Manchester United fans have been treated to some truly brilliant lineups over the years.
Supporters have been blessed with the treble winning team of 1999 – which included legends such as David Beckham and Ryan Giggs – while the 2008 side involved Cristiano Ronaldo in his Ballon d’Or winning form, the first of his five victories on that front.
With talents like this working under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, it is no wonder Manchester United hoovered up 38 trophies in total under the Glaswegian – and many before his arrival in 1986.
On that note, let’s take a look at the best XI in the history of Manchester United.
Peter Schmeichel
- Appearances: 398
- Goals: 1
- Clean sheets: 180
- Goals conceded: 328
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 15
Peter Schmeichel is undoubtedly the best goalkeeper to ever man the sticks for Manchester United.
The Dane conceded fewer goals than games played for the Red Devils – and was the No.1 under Ferguson during that remarkable treble winning campaign of 1998/99.
Denis Irwin
- Appearances: 529
- Goals: 33
- Assists: 25
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 18
Denis Irwin, who admires Trent Alexander-Arnold, was a model professional in every sense of the phrase.
The Irishman won a trophy every 29 games on average during his illustrious time at Old Trafford – and goes down as a certainty on the left of defence in our XI.
Like Schmeichel, Irwin was also part of the treble-winning side.
Nobby Stiles
- Appearances: 391
- Goals: 18
- Assists: 11
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 6 (also a FIFA World Cup winner with England)
Nobby Stiles is a true legend of the game.
The defender played every minute for England during that FIFA World Cup win back in 1966, and also earned a place in the PFA Team of the Century – as well as the English Football Hall of Fame – for his committed displays at Manchester United, and for the Three Lions.
Steve Bruce
- Appearances: 412
- Goals: 50
- Assists: 6
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 12
Steve Bruce possessed a remarkable knack of scoring goals from defence during his time at Old Trafford – averaging a goal every eight games.
The towering central defender helped Manchester United win 12 trophies, with Gary Neville describing his partnership alongside Gary Pallister as the best in Old Trafford history.
Gary Neville
- Appearances: 600
- Goals: 7
- Assists: 50
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 21
Few could argue against Neville taking the right-back spot in this XI.
Winner of a trophy every 28 games on average across his 600 appearances, the passionate defender played a vital role in ensuring Manchester United were a dominant force within English football under Ferguson for many years.
To add icing on top of the cake, Neville was also a product of the Manchester United academy – and clearly loved playing for the Red Devils.
Roy Keane
- Appearances: 479
- Goals: 51
- Assists: 41
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 17
Many regard Roy Keane as the best central midfielder in the history of Manchester United.
His finest hour came during the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League semi-final against Juventus, where, despite picking up a yellow card which would rule him out of the final, the Irishman battled on, scoring a crucial goal which later ensured Manchester United won the treble.
Discussing that performance, Ferguson said of Keane: “It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field. Pounding over every blade of grass, competing as if he would rather die of exhaustion than lose, he inspired all around him. I felt it was an honour to be associated with such a player.”
Sir Bobby Charlton
- Appearances: 746
- Goals: 245
- Assists: 46
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 7 (also a FIFA World Cup winner with England)
- 1966 Ballon d’Or
One of four Ballon d’Or winners on this list, Sir Bobby Charlton cannot be ignored – he even has a stand named after him at Old Trafford.
The 1966 FIFA World Cup winner – who sits second on Manchester United’s list of record goalscorers behind Wayne Rooney – needs little said about his vast accomplishments, in truth.
Eric Cantona
- Appearances: 185
- Goals: 82
- Assists: 62
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 9
Eric Cantona – who shocked Alan Shearer – was a transformative signing for Manchester United.
The Frenchman helped the Red Devils win a top-flight title for the first time in 26 years after his arrival from rivals Leeds United, leading the aforementioned Keane to say: “Collar turned up, back straight, chest stuck out, Eric glided into the arena as if he owned the place.”
Cantona sits ninth on the list of Manchester United’s record Premier League goalscorers, bagging 64 in 143 games.
Denis Law
- Appearances: 405
- Goals: 237
- Assists: 26
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 6
- 1964 Ballon d’Or
Like Charlton, Denis Law is another who needs little introduction.
The man born in Aberdeen bagged 237 goals in 405 appearances for Manchester United, winning the 1964 Ballon d’Or award and helping the Red Devils secure six trophies.
George Best
- Appearances: 470
- Goals: 179
- Assists: 29
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 5
- 1968 Ballon d’Or
Yet another Ballon d’Or winner on this list, George Best became a legend at Old Trafford.
The Irishman won countless individual awards while at Manchester United, with his efforts landing him a place in the English Football Hall of Fame – he also finished eighth in World Soccer’s The Greatest Players of the 20th century rankings.
Cristiano Ronaldo
- Appearances: 346
- Goals: 145
- Assists: 64
- Trophies won at Manchester United: 9
- 2008 Ballon d’Or (while at Manchester United) plus four at Real Madrid
Ronaldo is the greatest footballer to represent Manchester United in the 21st century.
The Portugal international – who is still delivering goals in Saudi Arabia at the age of 40 – boasts five Ballon d’Ors, a tally bettered only by Lionel Messi, and earned Manchester United a sum of £80m when Real Madrid came calling in 2009, a world record fee at the time.
- Peter Schmeichel
- Denis Irwin
- Nobby Stiles
- Steve Bruce
- Gary Neville
- Roy Keane
- Sir Bobby Charlton
- Eric Cantona
- Denis Law
- George Best
- Cristiano Ronaldo
In total, this star-studded XI won a combined 130 trophies for Manchester United, and would be a strong match for any side throughout football history, without a shadow of a doubt.
