Top 5 goalscorers in Manchester United history

The United Trinity
The United Trinity

To score a goal for Manchester United is a matter of football heritage. Becoming a record goalscorer for the Red Devils reserves you a place in Mancunian heaven.

For the men who have done it, the game has rewarded them with all the glory they deserve. For men who are yet to, they are not short of examples of former (and current) Devils who have bled to score in order to bring glory to one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world, Manchester United.

On that note, let's take a quick look at the

Top 5 goalscorers in Manchester United history


#5 George Best

Manchester United FC v PSV Eindhoven - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United FC v PSV Eindhoven - UEFA Champions League

"Going on up to the spirits in the sky,

It's where I wanna go when I die,

When I die and you lay me to rest,

I wanna go on the p*** with Georgie Best...!"

George Best was one of the greatest players to ever play a game for Manchester United, and probably one of the greatest players in the history of football. One third of the famous United Trinity, George Best is a United hero who went on to win titles of paramount importance to Manchester United's immense heritage.

A player who left behind a legacy that saw him achieve numerous titles for the club and the 1968 Ballon d'Or.

A two-time English Champion (1967 & 1965), a one-time English FA Cup winner (1963) and winner of the prestigious European Championship in the 1967-68 season for Manchester United. George Best is right among the most prominent goalscorers for the club with 179 goals to his name across 470 appearances during his time at the club.


#4 Jack Rowley

Jack Rowley in his 17 years as a Manchester United player
Jack Rowley in his 17 years as a Manchester United player

The magical 17 years that United legend Jack Rowley spent at Manchester United would surely go down as one of the most successful periods in their history.

The original "Gunner" from the 1940s Manchester United team. An imperative part of the team under Sir Matt Busby that got Manchester United back into the first division of English football. Rowley played as a centre-forward under the legendary manager.

Jack Rowley was a winner of the FA Cup from the 1948 season and a champion of the English Football League in the same season. Jack Rowley finds himself as #4 on the list of the greatest goalscoring players for Manchester United with his astronomical 211 goals for the elite club.

#3 Denis Law

Manchester United v West Ham United - Premier League
Manchester United v West Ham United - Premier League

As the chant for Manchester United legend Denis Law goes,

"As I was walking down Manchester Way,

A thousand supporters were coming my way,

I stood near the stadium and heard the crowd roar,

United had scored, It's the great Denis Law!"

The man right in the middle of Manchester United's Holy Trinity. Denis Law CBE was one of the greatest footballers to ever don the red of Manchester United. He spent 11 glorious years at Old Trafford, and each one was better than the last. He contributed immensely to the club and finds himself as #3 on the list of the highest scoring players to ever play for Manchester United.

The famous recipient of the 1964 Ballon d'Or, the winner of the European Champions Cup in the 1967-68 season, a two-time winner of the English Championship (1965 & 1967), an English FA Cup winner in 1963 and a two-time English Super Cup winner (1965 & 1967). Denis Law is surely one of the greatest players to have played at Old Trafford.


#2 Sir Bobby Charlton

Royal Mail Stamp Launch
Royal Mail Stamp Launch

Sir Robert Charlton CBE is probably England's greatest ever player. He is also one of the survivors of English football's worst tragedies - Manchester United's tragic Munich air disaster.

To have overcome tragedy and yet embrace enormous success is what has defined his prime years in the game. Charlton was the top scorer for the Three Lions, as well as for Manchester United with an extraordinary tally of 249 goals. The record was only surpassed in the modern era by another club legend, Wayne Rooney.

A World Cup winner for England in 1966, a three-time English champion with Manchester United (1957, 1965, 1967), winner of the European Cup in the 1967-68 season and recipient of the Ballon d'Or.

Sir Bobby Charlton, with his accolades and experience, has truly reserved a place in the history books for Manchester United as one of the highest scoring goalscorers of all time.


#1 Wayne Rooney

Manchester United v Arsenal - FA Cup Quarter Final
Manchester United v Arsenal - FA Cup Quarter Final

Probably the only Scouser adored and revered in the eyes of the Mancunian Reds. Wayne Rooney is the most prolific goal scorer in Manchester United's history, with 253 goals to his name in a total of 559 appearances for the club.

A spell that saw him become an incremental part of United's DNA when he signed from Merseyside club - Everton at just 19 years of age.

Boy, did he score screamers! A notable goal that jumps to mind is surely the one he scored with an overhead kick against Manchester City in 2011.

Wazza is a name he was known by those close to him at the club. He is surely one of the all-time greatest English icons as well - with him also being the highest goalscorer in the history of the Three Lions.

A five-time English Premier League Champion (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013), Winner of the UEFA Champions League in the 2007-08 season, a four-time English League Cup winner (2006, 2009, 2010, 2017). Additionally, the English FA Cup & UEFA Europa League titles from 2016 are surely ones that cement his place as the greatest goalscorer in Manchester United's history.

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