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Manchester United are undeniably one of the greatest football clubs in the world. Founded in 1878 as 'Newton Heath LYR F.C.', and later renamed 'Manchester United' in 1902, the club has been represented by some top-notch quality over the years.
As the club has grown into the biggest club in England, it isn't very surprising to note that some of the best players in the world have plied their trade on the lush green track at Old Trafford. Naturally, success followed.
Having won a record-tally of 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, and 21 FA Community Shields, Manchester United have, at the moment, cemented their place as England's biggest club.
The club has also tasted glory on the European stage, having won 3 UEFA Champions League titles and 1 UEFA Europa League title. Now, there's little doubt that you need the best of players in order to amass such titles.
Over the years, the turf at Old Trafford has been graced by the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and most recently, Cristiano Ronaldo. While some players made a quick mark and left, some stayed for decades, making the team truly their own.
Even today, the club is represented by some excellent talent. After the Sir Alex Ferguson era, trophies have been hard to come by, but talent most definitely hasn't. On that note, here's a look at 5 of Manchester United's longest-serving players at the moment:
#5 David De Gea
Joined the club: 1st July 2011
Contracted until: 30th June 2019
Seasons spent at Manchester United: 7
The great Sir Alex Ferguson is said to have only missed 2 Manchester United matches during his 27-year-long managerial career at Old Trafford - One, was on account of his son's wedding. The other, was to scout David de Gea.
At the time, the Spaniard had begun making waves across Europe with some impressive performances for Atletico Madrid. On the other hand, Edwin van der Sar's powers were visibly waning, and the Red Devils knew they needed someone to secure the spot between the sticks once the Dutchman had wrapped up his career.
However, Sir Alex only had eyes for one alternative. It seemed as though the legendary Scottish manager had seen something special. In hindsight, he could not have been more accurate.
De Gea eventually signed for Manchester United in 2011, for a British record fee for a goalkeeper in the ballpark of £19 million. Since then, there has simply been no turning back. Over the next few seasons at United, David de Gea slowly, but steadily, began to stake his claim as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world.
Today, 7 seasons, and 301 appearances later, the Red Devils' guardian is undeniably one of the best in the world, and has single-handedly saved his team on multiple occasions. As Jose Mourinho attempts to carve out a niche for himself in United's managerial history, David de Gea will most certainly be one of the biggest players to help influence that.
Aged just 27, unless a bigger European super-power comes calling, it is extremely likely that United will be blessed with De Gea's skills for at least a few more years - which could be enough time for United to establish themselves once again on the pedestal they once commanded.
#4 Phil Jones
Joined the club: 1st July 2011
Contracted until: 30th June 2019
Seasons spent at Manchester United: 7
Another acquisition from the summer of 2011, Phil Jones was signed from Blackburn Rovers after he impressed Sir Alex Ferguson, when Manchester United took on Blackburn - Coincidentally, in a game that was drawn, but couldn't prevent United from winning the Premier League title.
Jones subsequently signed for United in July 2011, for a fee of approximately £16.8 million, joining the likes of David de Gea and Ashley Young as the club's new arrivals. The Englishman has since been a crucial and versatile part of the club. Having played in a number of positions, ranging from centre-back to a box-to-box midfielder at times, Phil Jones is now an out-and-out centre-back for Jose Mourinho's side.
Alongside Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling, Jones has now become a part of one of the strongest defences in England. Notably, the Englishman has made nearly 190 appearances in a United shirt and has lifted 5 trophies with the Red Devils - including the Premier League title in the 2012-13 season.
#3 Chris Smalling
Joined the club: 1st July 2010
Contracted until: 30th June 2019
Seasons spent at Manchester United: 8
Due to some excellent performances with Fulham, in 2010, Manchester United came calling for the Englishman. Now, Fulham may have been the finalists in the UEFA Europa League, but there was no way they could fend off interest from the Red Devils.
Expectedly, Smalling soon became a Manchester United player, for an undisclosed fee, with the deal officially being completed in July 2010. Since then, Smalling has also become a household name in England, having been at Manchester United for nearly 8 full seasons now.
Over the years, Smalling, too, has had to express versatility and was played at times, as a right-back. Now, however, he too has settled well into the centre-back role and is relied upon heavily by his managers.
In his 7 full seasons at the club, Smalling has lifted 8 trophies with the Red Devils, including two Premier League titles in 2010-11 and 2012-13. With 273 appearances across all competitions, Chris Smalling has grown into a crucial figure at the back for Manchester United, and will undoubtedly continue to be so in the seasons to follow.
#2 Antonio Valencia
Joined the club: 1st July 2009
Contracted until: 30th June 2019
Seasons spent at Manchester United: 9
Manchester United's tireless workhorse, Antonio Valencia, may have slipped under the radar of importance every now and then, but, in truth, without him, United may well be in tatters. The Ecuadorian started to grab attention with his performances for Wigan Athletic. In January 2009, Valencia reportedly turned down an offer to join Real Madrid, as later confirmed by Wigan gaffer Steve Bruce.
Just 6 months later, in June, Valencia became United's first summer signing, putting pen to paper on a 4-year contract, said to have cost the Red Devils a fee of around £16 million. Originally a winger, Valencia couldn't make as much as a dent as he'd have liked.
However, the occasional deployment as a right-back or left-back became a permanent tactic under Louis van Gaal. Valencia's transition from being a winger to a full-back has, perhaps, been the best thing that has happened to him, and the club.
Over the last few seasons, Valencia has become one of the best right-backs in the world, and often even leads the Red Devils in the absence of Micheal Carrick, proudly wearing the captain's armband. In his 8 seasons at Old Trafford, Valencia has made a whopping 317 appearances for the Red Devils and has a won a total of 9 trophies.
#1 Michael Carrick
Joined the club: 31st July 2006
Contracted until: 30th June 2018
Seasons spent at Manchester United: 12
Manchester United's current longest-serving player, Michael Carrick, has been around for a staggering time-period of 12 long years.
In 2006, The Englishman was one of the best midfielders to be playing for Tottenham Hotspur at the time, and despite Spurs' gaffer Martin Jol insisting that he'd keep Carrick, the Englishman completed a move to Old Trafford at the end of July 2006, for an initial transfer fee of £14 million, which was expected to rise to £18.6 million - Notably, making Carrick the then 6th-most expensive Manchester United signing.
12 years later, that fee seems like a bargain. During his time in Manchester, Carrick has been one of the greatest servants of the game, and the club, and has made a whopping total of 461 appearances for Manchester United.
Named the club's vice-captain by Louis van Gaal in 2014, Carrick recently replaced former club captain Wayne Rooney as the leader of the pack. In his 12 seasons with the Manchester-based club, Carrick has lifted a staggering total of 18 trophies, including 5 Premier League titles, and 1 UEFA Champions League title.
A solid team player, Micheal Carrick announced that he will be retiring at the end of the ongoing 2017-18 season, but also accepted an offer to return to the club as a part of the first-team coaching staff next season.
