Ranking Manchester United Legends
I did this for a discussion on another platform so I thought will share I here as well. This is just my opinion and obviously bias towards my preference. It is just for fun and to share my opinion on how i rate these legends based on their on and off pitch contributions as well as their impact and legacy they left behind. Character plays a massive role in my ranking as well. Some players are missing as this is a ready-made template so i can only rate based on who is available. Some are omitted because it is unfair for me to rate someone that i have never watched live or old enough to remember their impact.
United GOATs
Paul Scholes - As you can see, i have placed the '99 and '08 squads quite highly. And this man is not just in both squads, he was the heart and soul of it. The cornerstone of our success during SAF. GOAT! I will fight any United fan who says otherwise.
Eric Cantona - The King. The man who started it all and the man that shouldered the pressure of carrying the team while the class of 92 were coming through. He didnt do as much compared to others in the list but him joining us arguably kickstarted the best period of our club.
Michael Carrick - My first controversial pick. A lot of you will disagree but he is arguably the man who changed our playstyle from the traditional gritty premier league style of football defined in Keane's era to a more fluid, passing style adapted by most European giants. His signing marks our entry to the top of European football clubs.
David De Gea - Second controversial pick, especially since his dip in form and ranking him above Peter and Edwin as well as a whole bunch of players who won way more than he did. But if i'm honest, in my time of watching United, i have never seen a player let alone a goalkeeper that carried us through season after season in our darkest (recent) times. Can't imagine how many times we will miss out on European football if he is not between the sticks and the financial implications from that. Keeping us relevant enough to have chance after chance to rebuild the squad under suspectful managers. If Gerrard is considered as the Fool's GOAT then David's contribution should be equal if not far more important minus singlehandedly costing the title to slip away from us.
United Legends
Roy was the leader of some of our most successful sides so it is an easy one. Giggsy was there since the beginning all the way til the end of our best times and the only reason he wasnt ranked as a GOAT in my opinion was due to his off-field nonsense post-retirement. Irwin, the Mr. Consistent is another easy one. Peter for his commanding presence as well as his success on the field has to be here at the very least.
The core of our '08 squad, Vidic, Rio, Evra, Rooney, Ronnie and Edwin are all legends. The '08 season defined their success due to Champions League but they have been at the top domestically for a long time prior and challenging the UCL season after season. The only reason why Rooney wasnt ranked a tier above is due to the 2 times he tried to hold the club ransom (and the club he chose to use as bargaining chip) and Ronnie for leaving before he truly reach his peak.
Bruce and Pallister easily gets their spot here and Gnev for his longevity, grit, perseverence, reliability and leadership.
United Great
Everyone of them here are legends of their own right. They defined a specific role or success with us but arguably falls a little short to be ranked with the guys above.
Becks will always be remembered as the first football superstar and introduced a lot of new fans to the beautiful game. His stardom aside, one of the most hardworking players and his crossings and set-pieces are trademarked. Pity that the law of physics are such that the boot strike him.
Ruud, Dwight/Cole, Ole and Teddy are all reliable strikers. Ruud for his consistency, Dwight and Cole for their partnership, Ole for his supersub appearances as well as the Bayern game alongside Teddy. Teddy was often remembered for that goal but his 2001 performances defies his age. We have been very very fortunate to have these strikers with us.
Stam is just Stam. Without him, we may not have gotten the Treble but pity that he wasnt with us longer. One of SAF's regret and one that left fans wondering what could have been.
Park, perhaps my third controversial pick. His performances were never outstanding but he is a vital member of a very successful squad. Dubbed as a marketing move, he did far more than what was expected of him and everyone of his team mates as well as his manager values him highly. Performs ehen it mattered most which is usually in big games. Putting our brand in South Korea is a bonus.
Did well in a short time
RVP, Zlatan and Berba are all quality strikers but honestly, they were kinda one or two season wonders for us. Their time with us helped us to trophies through their individual brilliance but not enough to be hailed as outright legends in a club like United (see the names above!)
Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford are on their way to carving their statues in front of Old Trafford but they have not been with us long enough or have any form of major success to be placed higher as of now. Shaw is one of my favourite player in the current squad and how he turn around his fortune should be an example to all United players with tough starts and Marcus, he is just the example of what a United player should be on and off the field.
Saha was brilliant when he was fit but he rarely was. Anders is one of the most painful departure in recent times for me. His passion and contributions is undoubted and there were plenty of deserved calls for him to be our captain. Lastly, Chicharito is another that left us prematurely. A good player who does the job when called upon and a reliable goal-getter even if he is nothing spectacular. All 3 are fan favourites and deserved better career with us.
United Servants
In any other club, these batch of players would have considered legends for what they have achieved and contributed. We are so blessed with loyal world-class players that such is the case that these players do not belong higher in this tier. Captains, vice-captains, long-serving members of successful sides and treble-winners. All valuable squad members and deserves a standing ovation whenever they return to Old Trafford.
Did OK
Similar to above, but slightly less impactful on the pitch. Credit must be given to some here where at times they were criticise by some section of fans but their loyalty and love to the club remains. This is the case with Anderson, Fellaini, Lingard (before he became Ligardinho) and Welbeck.
In the case of Veron and Pogba, their pricetag probably worked against them but their quality is undoubted. Veron just doesnt fit into the premier league and Pogba struggles to perform consistently as did Martial.
Blanc was past his best when he joined us but did reasonably well given the circumstances. His bromance with Barthez was good to watch.
Rafael was just finding his footing and was shipped out too early in my opinion.
The keepers here are all of good quality but it goes to show it takes more than being good to be United's No.1.
Shit
They know what they did. Though Michael Owen's inclusion here is abit harsh but he should stop predicting us to perform badly and give credible and factual punditry regarding us. Kinda shows which Red he is loyal to.
Comments
Mate! There is just so much passion in what you’ve written that the passion is overwhelmingly changing my opinion on the very few things that I fail to agree.. 👍
Thank you, glad you enjoyed this as i have been following your posts for a while now as well.
I’m also glad we’re following each other.. 😉👍
for me vidic and Rooney was the best players
Great article
Thanks, its all just for fun haha