Who Are the 5 Toughest Manchester United Players of the EPL Era?

Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, forget Ryan Giggs, this list will focus on the United legends who earned their reputation the hard way—by grinding games out when the going got tough.

Guys who would scare the living daylights out of the opposition before either team had even set foot on the playing field.

Manchester United may not be a club known for breeding them tough, but these five players are the exception.

Steve Bruce

Tough and uncompromising, Steve Bruce was hardly the most naturally gifted of the Premier League era's early batch of central defenders.

But what he lacked in skill, he made up in ruthless enthusiasm, unafraid to hurtle in tackles with an honest passion that endeared him to all United fans.

Now a reasonably successful manager, Brucey will most likely be remembered for his days playing in the red shirt he helped make famous.

Peter Schmeichel

It may surprise some to see a goalkeeper included on a list like this, but the Danish stopper forged his reputation playing in no less an intimidating manner than that of his outfield counterparts.

Known for his hot temper in his early United days, Schmeichel would eventually channel this aggression into becoming arguably the most feared man between the sticks in the league.

Such was his legacy that successors like Mark Bosnich, Fabien Barthez and Massimo Taibi were always doomed to fall at the wayside.

Roy Keane

Captain Fantastic himself, Roy Keane's inclusion on this list is a no-brainer.

No-nonsense, brutally honest and relentless, Keane was the kind of captain any team, past or present, would love to have.

His presence alone was enough to drive his teammates forward, sometimes in the most seemingly hopeless of situations (see '99 Champions League semifinal).

Winning was the only option for the Irishman, something he and Sir Alex always had in common.

Jaap Stam

It's not often a 29 year-old defender is sold on the cheap for over £15 million, but Jaap Stam's untimely departure from Manchester United is widely regarded as one of Sir Alex's biggest transfer blunders.

The big Dutchman formed the spine of the treble-winning side of 1998-1999 and the Premier League-winning side of the following season, but was unexpectedly sold the following season to Lazio whilst still in his prime.

He was near-unbeatable in the air, surprisingly quick on his feet and had an immense presence in the penalty area.

His replacement, Laurent Blanc, unfortunately possessed none of the same attributes.

Nemanja Vidic

If Manchester United do not win the Premier League this season, the absence (due to injury) of this man may be the defining reason.

Like Stam, Nemanja Vidic is as close to unbeatable in the air as any in the Premier League.

He is also a fantastic leader of men, his toughness providing an example to a side in need of such a player.

Must be that fine Serbian stock.