Where Does Cristiano Ronaldo Rank In the All Time List Of Manchester United Legends?

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England football legend George Best on pitch

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A long and distinguished list of legends have graced Old Trafford and below is a list of 10 of the very finest to wear the red shirt. 

Does Cristiano Ronaldo rank among some of these greats from yesteryear? And if he does where should he fit in and who should he replace? Time to find out … Cast your vote here!

10. Peter Schmeichel – (1991-1999)

Appearances/Goals: 292/0

One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most astute forays into the transfer market was surely when he handed Danish side Brondby a mere £530,000 for Schmeichel in 1991.

The great Dane went on to become one of the greatest goalkeepers United have ever seen and indeed was twice voted ‘World’s Best Goalkeeper’ in 1992 and 1993.

A huge physical presence, his command of the penalty area, decision making, and legendary bawling out of defenders gave United a formidable defensive foundation on which they built huge success.

In his final season at United he captured a historic Treble, and with Roy Keane suspended for the final of the Champions League, he proudly took the armband as United beat Bayern Munich 2-1.

9. Bryan Robson – (1981-1994)

Appearances/Goals: 461/98

Dubbed ‘Captain Marvel’, Bryan Robson was an inspirational skipper, a true midfield general who led by example and often seemed to cover every blade of grass

He wasn’t the quickest, but Robson was a superb passer and excellent tackler with an eye for goal and great aerial ability.

Yet it was his sheer determination and will to win that saw him drag his side through matches and make him a true great.

Whilst injury blighted his career he managed to sign off in style, becoming the first United captain to win the FA Cup three times and claiming two league titles, the first of which was the Red Devils’ first in over 20 years.

8. Dennis Viollet (1950-1962)

Appearances/Goals: 293/179

Old Trafford has had the privilege of seeing many prolific goalscorers over the years but Dennis Viollet is undoubtedly one of the very best.

A Munich survivor who possessed unbelievable pace and an unerring eye for goal, he scored 179 goals in only 293 appearances and an incredible 32 league goals in only 36 games in the 1959/60 season.

Often underrated, and with only two international caps to his name, his goalscoring record is second to none and ensures he is United’s fourth highest top scorer.

Other strikers have come and gone at the club including such star names as Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, Mark Hughes and Brian McClair, but none have got close to Viollet’s record.

7. Roy Keane (1993-2005)

Appearances/Goals: 480/51

Loved by United fans, loathed by the opposition, there is no denying that Roy Keane made an indelible mark on United’s history.

A snarling, uncompromising midfielder, tough in the tackle and with an aggressive nature that often saw him overstep the mark, but ensured he was an inspirational leader.

The Irishman underlined his legendary status with a phenomenal performance in the Champions League semi-final against Juventus in Turin in 1999.

Despite being two goals down, Keane single-handedly hauled his team back into the games, scoring and forcing them forwards to win the game 3-2, despite having picked up a booking that he knew would rule him out of the final.

6. Duncan Edwards (1953-1958)

Appearances/Goals: 177/21

Had his career not been tragically cut short by the Munich air crash there is every possibility that ‘Big Dunc’ would top this list.

Edwards was only 21 when he died yet had already claimed over 150 appearances for United, picking up 18 England caps.

Powerful, versatile and dynamic there was little Edwards couldn’t do on a football pitch and he appeared destined for greatness.

However, the game was robbed of his talent and he is best described by team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton.

“I totally believe he was the best player I ever saw or am likely to see,” said Sir Bobby, “He was the only person I felt intimidated by. I was never going to be as good as him.”

5. Ryan Giggs (1990 - )

Appearances/Goals: 781*/14*

Incredibly the Welsh wing wizard holds the club’s appearance record, and despite being 35, he shows few signs of slowing down.

Hailed as the finest winger of his generation, he is also one of the most decorated players in football with 10 league titles and two European Cups to his name, a tally he may well add to before he hangs up his boots.

A silky left winger, who can dribble at pace, score goals and possesses the ability to give his marker “twisted blood” as former defender Gary Pallister once famously acknowledged, he has recently been reinvented as central midfielder in order to save his legs and prolong his career.

His legendary status was confirmed early on in his career, with a superb individual goal against Arsenal in the semi final of the 1999 FA Cup.

Giggs, picked up the ball in his own half and surged forwards beating three Arsenal defenders before smashing it past goalkeeper David Seaman at his near post.

4. Denis Law (1962-1973)

Appearances/Goals: 404/237

Part of the holy trinity of George Best and Bobby Charlton, Denis Law was quite simply a brilliant goalscorer and another United player to be named European Footballer Of The Year.

Only Charlton has scored more goals than Law, albeit in almost twice as many games, and the Scot still holds the record at Old Trafford for the most goals scored in one season, 46 in the 1963/64 season, a record Ronaldo narrowly missed out on last season.

Of course ‘the King’ also famously relegated Manchester United in 1973 whilst playing for neighbours Manchester City.

A backheeled winner from the Scot handed the Sky Blues a 1-0 win and a distraught Law immediately asked to be subbed before retiring from the game shortly afterwards.

3. Eric Cantona (1992-1997)

Appearances/Goals: 185/82

It could be argued that United’s current success can be traced all the way back to November 26 1992, when Sir Alex Ferguson handed Leeds United the paltry sum of £1.2 million and brought Eric Cantona across the Pennines to Old Trafford.

‘King Eric’ led the club to four league titles, including two Premier League and FA Cup doubles and provided the catalyst to a period of prolonged success for the Red Devils.

His influence at the club ran deep and inspired a generation of young players including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt to make United the dominant force in English football for a decade.

A true maverick, and often controversial, he is remembered for exquisite goals, an obscure quote about seagulls and trawlers, and a kung-fu kick aimed at a fan Crystal Palace.

Still revered by the home fans, his name can still be heard sung around Old Trafford today and he was voted the club’s player of the century in 2001.

2. Sir Bobby Charlton (1954-1973)

Appearances/Goals: 758/249

If any man is synonymous with Manchester United, it is Sir Bobby Charlton, a deep roving forward who possessed a lethal shot.

Having survived the Munich air crash, Charlton went on to break records left, right and centre.

He made a massive 758 appearances for the club (which has only recently been surpassed by Ryan Giggs), is the club’s top scorer with 249 goals and still holds the England goalscoring record of 49 goals.

Sir Bobby won everything there was to win in the game, claiming World Cup glory in 1966 as well as captaining United to the European Cup in 1968 and scoring twice, as the Red Devils swept Benfica aside 4-1.

1. George Best (1963-1974)

Appearances/Goals: 470/179

Many, many players have been labelled 'the new George Best’, a man Pele once described as, “the greatest player in the world.”

However, perhaps only Ronaldo himself, has come close to matching his genius, a fact Best himself acknowledged, the year before he died.

“There have been a few players described as the new George Best over the years,” he said. “But this is the first time it's been a compliment to me.”

Arguably the most naturally gifted player ever to grace English football, Best’s audacious skill and ability to beat opponents was unrivalled as he led the Red Devils to European Cup glory in 1968 claiming the European Footballer Of The Year award on his way.

What are your views on this topic? Where would you put Ronaldo among these all-time Manchester United greats? What position would you place him in? Who is the best United player of all time? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think. Click here to vote and leave your comments below, too.

Gill Clark, Goal.com