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Although Manchester United have struggled for trophies in recent years, there's no denying that they remain one of the biggest clubs in world football. The club are still able to attract talented players, and have several superstars playing for them at the moment.
As these players play for a big club like Manchester United, they have been able to garner huge fanbases for themselves, especially on social media platforms like Instagram.
Manchester United boast some of the most followed athletes on Instagram in their squad
Although all Manchester United players are popular on Instagram, a few of them have huge fan followings than others. That's because of their pedigree and activities in the social media handle.
On that note, here is a look at the five Manchester United stars who have the most Instagram followers:
#5 David de Gea - 11.9 million
David de Gea is currently in his 11th season at Manchester United. It's fair to say that the Spaniard has performed extremely well for the Red Devils during his time at the club.
He has been a consistent performer for United in the last decade or so, despite the Reds having a relatively quiet time in terms of trophies. De Gea was part of the United side that last won the Premier League title in 2013. The 30-year-old played a key role in that win, keeping 13 clean sheets in 29 league appearances.
Overall, the former Atletico Madrid man has made 454 appearances for the club across competitions, keeping 157 clean sheets. He has also won the club's Player of the Year trophy four times, including three in a row.
De Gea had a dip in form last season, which saw him making many high-profile errors. He subsequently got replaced by Dean Henderson in between the sticks. But the Spanish international once again looks to be back to his best. He has been a regular starter this season, and has put on two Man of the Match performances in the league.
De Gea has formed a strong bond with the Manchester United fans, having been at the club for such a long time. He is certainly a fan favourite among United supporters, and enjoys a strong following on social media.
#4 Marcus Rashford - 12 million
There's no denying that Marcus Rashford is one of the most influential footballers in the world right now. The Manchester United forward has made a huge impact, both on and off the field, in his relatively short career so far.
After breaking into the Red Devils first team as an 18-year-old during the 2015-16 season, Rashford has been a regular for both club and country. He scored on his debut for United, breaking George Best's record to become the youngest ever scorer for the Red Devils.
Since then, he has scored 91 goals, and registered 57 assists in 275 appearances for the club. He has also won the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League in that period.
Off the field, Rashford has been an inspiration and role model for young kids around the globe. The 24-year-old ensured free school meals were given to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The England international also campaigns against child poverty.
His efforts were rewarded with an MBE last year. Earlier this month, he received a doctorate from the University of Manchester.
Rashford's impact on the lives of people due to his efforts on and off the field shows why he is one of the most followed United players on Instagram.
#3 Raphael Varane - 17.4 million
Manchester United's new centre-back Raphael Varane is the third-most followed Red Devils player on Instagram. He has 17.4 million followers on his official account.
Varane joined the Red Devils after spending ten years at Real Madrid, where he became one of the best centre-backs in the game. The France international made 360 appearances for Los Blancos.
He won several major trophies, including three La Liga and four Champions League trophies. He formed a strong partnership at the back alongside Sergio Ramos. Varane's pace and positioning made him a huge asset for Real Madrid during his time at the club.
The 28-year-old also played a key role in France's victorious FIFA World Cup 2018 campaign. He started in all the games, and also scored a goal in the quarter-final against Uruguay.
So far, Varane has played eight games for Manchester United this season. United will hope he plays a key role in transforming the club's fortunes after a tough start to the season.
#2 Paul Pogba - 49.5 million
Paul Pogba has not hit the same heights that were expected of him since returning to Manchester United in 2016. However, there's no doubt that the Frenchman is one of the most popular footballers in the world. He has a staggering 49.5 million followers on Instagram.
Initially part of the Manchester United U-18s, Pogba left the Red Devils on a free transfer in 2012 in search of regular football. The French midfielder went to Juventus, where he made a name for himself as one of the best midfielders in the game.
The 28-year-old made 178 appearances for the club, registering 34 goals and 40 assists. He won four back-to-back Serie A titles during his time at the club. Pogba also won two Coppa Italias during that period. His stellar exploits saw Manchester United splash out a club record £95 million to bring him back to Old Trafford.
Pogba's form at Manchester United has been fairly inconsistent, given his transfer value. He has registered 38 goals and 52 assists in 218 appearances for the Red Devils. However, he has coped a lot of criticism for his performances on a few occasions.
Like Varane, Pogba was also part of France's 2018 FIFA World Cup-winning team, where he scored a goal in the final against Croatia.
Pogba's performances at the international level certainly makes him a popular face among football fans. He is also constantly active on Instagram, posting about various brands. He also shares funny moments from the dressing room with his teammates.
Pogba's Manchester United contract is set to expire this summer. There are various reports stating that he is not interested in signing a new contract. Pogba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - 361 million
No surprises here. Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the most followed Manchester United player on Instagram, but he is also the most followed person on the entire platform. The Manchester United and Portugal star has 361 million followers on Instagram. That is a mammoth 83 million more than second-placed Lionel Messi.
The former Real Madrid man's social media reach is second to none. The 36-year-old also has many followers on Twitter and Facebook. In fact, the United forward has more followers on Instagram than all of the Premier League teams combined, showing his popularity across the globe.
Cristiano Ronaldo shocked the world when he completed a sensational return to Manchester United this summer. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner joined the Old Trafford outfit after 12 years, completing a move from Juventus for around £14 million.
He has scored seven goals in ten games for the club since his return. That includes late winners against Atlanta and Villarreal in the Champions League. United have struggled for results in the last few weeks. With a goal and an assist against Tottenham Hotspur, Cristiano Ronaldo led from the front as United returned to winning ways.
