Ranking Manchester United's 4 Ballon d'Or winners of all time

Being one of the top clubs in the English top flight, Manchester United have enjoyed immense success over the years. The Red Devils have been crowned Champions of England 20 times in their illustrious history while winning the European Cup three times.

Manchester United touched the pinnacle of football under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson. In the Premier League era, they have won 13 league titles. They have also won two Champions League trophies which mark their dominance and rise in world football.

The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious prize for any footballer as it honors the best footballer on the planet. In regards to the coveted trophy, Manchester United is the most successful English club. Some of the world's greatest footballers have worn United's famous red kit, four of them managing to win the Ballon d'Or in the club's history.

On that note, let us take a look at

Manchester United's 4 Ballon d'Or winners of all time

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#4 Denis Law

Denis Law

Denis Law is arguably the greatest striker to have ever played for Manchester United. The Scottish legend is third on the all-time top goalscorer list for the Red Devils with 237 goals. He helped the club win two English Championships and one European Cup, among other notable accolades.

With 237 goals to his name, Law was rightly called 'Denis the Menace' for his exploits. The legendary centre-forward was a prolific striker and would often create trouble for defenders with his movements. He was truly a menace to the opposition in every sense. He had one of the best goal-to-game ratios in the history of Manchester United.

Law was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 1964 and he remains the only Scottish player to have ever won the award.

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#3 George Best

Northern Ireland v Russia - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

The most electrifying persona of the 'Holy Trinity', George Best was a 'Red Devil' in the truest sense. Operating on the flanks, George Best was a true enigma with the ball and had the ability to do wonders on the football pitch. Best possessed a unique mixture of pace and dribbling skills, which made him terrorize opposition with utter ease.

Best was a vital cog in Manchester United's success, helping them win a plethora of trophies during his tenure. The 'Number 7' racked up 179 goals in about 470 appearances for the Red Devils, cementing his legacy as one of the greats of the game. Best was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 1968 for his exploits in the European Cup that year.

#2 Sir Bobby Charlton

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League

Sir Bobby Charlton has a different place in the history books. He is one of the survivors of Manchester United's tragic Munich air disaster in 1958. The legendary footballer rose to become a significant chapter in the Red Devils' history. He was the talisman for his club and country, helping them on their way to numerous titles during his years.

Charlton was the record top scorer for Manchester United, with 249 goals and England with 49 goals. He was, however, surpassed by another legend, Wayne Rooney, on both the lists. He had all the traits of a great goalscorer, from instinct to prolific finishing, which made him truly a nightmare for the defenders.

In addition to being a sensational attacker, Charlton was also a great passer and was gifted with technical proficiency on the ball. The Englishman helped Manchester United to numerous trophies including three English championships and a European Cup.

Charlton helped England win the FIFA World Cup in 1966, which is their first and only World Cup triumph in history. For his majestic displays, the legendary forward was awarded the Ballon d'Or award that very year.

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#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Atalanta v Manchester United: Group F - UEFA Champions League

It is extremely hard to keep Cristiano Ronaldo out while compiling any list of Manchester United's greatest ever players. The Portuguese great has stamped his authority everywhere he has played, even on the Ballon d'Or podium over the years.

Following his transfer from Sporting to Manchester United in 2003, Cristiano took the Premier League by storm. He rose to prominence under Sir Alex Ferguson's guidance to become one of the best in the world. The Portuguese's daunting forward runs from the left was a nightmare for even the most organized opposition. He dislodged defenses with utter ease.

In addition to his extravagant skillset, Ronaldo was especially effective up front in the last three years of his first stint at Old Trafford. The legendary left-winger helped United rack up three consecutive Premier League titles from 2007 to 2009, winning the coveted Ballon d'Or in 2008.

Ronaldo has won four more Ballon d'Or awards since then, cementing his legacy as one of the greats of the game. But his first Ballon d'Or award was special and arguably his best year. He helped Manchester United rack up five trophies in 2008.

Following his stints at Real Madrid and Juventus, Ronaldo has again returned to his former club in the summer of 2021. Till date, the Portuguese has racked up 127 goals and 70 assists for the Red Devils.