'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwb/2gAIAQEAAAAAgG//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAC//xAAgEAABAwQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEAAURIRITIlGS/9oACAEBAAE/AIsuTJuC5LMbLMbg412KGl8gEpO9pHkAPQFGHeEnDTtsS2NJAjqwB9V//8QAFxEBAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQADMf/aAAgBAgEBPwAuXZ//xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIT/9oACAEDAQE/ANbABP/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Rafael da Silva
If Heinze was the first, Rafael was the best. The Brazilian joined Manchester United in 2008, along with his brother Fabio, from Fluminense. Rafael took on the challenge of replacing club legend Gary Neville. The full-back also brought some of the feisty and aggressive play normally associated with Neville.
Rafael was Manchester United's first-choice right-back towards the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure. His fearless and energetic playing style made him a fan-favourite at Manchester. Under Sir Alex, the full-back won three Premier League titles, FIFA Club World Cup, League Cup, and Community Sheild.
But, following the retirement of the legendary manager, Rafael struggled to get into the starting lineup. Injury troubles saw the Brazilian missing couple of matches in the latter stages of his career. Rafael finally ended an eight-season relationship in 2016, moving to Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon.
Rafael ended his Manchester United career with 170 league appearances and five goals.
#2 Carlos Tevez
From forming one of the most fearsome trios in Premier League history to joining rival team Manchester City, Carlos Tevez had a roller-coaster career at Manchester. The Argentine joined Manchester United in 2007 following a loan move from West Ham United.
Tevez, along with Rooney and Ronaldo, formed one of the best attacking trios in Premier League history. The trio scored more than 70% of United's goals that season as Tevez won the Premier League and Champions League in his debut season.
A similar season followed for the Argentine as Manchester United retained Premier League and added the League Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. But an acrimonious exit followed for the Argentine at the end of the 2008-09 season. Tevez rejected a chance to sign for the Red Devils and moved to city rivals Manchester City.
Despite his bitter exit, Tevez is the most prolific South American forward to have played for the Red Devils. The Argentine made 99 appearances and scored 34 times during his two-year spell.
#1 Antonio Valencia
It is not always easy to fill the void left by a legendary player. Antonio Valencia, on his arrival, had the difficult task of filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Ecuadorian joined Manchester United in 2009 after an impressive two seasons with Wigan Athletic.
Valencia had a stellar debut season, winning the League Cup and making his only appearance in the PFA Team of the Year. He was one of the best performers for Sir Alex Ferguson towards the end of his era. Under Ferguson, Valencia became the first Ecuadorian to win the Premier League title.
Following the legendary manager's exit and the subsequent turmoil, Valencia made a permanent switch to right back. He became the first non-European player to captain Manchester United following the retirement of Michael Carrick in 2016.
Valencia spent ten seasons at Old Trafford. During this period, the Ecuadorian won two Premier League title, two League Cups, FA Cup and the Europa League. He left the club in 2019 after making 339 appearances and scoring 25 goals.
He is one of the few players that have played at Manchester United under Sir Alex, Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho and Solskjaer.
