Poll: Who is the greatest Manchester United player of all time?
A debate has started on these pages comparing Cristiano Ronaldo to George Best. At the age of 22, Ronaldo is still probably several years from his prime, but many believe he is already the equal of the Belfast genius.
Which made us wonder: who is the greatest Manchester United player of all? Is it one of the two brilliant wingers? Or is it one of the other great names who have worn the famous red, say, Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton or Roy Keane.
The answer, of course, depends on your criteria. Do you judge greatness primarily on talent? Or does longevity play a significant part? And how much importance do you assign to trophies-won? If so, few can beat modern players such as Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, with their cabinet-busting collection of winners' medals.
The best way to decide, surely, is via democratic means. Hence this online poll in which we want you to vote.
To make it more straightforward, we've drawn up a shortlist. Yes, there are few worthy contenders who didn't make the cut - Peter Schmeichel, Mark Hughes, Dennis Viollet and Tommy Taylor spring to mind - but we're fairly confident this is the first-choice XI.
Be sure to justify your choice in the comment box below.
Sign up for our free daily email, weekdays 4pm
Putting Giggs and Robson on your lit instead of Dennis Viollet is a crime!!
Posted by: Peter Gill | 12 Apr 2009 02:29:34
CR7 just got the trophy that every player inspires for yet people still have douts how good Cr is well he just has to keep on keeping on and then and only then some none belivers will say ah he is
just a fluk yet the true belivers of the beautifull game and unbiest will keep admiring and enjoying CR ever so magic football
Posted by: Ade Freitas | 6 Dec 2008 03:14:03
Obviously there is a great comparison between best and ronaldo, I have to favour George Best tho. My basis for this is that Ronaldo plays in a day and age where referre's favour the attacking teams, how often to people attempt to break his legs? Now think of the era Best played in, Ron "Chopper Harris"! There were leg breaking tackles then that would warrant a 3 match ban now, but would be nothing more than a telling off in Best's day. Best had all these guys gunning for him, and he still came out trumps!
Posted by: mark | 1 Oct 2008 09:46:07
Although they are all great players, my vote would be Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes - he dives uncontrollably, but he is by far ONE of the best. Unfortunatly i couldn't see the real legends ever play, like George for instance, but hey, Ronaldo ain't half bad for a 23 year old! He's progressing each year, and who knows how much more he can show us. Manchester United will always be the best, and will always be loved. End Of Story.
Posted by: ManUnited | 1 Oct 2008 00:40:37
I feel ashamed of being a United fan looking at this poll. Who is doing all the voting, 10 year old kids? Up until two years ago Cristiano Ronaldo was a poor mans' Manuel Fernandes. It has to be either Best or Scholes surely!
Posted by: Deano | 29 Sep 2008 12:20:07
Keano!!! who else ....our charismatic captain shattered confidence of opponents when on pitch.....Also, Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that Keano is the best player he has ever trained......
Posted by: Albin | 25 Sep 2008 09:11:17
Who is the greatest? It's always a difficult one to call. I think it's generational too. For me, in my mid fifties, it has to be Georgie Boy. Sure, he was magical with the ball at his feet but just seeing his name on the team sheet was enough of a buzz on match day. He lifted the crowd the minute he walked onto the pitch and it must have been the same for his team mates too. I dare say that even Bobby and Denis were just as inspired knowing that Bestie was kicking the same way as them. Ask my dad though and he'd say Duncan Edwards every time. Ask my boys and they'd say Giggsy. See what I mean?
Posted by: Rob Riva | 25 Sep 2008 06:16:15
all are great players but from my time it has to be roy keane because nobody else has his leadership and as much will to win on the pitch as he does. best player ever to play in the premiership.
Posted by: KIERAN ,17 | 24 Sep 2008 22:28:27
You bloody brits....how can you leave the best goal keeper of all time off this list?
Fabien Barthez is the greatest Manchester Utd Player of all time!
nah..i gotta give the nod to Cantona!
Posted by: Brian | 24 Sep 2008 18:41:04
Being 18, i never saw Best play live, but from the videos i've seeni wuold have him in my team any day of the week and twice on saturdays. The others are all legends, apart form possibly Cristiano who needs a few more eyars there to ebcome a legend, but Best looked a class apart up there with pele, maradona and the like.
Cantona may be the King but Best is a God.
Posted by: Tommyboi | 24 Sep 2008 15:10:28
If you judge a player on his technical skills only, it could be any number of them. However, if you take into account the influence he has had on his teammates and the crowd, it can only be Cantona. Together with Ferguson, they turned a a good team into an extraordinary one. His influence was still felt after he left. His skills and charisma were unsurpassed, and his attachment to the club was unequivocal.
Posted by: Emmanuel Jamin | 24 Sep 2008 14:03:12
As an Arsenal, first I've gotta say Man U have had some wonderful players over the years, as exemplified in the list here.
As to who is best, I have to go with Cantona. As some others have said, Cantona, probably more than any other Man U player, was the one who helped turn the team into the super successful, trophy winning machine that it has become.
Cantona had it all, skill, touch, vision, physical presence, the command of the game and often won a game almost single-handedly.
Posted by: Paul | 24 Sep 2008 11:17:29
VERON
Posted by: jon23 | 22 Sep 2008 17:33:47
Ronaldo arguably may be the best player in the world right now. He still is a long way away from being considered the best player to put on the red jersey. He is behind George Best, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs.
Posted by: Amogh Dhodapkar | 20 Sep 2008 21:20:45
There is no debate. The greatest Manchester United player was Eric Cantona. Single handedly won the league and cup double in 1996 and his presence on the pitch alone intimidated sides in a big way. His departure was somewhat out of the blue. It was as if he said "I came, I saw, I conquered"....au revoir.
Posted by: Paul Hannon | 18 Sep 2008 22:38:37
There can be only one player. Duncan Edwards. As a youngster I saw Duncan play only a few games. Through the 60's, to the present day I have watched the Reds. Best, Law, Charlton, Ronaldo to name but a few. But Duncan had it all. His behaviour both on and off the field was exemplary. A player you could truely hold on high as a example to up and coming players. Only Chartlton and Giggs come close to his alround ability. His game was flawless.
Posted by: Dave Owen | 18 Sep 2008 19:56:39
Cantona! For sure! He brought back the club to the top, did help young players that were Neville, Scholes, Beckham... ,to integrate the team. Cantona loved and loves Man U, he would never sign in Real Madrid for money like C.Ronaldo wanna do it. If there wasn't a Cantona to bring back the club to the top, maybe Scholes, Giggs..., wouldn't have the career that they have now, and so C.Ronaldo would maybe never sign in Man U, never progress like he did in England.
Cantona helped the club to reach another dimension! Don't forget that!
ERIC THE KING! Tout à fait!
Posted by: Vassili | 18 Sep 2008 13:11:17
eric the king cantona.He inspired everyone in the team to greatness.he wasnt the most naturally talented but he had vision uncompared to anyone. greatness in football requires vision.
Posted by: jeremy | 18 Sep 2008 12:27:24
Eric Cantona. He played like he owned the pitch. And you don't get called "The King" by millions for not being one.
Posted by: Imtyaz | 18 Sep 2008 03:55:15
Eric Cantona. He played like he owned the pitch. And you don't get called "The King" by millions for not being one.
Posted by: Imtyaz | 18 Sep 2008 03:54:47
As much as it pains me to say it... After all he did walk out of his country in the World Cup when he was captain.
However Keane gets my vote.
Full backs ocasionally got the better of Ronaldo and Giggs. Defenders often got the better of Cantona.
No one ever got the better of Keano in midfield.
Posted by: Kevin | 17 Sep 2008 18:17:05
For me Eric Cantona was the greatest ever he could spring from nowhere take out his bag of tricks and save the day, it’s a pity he was left out of the French national team i bet if he could have surpassed the likes of Zidane. Salutations also to George Best, Scholes, Schmeichel, Giggs, and all, the list is endless.
Posted by: Wessie | 17 Sep 2008 09:17:01
Nah. Best player? Wes Brown. Scores in all the important games.
Posted by: John Tee-Rhodes | 15 Sep 2008 13:48:47
For me it was a tough decision to make, between George Best and Eric Cantona. Both of them brought so much pleasure to United fans. Both were brilliant individuals and had the big personality that you have to have to be one of the greats.
George brought skills to the game that we hadn't seen before, and Eric brought back to Old Trafford skills that all fans love. I selected George, but only by a whisker. For me there was nothing between them. Both of them have given me fantastic memories that I will never forget. Hopefully, in a few years time Christiano Ronaldo can be looked at in the same vane. He is an excellent player and a pleasure to watch, just like George and Eric, and if he stays I feel sure he will achieve the same levels of patronage at manchester United.
Posted by: Paul Hughes | 13 Sep 2008 08:09:45
im only 14 but i still canappreciate what players like best and duncan have done for the club however ma favourites are Giggs and Cantona. I think you'd be right in saying that were glad Ronaldo's coring for us not against us
Posted by: Ray Dizzle | 9 Sep 2008 19:41:25