, he finally won a league title in 1993, before claiming a second winner's medal a year later.
Eric Cantona (1992-1997)
Cantona's arrival from Leeds in 1992 - the transfer coup of the century - not only kick-started United's season but it also heralded the beginning of the most successful period in the club's history. The Frenchman's goals - 82 in 177 starts - his ability to unlock a defence and his sheer belief, nay, arrogance on the pitch inspired a generation of youngsters at Old Trafford. The likes of Beckham, Scholes, Butt and the Neville brothers all benefitted enormously from his presence at the club, where his impact is still felt today. Never before has a player been so adored by United fans and his name is still routinely sang at Old Trafford.
Ryan Giggs (1990-present)
Having recently broken Charlton's appearance record, Giggs can rightly lay claim to being a United great. Rarely does a player stay with one club throughout his entire career these days, yet Giggs has done just that. But it is not just the impressive figures (which also tell you that he has won 11 league titles, two European Cups and four FA Cups) that warrant his inclusion in this list. Like Best before him, Giggs in his prime had the ability to get a crowd on its feet with a combination of dazzling footwork, direct running and electrifying pace. In more recent years, he has proved his versatility by adopting a more central role, but his influence on the game, if anything, has swelled as he has matured.
Cristiano Ronaldo (2003-2009)
Yes, Old Trafford has seen more loyal United players, and yes, United fans were occasionally forced into wincing at some of his on-field antics, but the plain facts are that Ronaldo helped win three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and the Champions League during his six-year spell at the club. His 42 goals - just four short of Law's club record - in the 2007-08 season saw him become the fourth United player to win the Ballon d'Or and the first to win the World Player of the Year award. Tall and muscular, but with oodles of skill and pace, Ronaldo is a rare breed of footballer - one that can play anywhere across the front line with equal effectiveness. And we haven't even mentioned his free-kicks.
Honourable mentions: Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel, Billy Meredith, David Beckham, Paddy Crerand, Paul Scholes, Bill Foulkes, Roger Byrne, Mark Hughes, Tony Dunne, Arthur Albiston, Brian McClair, Norman Whiteside, Nobby Stiles, Dennis Viollet, Tommy Taylor, Steve Bruce.
Eurosport-Yahoo! verdict:
1 - George Best
2 - Eric Cantona
3 - Denis Law
Comment 269 - 288 of 288
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be here! he's one of the most consistent players ever!
I don't understand how it was ronaldo chosen over beckham or scholes while neville is not even mentioned. I am a liverpool fan but even if it concerns man united, I just hate when real footballers are being unrecognized by "specialists".I believe you did that to draw more attention and start discussions, no one is that stupid to put a player who doesn't even wants to play at man u in the top 8 alltime players of the team.
Getting away from United there have been and will be better players in English football. Paul Gascoigne was with-out a doubt the best and most gifted player EVER to pull on an England shirt. Yes that's my opinion!!!!! but I think too many people think of club players, before the real stars of the game. I know he had his problems but really thinking about it (FOR A MINUTE BEFORE REPLYING) who was the most gifted footballing genious of our times????
Gazza!!!! with out doubt!!
every one knows who the greatest player was for manchester u.george best .d.edwards.b.charlton.d.beckham.d.law.not a frog any were
stephenbyrne50 you are a prime example of how the reat of the world view the Brits, keep up the good work you lame brained piece of s**t, crawl back under what ever rock you normally live. I am sure your mother is very proud of you , if you ever had one.
Its an absolute travisty that Roy Keane has not been included in this list. He pulled Utd out of some scraps. Even when other clubs wanted to buy him he showed his loyalty, unlike others, and i'm not going to mention names CRISTIANO RONALDO
My schoolboy hero was Duncan Edwards. Since those days Manchester United have produced world class player after player. There is no end to the list of greats,each had their own star quality.There will no doubt be many more,and I thank each and every one of them both past and present for all the entertainment they have given me.
WHY THE HELL KEANO'S NOT SHORTLISTED!!!!!??? LIKE IN: INSTEAD OF CR7 THAT GUY WRITING THIS IS A GORMLESS DUMBASS!!!
kantona #1 no questions.ronaldo had a chase but he got greedy and blow it!
in my position,i can attribute the hornor to ryan giggis ,symply, for his simplicity ,his talents,personnality and his persistence.
I take that last post back,it was stupid and unforgiveble,I was just messing.
George Best was one of the greatest players ever,he just knew what to do with a football,as in get hold of it,look up and then go for goal,and score a humbdinger of a goal.
George Best,he could turn any player inside out,he would also be doing some turning in his grave,if he knew about the dodgy Mancs,turning peoples pockets inside out,bunch of robbers.
It has to be Bobby Charlton, mainly due to what he's been through in the Munich air diasaster, and how he recovered to become our top scorer of all time, leading us to European glory. Adding to that, one cannot forget his years of service and loyal support of the club to this day forward.
Mr. Manchester United indeed.
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BRYAN ROBSON WAS THE BEST EVER MIDFIELD PLAYER FOR UTD. AND THE BEST CAPTAIN
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I will Vote CR7 if he still stay at ManU..but now,he's not the best for me..Eric Cantona is the best ManU player ever..
Has anyone noticed that of the top 3 players none of them are actually English???
George Best - Irish
Eric Cantona - French
Dennis Law - Scottish
And their best Manager in history is from Scotland...
Eric Kantona is the best player have ever seen in Man U
Yes!! David Beckham!!
why isn't here Beckham??
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