In Manchester United’s 115-year history, a number of players donned the iconic red jersey in different era’s have gone on to produce some of the most amazing moments in football. The Busby Babes, Fergie’s Fledglings, the 1999 treble, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury time winner, the 2008 Champions League triumph and many such moments are something that define Manchester United.
In all of these moments, some players had a lasting impact while some not so much. Most of these players have been replaced by another talent and somehow, there was always a sense of continuity in the Red half of Manchester.
However there are some uber talented and exceptional players whose impact at the club was far too much than what their successors would ever have. Be it the pressure of playing at the highest level week in, week out, or simply the burden of expectation piled on them from the fans, media and club hierarchy, they could show nothing more than glimpses of the brilliance of their predecessors.
Here, we bring you 5 such Manchester United players who left a far too big a void at the club to fill.
#5 Gary Neville
An important and under appreciated servant of the club for nearly 20 years, Gary Neville’s rise through the youth ranks into the first team was due to his sheer determination and hard work. He was one of the best right backs to ever wear the Manchester United and England shirt.
No flashiness or no over-the-top play, the English defender played to his strengths and was part of the iconic crop of young players known as Fergie’s Fledglings.
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Fast forward to the present day, a number of right backs have tried to fill Neville’s shoes but none came close, except for Rafael. The Brazilian was talented, but inconsistency and niggling injuries kept him out of continuous first team football.
Matteo Darmian was brought in 2015 to fill in for the Brazilian who departed for Lyon. So far, the Italian has not been able to nail down a first team spot due to Antonio Valencia’s impressive form at right back. With names such as Fabinho and Nelson Semedo doing the rounds, only time will tell if Neville can rightly call someone his true successor.
#4 Roy Keane
One of the most fierce and volatile personalities to ever step on the football pitch, Roy Keane was perhaps the ideal leader that any side needed. If Keane didn’t like someone, they sure did come to know of it. Robust challenges, duels with Patrick Viera, arguing with anyone on the pitch and an undying passion defined the Irishman’s tenure at the heart of Manchester United’s midfield.
In today’s age where any small altercation can spark off a flurry of cards, it isn’t possible for anyone to emulate Roy Keane’s style of football. However since his unceremonious departure, his successors such as Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves could never produce the same style of play and evoke the emotion and passion in the players around him.
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Morgan Schneiderlin came into the Manchester United team with much promise. Underutilised by both van Gaal and Mourinho, the Frenchman departed for Everton. Ander Hererra, with his passion and hard work, is slowly but steadily looking like the player who can actually be a player close to Keane’s ability.
#3 Paul Scholes
Another player from the ‘Class of 92’, Scholes was perhaps the most complete midfielder that Manchester United could boast of. Possessing a vision and touch that would give Andres Iniesta a run for his money, he also had a knack for scoring spectacular goals. Needless to say, his second and final retirement left a hole in the Manchester United midfield, which to this day has not been filled.
Scholes’ teammate Michael Carrick was expected to finally shine when the former left the game, but sadly Carrick doesn’t influence games as much as Scholes did, and most importantly, doesn’t score as many goals. Since Jose Mourinho’s appointment, Carrick has played a vital role for United.
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Another Paul however possess round about the same qualities that Scholse could boast of – Paul Pogba – the most expensive transfer. At the ripe age of 23 Pogba, has got enough time to establish himself as the midfield general that the Stretford End has missed over the past few years.
#2 Nemanja Vidic
It’s hard to believe the Serbian joined Manchester United for just £7 million, considering the amounts spent on young or average center backs these days. Vidic was a rare kind of defender in the modern game. Last ditch tackles, getting his head amongst the flying boots, putting his body on the line are just some of the things which were synonymous with him.
Alongside Rio Ferdinand, they formed the best defensive partnership the Premier League has ever seen.
With age catching up, Vidic left for Inter Milan and since then, United’s defence have been in shambles. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones were pretty much expected to succeed him, but Smalling’s inconsistency and Jones’ long spells out due to injury meant that was not to be.
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Manchester United’s latest defensive recruit, Eric Bailly is a tall and powerful figure, but is surprisingly agile and fast. Bailly was an unknown commodity in football prior to his exploits for Villarreal.
The Red Devils management saw the immense raw potential in him and snapped him up for £30 million. Mourinho can develop him much like he did with Rafael Varane at Real Madrid which could see the Ivorian stay at Manchester United for years to come.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
How Manchester United miss the Portuguese superstar! There are simply no words to measure how big a void Ronaldo left at Old Trafford. People talk about filling square pegs in round holes, but there is simply no peg that could fill this huge hole.
A one-of-a-kind footballer, Ronaldo won over Manchester United supporters in such a way that they still dream of their former player’s return someday. Mesmerising dribbles, thunderous shots and immaculate free kicks - that was what he brought to the game.
Like all star players, Cristiano Ronaldo fulfilled his dream of playing for Los Blancos in 2009 for a world record transfer. Thus began the process of replacing Ronaldo. Nani, Antonio Valencia, Angel di Maria and lastly Memphis Depay didn’t come close to matching Ronaldo’s achievements.
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It is a not an easy task to fill the boots of a player who scores 30+ goals. Right now the No. 7 has no wearers but it is widely tipped that Antoine Griezmann will don the jersey come next summer.
