Gary Lineker singles out Cristiano Ronaldo as Premier League's greatest ever player with four midfielders receiving honourable mentions

The England legend named ex-Manchester United star Ronaldo as the greatest player ever to grace the Premier League. He also name-dropped Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane when listing those who also deserve recognition for their impact on the English top flight.

Ronaldo spent eight years in the English top flight at Manchester United across two different stints. He made 236 appearances for United, scoring 103 goals and laying on 37 assists. The 39-year-old won the league three times with the Red Devils and bagged the Premier League Golden Boot award in the 2007-08 campaign.

Speaking to The Times, Lineker said when asked to name the best ever Premier League player: "Well that was probably [Cristiano] Ronaldo because of what he went on to do. But, gosh, so many great players. You could have a debate just about midfielders and you’d go Gerrard and Scholes and Lampard and Keane and Vieira and so on and so forth."

The Al-Nassr star will be back in action for his club on Monday as the Saudi Pro League giants take on Al Wasl in an AFC Champions League clash.