Best Academy Products: 10 greatest graduates of all time from Manchester United

#9 Johnny Giles

Giles was named the greatest Irishman of his time

Johnny Giles was an Irishman from Dublin who found his way to Manchester United in 1956 as a 16-year-old. It was a time when Matt Busby was developing his fantastic ‘Busby Babes’ side featuring the likes of Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, Dennis Viollet and Roger Byrne.

Giles probably wasn’t expecting it at all when his promotion to the first team was fast-tracked following the tragic Munich plane crash in 1958. He went on to make 93 appearances for United before his relationship with Matt Busby failed, after which he was sold to Leeds United.

It was at Leeds where Giles became a footballing legend. He formed a brilliant partnership with Billy Bremner in midfield as the Don Revie-led Leeds team went on to multiple domestic and continental honours in a highly successful period.

He was a hard-tackling physical player who also had a creative side to his game. Giles also played for his country for 20 years, 9 of them as player-manager. His stature in the game was recognised when named as the Greatest Irish Player of the last 50 Years in 2004.