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So who are the best Manchester United defenders of all times? Although the present is not good, Manchester United have hada glorious past. The team has always been an excellent balance between attack,midfield and defencethroughout their history. From that, let's take a look at five of the best defenders to have played for Manchester United.
#5 Nemanja Vidic
The Serbian terminator is one of the best defenders ever to have graced the fine grass of old Trafford. Bought for a paltry 6 Million, he was one of the best bargain buys of Sir Alex Ferguson.
He was one of the few players who have been signed in the winter transfer window and became successful. Often praised for his no-nonsense defending and aggressive approach, Vidic was far more than that.
He had a keen eye for the ball and nine times out of ten; he would get the tackle right. His best ever performances were in the 2007/08 season when United won the European double and engineered one of the finest teams in the past decade.
He is the only player to have the PFA Player of the year award twice and being a defender, that is quite an achievement. Vidic’s aerial was unmatched and striker had a chance against him in an aerial battle.
A tough, physical defender who was a commanding presence in the air, Vidic defined the way a footballer should defend. All that mattered to him was the team winning and he made every effort to ensure that happened.
While he has left United to enter another stage of his career, he will always be missed at the Theatre of dreams.
#4 Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand was quite the opposite of Vidic and that’s what made them one of the most devastating pairs. Unlike his Serbian partner, Ferdinand always took a calculated approach to the game.
His astute reading coupled with the excellent timing of his tackles made him one of the most complete defenders. Although his pace reduced with age, at his prime, few could beat him for pace.
When Sir Alex purchased him from Leeds United, the move was questioned for two reasons. One, was he worth the 28mn price tag? Second, was he worth it to buy for 28mn from our rivals?
Well, 12 years later, as of today, no one would even dares pose such a question. Such is the magnitude of his contribution to the club. A person known for changing to ridiculous hairstyles, Ferdinand was a refreshing change from the typical aggressive defender.
He had his own style of aggression. He would play in a style that would complement the striker’s and he reveled in outfox opposition attackers.
Often the tactical half of a contrasting defensive pair, Ferdinand portrayed a striking resemblance to Milan great Maldini . Neither would use brute force to win the ball but had a certain elegance to their game.
While the controversies he may have faced are quite disturbing, when it came to performing on the field, Ferdinand always got the job done for you.
#3 Gary Pallister
He was 6ft 5 inch. He won the Premier League four times and he was one of the few players to have debuted for the national side while not being in the top flight.
Now, that’s Gary Pallister for you. One of the greatest centre-backs to have played for Manchester United, Pallister formed a partnership so great with Steve Bruce that it is revered even today.
One half of the famous “Dolly and Daisy”, Pallister made a name for himself by asserting his dominance over the Premier league attackers with his rock-like presence at the back.
Despite having a skinny frame, Pallister could outmuscle nearly anyone up gainst him. He won four Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a European Cup Winners Cup.
He joined United for a record 2.3 mn, and as we look back today, that seems to be a paltry sum for such a player. He was another United defender who was voted PFA Player of the year. He won this prestigious award in 1992.
While the partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic are a treat to watch, Pallister and Bruce were just as good, and maybe, even better.
#2 Jaap Stam
When Sir Alex Ferguson goes out of the way to say that he made a mistake by selling you, then you are special. He was the most expensive defender in history when Manchester United bought him for 10.6 mn.
Jaap Stam was a vital member of that team that won the 1999 Champions League. Dominant in the air, gifted with the feet, he defended in a way no one else did. Stam was as close as Manchester United ever got to the perfect defender.
He was voted the best club defender by UEFA for two consecutive years and won the Johan Cryuff Shield in 1997. He was one of the greatest signings of Sir Alex and was always a cherished figure at Stretford End and even so many years after his departure, his position remains just as strong as it was then.
The most successful part of his career was at Old Trafford where he won three Premier League medals and a Champions League. Although his United career came to a rather sad end, the enigma that Stam was shall never be forgotten. If only his career at Old Trafford hadn’t ended so abruptly, he might have topped this list.
#1 Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce is often regarded as the finest center back to have graced the Old Trafford pitch. And in my words, all opinions suggesting that are justified.
On the field, he was a bull. It still baffles everyone as to how he was never selected for the national team. He was a player you couldn’t bully or try to overpower.
For a defender, he scored a good number of goals and kept the team ticking. The highlight of his career was the 1990/91 season where he finished as the highest goalscorer of the club for that season with 19 goals.
As mentioned earlier, his partnership was Gary Pallister was devastating. Bruce’s combative style was well complemented by Pallister’s reactive play and they were the heart of the team at the back. Steve Bruce may not have been the most reputed or the most stylish one, but on the field, he was a player who was highly regarded by his teammates and coach.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Steve Bruce is the greatest defender to have donned the iconic red jersey of Manchester United.
