Manchester United: Ranking Their 10 Most Offensive Talents of All Time

Manchester United has have had some great players over the years. George Best and Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, were scintillating at their inspirational best. United's meteoric rise in fortunes as a well-known club started in 1947, when Matt Busby took on the managerial reins of the northern club.

Busby was an excellent manager, who quickly realized the potential in youth. He began assembling a team based on talent from inside the club, who became known for their talented star Duncan Edwards, who was a tough tackling defensive midfielder with a thunderous shot. Along with Edwards in the side were new acquisition Bobby Charlton, Northern Irish goalkeeper Harry Gregg and Bill Foulkes.

The "Busby Babes" side was touted as one of the best in Europe and they went on to prove as much by participating in the newly formed European Cup against the behest of football League authorities. After returning from an away match in Munich, the plane carrying the team stalled and players had to be brought to the hospital. Many players, including Edwards, died. Busby and the team were broken and crushed, and those lucky enough to survive seemed unlikely to play again.

However Busby revived the team and led it to a European Cup and two League Championships. In 1986, a young manager called Alex Ferguson came into the side. After a bad start, Ferguson became the longest serving manager in league history and won 12 League Championships and 2 Champions Leagues.

Criteria (Rated Out of 5)

Passing - Accuracy of the passing will be taken into account. Also, killer balls and crosses will be judged on their accuracy and the quality of the chance they create.

Dribbling - Beating players with runs. Distance of runs and quality of runs is taken into account, as well as the flair and efficiency of the tricks used.

Shooting - The accuracy and power of the shot will be taken into account. Same goes for headers.

Control - Possibly the most subjective of all these categories. The touch and the general feel of the ball on the player's feet. 

10: Bryan Robson - 13.5/20

Background:

Robson was a West Midlands boy and played for West Bromwich Albion in the early years of his career. He did not win much and eventually transferred to Manchester United. He later claimed that his decision was not motivated by greed, but by ambition. He said he simply wanted to be a "winner." And win he did: three FA Cups, two League titles, a League Cup, a UEFA Cup, a European Cup Winners Cup and three Charity Shields.

He began his United tenure in the early '80s. He quicky gained fame at United for being a box-to box, inspirational player with bags of stamina and energy. In fact, in the mid '80s, Robson could win games seemingly by force of will. He was in a side then with the likes of Steve Coppell, Norman Whiteside and Remi Moses.

A case in point is the game against Barcelona in the quarterfinal of the European Cup winners Cup in 1984. United were 2-0 down going into the second leg at Old Trafford. They were given little hope of getting a win. Robson rallied and scored twice in a 3-0 win which carried United through.  United were then knocked out by Juventus, although Robson had a hamstring injury.

Robson scored twice in the 1983 FA Cup Final replay and helped United onto a 4-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion. Robson captained United to two more victories in 1985 and in 1990. 

Scores

Passing - Robson, early in his career was the defensive foil to playmaker Ray Wilkins, and acted as the box-to-box midfielder. He did not dwell on the ball, and played quick, accurate passes. His passing is generally reliable. His cross-fielders and killer-balls are impeccable. (4/5)

Shooting - Robson's shooting was classic. His shots were lethal and so were his headers. He was known for his Robson Rockets, which were Gerrard-esque. (4.5/5)

Dribbling - Robson's runs created opportunities for him thanks both to his athleticism and his control of the ball. (2.5/5)

Technique - His touch of the ball wasn't as exquisite as a Zidane or a Ronaldo, but his class is evident. Energy is not enough to carry your team. (2.5/5)

9: David Beckham - 14/20

Description

The Leytonstone-born midfielder is a United legend and a worldwide icon. He was loaned out to Preston North End at the start of United Career. He showed some good form and Ferguson called him up into the first team. He got into the United team with his Youth academy team-mates Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Phil Neville.

He was a fixture in the United team in 1994 and made his Champions League debut against Galatasaray, where United won 4-0. He was United's replacement for Andrei Kanchelskis. He was introduced to United fans as a wide midfielder, rather than a winger. His style was indeed to cut inside and start dictating the play.

Despite his good form, he was not picked by Grahham Taylor or Terry Venables for England. His United Career flourished as he began to strike up a partnership with the likes of Giggs, Cantona and Mark Hughes. When Mark Hughes left United, it was Beckham who was given the Number 10 shirt.

As Cantona and Hughes drifted out of the club, the likes of Beckham, Giggs and new signings Cole and Solksjaer began to shine. In 1999, United won the European Cup with Beckham supplying two last-minute corners for Solksjaer and Sheringham to score. United won the League and FA Cup to make that season their first Treble season.

He left United for Real Madrid in 2003.

Criteria

Passing - David Beckham was an absolutely magnificent passer. Some of his passes and crosses range on the near-impossible. (4.5/5)

Shooting - Beckham's shooting is comparable to his passing quality-wise. He does not seek to blast the ball, his style is more of a deft yet firm touch which is almost never off target. (4.5/5)

Dribbling - Sadly, his dribbling skills are not as good as his shots or passes. Though he can beat a player with a drag back from now and then, his primary quality is passing from long distances accurately rather than going on long runs though the center (though he can do that too). (3/5)

Technique - His touch on the ball was exquisite. However, his role did not require him to beat players, rather to put in crosses. He seldom beats players, nor shows off feats of control. (2/5)

8: Eric Cantona - 14.5/20

King Eric came to Manchester from Leeds having just masterminded their title run. He was known for his flair, skill and shooting ability. Eric Cantona, when he came, formed a strike partnership with then United talisman Mark Hughes.

Cantona then featured in many great United seasons, serving as a mentor to young academy graduates Scholes, Giggs and Beckham. He won the double in 1996, when he was 30. He reired from football the next year. His international career was admittedly humble, with 45 caps and 20 goals. He was dropped from the Euro '96 France squad, Jacquet preferring Didier Deschamps, who Cantona called a water-carrier.

Analysis

Technique and Dribbling - Cantona had exquisite touch, skill and flair, though not enough to be completely a flair player. He was economic with his dribbling, though when he did dribble, he was flamboyant. (4/5 and 3.5/5)

Passing - Comparable to Rooney in this aspect. He did play a second striker role and he passed it about quite well. (3/5)

Shooting - Cantona excelled at this. From the delicate chip to the long ranger, he had it all. (4/5)

7: Paul Scholes - 14.5/20

Description

Paul Scholes is Manchester through and through. He is a Salford boy, who is from the same era as Beckham, the two Nevilles and Ryan Giggs. He became famous for his midfield performances alongside Roy Keane, the Irish defensive midfielder.

Scholes was prominent in the United 1999 treble side, providing the midfield creativity the side thrived on. His partnership with Roy Keane is regarded as one of the best creator-destroyer partnerships ever. Scholes was suspended for the final, however, and never made it to Barcelona to play in the legendary Champions League final, which United won 2-1 thanks to some late heroics.

Scholes then flourished in the side and by 2001, he was considered one of the best midfielders in the world. He was the linchpin of a mostly unchanged Manchester United midfield. He helped them to another host of Premier League titles.

In 2007, however, the tiny ginger playmaker led United to the Champions League title with a sublime goal against Barcelona in the semifinal. He was one of the best players in Europe even then in his 30s. Since then, he has been a key memeber in the United squad for the run to two more titles and two more Champions League finals. He retired in 2011.

Criteria

Passing - Scholes was so good at passing even midfield maestro Xavi looked up to him. He had an excellent long range pass and killer ball. (4.5/5)

Shooting - Scholes is adept at the art of long-range shooting and many of shots make it in. (4/5)

Dribbling - Scholes rarely beats people and prefers to play the pass rather than keep the ball. (3/5)

Technique - His control is good,although not that great. (3/5) 

6: Denis Law - 14.75/20

The Scottish striker was part of the holy trinity of United with George Best and Bobby Charlton. He was a flair player as well as a great header of the ball. He was a pivotal figure in that United side until replaced by Brian Kidd.

He went on to play for Manchester City and was famed to have scored the goal that relegated Manchester United. Law is Scotland's all-time top goalscorer and also has 100 caps. He did not play in a World Cup however, and that was a shame.

Criteria

Passing - Passing was not a huge part of his game but he knew how to do and did from time to time. (2/5)

Shooting - He had a great shot and was one of the great headers of the ball. (4.75/5)

Dribbling - Law was renowned for his flair and was tricky. He had great technique as well. (4/5 & 4/5)

5: Wayne Rooney - 15/20

Description

The Evertonian annonounced his arrival on the football stage with a goal past David Seaman in 2002. He was quickly snapped up by Manchester United a fee upwards of 20 million pounds. On signing Rooney, Ferguson was doubted and aspersions were cast on Rooney's ability to stand up to his hefty price. However, Ferguson knew (even at the time), that Wayne Rooney was one of trhe talents of his generations, and he should be bought by all means necessary.

Ferguson has since been vindicated as Rooney has produced vintage performances which have established him as one of the world's best players.  He has carried United on his own in two seasons: the 2005-06 and the 2009-10 seasons.

His selfless nature has put him out of the spotlight slightly as he worked on the pitch to supply his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Since Ronaldo's departure, he stepped out of Ronaldo's shadow and carried United on his own. He was talisman for both country and club in 2009.

Rooney's England career has been fraught with disappointment. He suffered an injury at Euro 2004, where he scored four goals and was named to the all-tournament team. He was injured as England crashed out of the tournament to Portugal on penalties.

The 2006 and 2010 World Cups went pretty much the same for Rooney. He wasn't fully fit for either of them, and failed to impress an expecting nation. After a disappointing World Cup, however, Rooney has resurged into the United team and has begun to look like his old self. He was the best United player in United's defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.

Criteria

Passing - Rooney drops off the main striker in the Manchester United side and is the main midfield creator in today's United. His passing is lethal and he can find avenues that some specialist midfielders cannot find. He can also play the killer passes and rarely looks deterred in possesion. He does not play long-balls however, being a second striker, rather than a deep-lying playmaker or a winger. (3/5)

Shooting - Rooney, being a striker after all, is quick off the mark in terms of goals. He can opt for the delicate chip option as well as net a long range screamer. His shot isn't as good as some of the others on this list, however. (4/5)

Dribbling - Rooney is pacy and quick and can change directions very quickly. He can go on runs and beat several people as well. He occasionally can beat someone with a flick or some other trick but prefers to use a more Maradona-esque approach to dribbling rather than fancy flair. (4/5)

Technique - Rooney has exquisite ball control and this is evident from his performances. He is acrobatic and can score spectacular overhead kicks and first-time volleys. (4/5)

4: Ryan Giggs - 15.5/20

Ryan Giggs is a great player for Manchester United, and perhaps their most durable in quite some time. He has been in the team for almost the entirety of Alex Ferguson's reign at United. He first came into the team in 1990, at the age of just 17. He quickly established himself as a household name with the likes of Robson, Kanchelskis and Mark Hughes.

He was still in the United first team when Eric Cantona, David Beckham, the Neville brothers and Paul Scholes burst onto the scene. His flair, dribbling skills and golden delivery were noticed. He led United to a Champions League semifinal against Borussia Dortmund in 1997, but they lost both legs to side led by Matthias Sammer.

As Roy Keane came into the team, Giggs was becoming one of the older heads in the side. Giggs remained evergreen however, playing in the great United 1999 treble side. He played in the 1999 Champions League final, playing a key role in the 2-1 defeat of Bayern Munich. He also embarked on a scintillating run in the FA Cup against Arsenal and scored a magnificent goal to send United through to the FA Cup final.

As the century ended, Giggs remained steadfast, keeping a place in the team during the emergence of talented youngsters Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. He later reached his second UEFA Champions League final, winning the game on penalties against Chelsea. He reached the Champions League final again with United the following year, in 2009, only for United to lose 2-0 against Barcelona. This feat repeated itself in 2011, when they lost 3-1 to Barcelona in London.

Now Giggs is 37 and at the twilight of his career, having won 12 league titles and 2 European Cups.

Analysis

Passing - Giggs was deployed in the center of midfield last season and has proven himself to be a great passer of the ball. (4/5)

Shooting - Giggs has a wonderful, delicate shot which opts for accuracy rather than power. (3.5/5)

Technique and Dribbling - Giggs is wonderful dribbler and is a delight to see on the ball. He can beat players with changes of direction, but he is more about pace than trickery. (4/5 and 4/5) 

3: Bobby Charlton- 15.75/20

Charlton is a true United legend. He held all the important records for a Manchester United player before Ryan Giggs came along. Charlton was one of the Busby babes, who, along with Dennis Viollet, Harry Gregg, Duncan Edwards and others was in the Munich air disaster. He came out of it shaken, thinking he would never play football again.

However, with the assistance of United assistant manager Jimmy Murphy, Charlton led a side composed mainly of reserves and last-minute transfers out to Wembley in 1958 for the FA Cup final. However, Nat Lofthouse scored twice to give Bolton the lead and Bolton won the FA Cup.

Eventually, traumatized Matt Busby came back to United and started building a side to win the European Cup. He bought Denis Law from Torino and brought in George Best (on the advice of scout Bob Bishop). With these two and Charlton, Busby was ready to take a crack a Europe's best.

However, he did not get a crack at European glory until 1968, before which he won the World Cup with England in 1966. Charlton scored a brace against Portugal to put England through to the final, where he man marked Franz Beckenbauer out of the game. Beckenbauer later claimed that that was the reason England won the World Cup, that Charlton was a Little better than him.

In 1968, United beat Eusebio's Benfica 4-1 in extra time with Charlton getting one goal. He retired as England's top goalscorer of all time and holds that record to this day.

Criteria

Passing - Charlton was one of the greatest passers of all time and was renowned for his distribution. (4/5). However, he rarely made a good long pass and incorporated his legendary thundering shot into his game with which he was extraordinarily prolific. He was also a great header of the ball. (4.5/5)

Technique and Dribbling - He was an extraordinary dribbler with skillful feet and a good sense of direction. You can often see him on his runs at the setup to his rockets from long range. (3.75/5 & 3.5/5)  

2: Cristiano Ronaldo - 16/20

The Portuguese superstar was originally an unknown for Sporting CP until a number of top European clubs noticed his talents. He came to Manchester United and immediately stunned the Old Trafford faithful with his flicks, tricks and volleys. He ended his Manchester United career in 2009, winning a Champions League medal, three League titles and an FA Cup.

Analysis

Passing - Lets face it, Ronado doesn't pass or cross much, does he? (2/5)

Shooting - His Ronaldo rockets are on par with those of Charlton and Gerrard. However, where he betters them is with his accuracy, as well as his power. Did I mention his heading ability? (5/5)

Technique and Dribbling - Technique-wise, Ronaldo knows every trick in the book. He has the complete repertoire of juggles, flicks, step-overs. His direction changing is impeccable, on par with Best at times. (4.5/5) and (4.5/5)

1: George Best - 17/20

George Best, much like his successor at Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo, was a product of United's scouting network. He joined United in 1963 and ended up winning them the European Cup.

Analysis

Passing - Best sometimes was a playmaker, and his passing and crosses were radar. (3/5)

Shooting - Best had a delicate shot, more like Ryan Giggs than his teammate Bobby Charlton. He preferred to caress it into the net rather than blast it. (4/5)

Dribbling and Technique - Best was one of the greatest dribblers in football history, if not the greatest. In my opinion, he is surpassed only by Garrincha in terms of dribbling and technique. (5/5 and 5/5)