Manchester United have witnessed many legends don the famous Red Devils red shirt throughout its prestigious history so far. Elite talents have come to encompass the club's quality and class with some still considered among Old Trafford’s greatest.
But, who are the 9 best Man Utd midfielders of all-time? Let’s take a journey through time to uncover the greatest midfielders to ever grace the Theatre of Dreams.
9 Best Man Utd Midfielders of All Time
9. Paddy Crerand
Scot Paddy Crerand joined Manchester United from Celtic in 1963, playing over 300 times for the Red Devils and scoring ten goals across an eight-year period. He featured in ‘Right Half', proving to be a bullish midfielder at the core of United’s team.
As one of the best Man Utd midfielders of all-time, he won just a handful of honours whilst at Old Trafford including two top-flight league titles, an FA Cup, a pair of Charity Shields and the 1968 European Cup.
8. Steve Coppell
Among the best Man Utd midfielders of all-time, Steve Coppell was a dynamic and exciting right winger. The Englishman signed from Tranmere in 1975 for a fee of £60,000. He went on to make 322 appearances for the Red Devils across eight years.
Coppell was vital in Manchester United’s relative success during the late 1970s as they quickly recovered from relegation only a few seasons previous. He won the 1977 FA Cup, the following season’s Charity Shield and will be remembered for bringing a certain vigor back into United’s attacking game.
7. Nobby Stiles
Nobby Stiles is one of the best Man Utd midfielders of all-time. He spent eleven years at Old Trafford making 311 appearances and scored 17 goals. The stocky and feistymidfielder was always a reliable powerhouse at United's core.
During his time at the club, Stiles helped them claim the First Division title twice and the 1968 European Cup. He is still celebrated to this day as one of Matt Busby’s greatest ever players post the Munich Air Disaster.
6. David Beckham
English legend David Beckham rose through United’s academy during the early 90’s, soon excelling as a right winger with fantastic free-kick and crossing technique. He evolved into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, becoming a crucial part of a Red Devil’s team that won numerous Premier League titles, FA Cups and even the Champions League in 1999.
As one of the best Man Utd midfielders of all-time, Beckham is famed for his long range passing ability and effective relationship on the right flank with full-back Gary Neville. He made 265 appearances at Old Trafford, scoring 62 times including 18 free-kicks over nine seasons.
5. Bryan Robson
Among the best Man Utd midfielders of all-time, Bryan Robson was a heroic Captain and relentlessly hardworking centre-midfielder. The Englishman signed for the club in 1981 following a then British record fee of £1.5 million. He went on to make 465 appearances for the Red Devils across thirteen years at Old Trafford.
Robson was vital in Manchester United’s rise throughout the 1980s and 1990s as they claimed two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup. He was also named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for 1988/89.
4. Roy Keane
Roy Keane is one of the best Man Utd midfielders of all-time and featured for the club across a twelve-year spell from 1993 to 2005. He appeared 326 times for the Red Devils, scoring 33 goals and captained the side through a highly successful period from the 1997/98 season.
He helped Manchester United secure seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 1999 Champions League. Keane was named in the PFA Team of the Year five times along with both FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Players' Player of the Year for 2000.
3. Bobby Charlton
Among the best Man Utd midfielders of all-time is Bobby Charlton. Graduating from their Academy in 1956, the Englishman soon helped guide the club through a memorable period in their history, forming a formidable attacking trio alongside George Best and Denis Law.
Charlton made 758 appearances for United, finding the net 249 times and still sits in second spot on a list of their highest goalscorers ever. The midfield legend won three top-flight titles, an FA Cup and the 1968 European Cup as an icon of Matt Busby’s rebuilt team devastated by the Munich Air Disaster only ten years prior. Charlton’s greatest honour is perhaps his victory during the 1966 Ballon d’Or.
2. Paul Scholes
Englishman Paul Scholes quickly established himself among United's first team during the mid-90s following promotion from the famous class of 92. It wouldn't take long for him to adjust to the demands of the Premier League.
During his first full season Scholes scored 14 goals in a striker role, helping the Reds Devils to a Premier League and FA Cup double. He won numerous honours whilst at Old Trafford including a mammoth eleven league titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and a pair of Champions League triumphs.
As one of the best Man Utd midfielders of all time, Scholes eventually dropped deeper into a central role, becoming renowned for his tenacious attitude, and sublime passing game and is thought of as among the greatest in that position. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year twice, inducted into both the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Premier League Hall of Fame of 2022.
1. Ryan Giggs
Arguably the best Man Utd midfielder of all-time, Welsh wizard Ryan Giggs was poached from neighbours Manchester City’s academy by Alex Ferguson before making his debut for the Red Devils in 1990. Across an incredible 24 seasons at Old Trafford, Giggs’s performances year on year were high-quality and in 963 appearances he scored 168 goals, still the club's fourth highest ever goalscorer.
He won no less than 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League cups and a pair of European Cups. Giggs was named PFA Young Player of the Year twice, Manchester United Players' Player of the Year in 2005/06, PFA Players' Player of the Year for 2009 and inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
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