Ranking the 5 best Manchester United Players in Premier League history

Birmingham City v Manchester United
Birmingham City v Manchester United

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo

Celtic v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League
Celtic v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo arrived on English shores as a gangly eighteen-year-old with raw talent in 2003 for a 12 million pound fee. He left aged 23 to Real Madrid in a record transfer fee, having won the Balon D'Or for his individual brilliance in 2007-08 netting over 42 goals as Manchester United won the Champions League and Premier League crown.

His time at Manchester United saw Ronaldo transform from a tricky winger to a devastating inside forward. He combined with Wayne Rooney and Tevez to become one of the most complete forwards of the modern game, netting 118 goals in 292 appearances for the Red Devils. The level he reached at Manchester United propelled him to the superstardom that would follow to Real Madrid and then now Juventus where he continues to be an elite professional at 36 years of age, having won the recently concluded Euro 2020 golden boot.

#2 Eric Cantona

<a href='https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/eric-cantona/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>Eric Cantona</a> of Manchester United
Eric Cantona of Manchester United

Much ties the start of Manchester United's successes to the arrival of Eric Cantona from Leeds in 1992. The Talismanic Frenchman scored 82 goals in 182 appearances and became a fan favorite for his cool quotient and wondergoal scoring ability. The Legendary No.7 shirt was a talent who riled players and fans alike with his skill and attitude on the pitch as a dressing room leader to the Class of 92' of youthfull talent such as David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers. Part of the myth of Cantona was the legendary "Kung Fu" kick on a Crystal Palace in 1995 fan that saw him banned from all professional football for over 9 months and subject to suspended criminal charges. His career ended by his retirement at 30 far before many thought he would bow out, another testament to a man who lived life on his own terms, a rarity in professional football.

#1 Wayne Rooney

Manchester United v Roma - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v Roma - UEFA Champions League

Manchester United and England's all-time leading goalscorer, was a prodigious talent whose consistency and fire for the game made him arguably one the best ever to wear the red of Manchester United. With a staggering 253 goals in 559 appearances, Rooney's signing as a teenager billed as the "next big thing" was more than justified, enjoying a spell of immense success winning every single trophy on offer.

His playing style constantly evolved from the young comet like striker relying on pace and finishing power, to the deeper lying role he took up as his career progressed, displaying an array of long range passing ability and attacking thinking that defined Manchester United.

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