Manchester United: Ranking the Red Devils' Top 10 Strikers of All-Time

Wayne Rooney notched his 150^th goal in a Manchester United shirt at the weekend, but is he greatest United striker of all time?

The England star's first free-kick in the 8-2 rout of Arsenal on Sunday saw him enter the club's top 10 list of all-time goalscorers. His next—a similarly sublime effort from a set-piece—meant he leapt clear of Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who are both on 150, before his hat-trick goal edged him closer to Ryan Giggs, who is on 159.

But where does Rooney rank at the moment in United's pantheon of star strikers? He easily makes it into the top 10, but have there been any better?

Here, we take a look at the best who have turned out in United colours over the years, and attempt the impossible—ranking them from 10 all the way down to one.

The list is of strikers only. So despite Bobby Charlton topping the club's all-time scoring list, he cannot be included here. Nor Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored for fun, but was only sporadically used as an out-and-out striker. Nor midfielders Paul Scholes, or Ryan Giggs.

Also, it's worth noting that the list contains a couple of Matt Busby-era players, but is largely weighted to modern day sides. That's because United have enjoyed the most successful period in their history since the dawn of the Premier League, so it's only natural to select the majority of players from that time. And between Busby and Alex Ferguson they were largely useless—Frank Stapleton had his merits, but top-10 material he is not.

10. Andy Cole

Cole had plenty of detractors during his time at United, many of whom unfairly accused him of being wasteful in front of goal. All strikers miss chances, but the truly great ones keep getting into goal scoring positions.

Cole fits the latter category, and his 121 goals from 231 starts prove just how prolific he was. His partnership with Dwight Yorke was, at times, a joy to behold and few United fans will ever forget his contribution during the Treble-winning season of 1999.

9. Stan Pearson

One of the stars of Matt Busby's first great side, local lad Pearson announced himself with a bang, laying on four assists on his debut against Chesterfield in 1937. But it wasn't until after the Second World War that he really came into his own, his goals helping United to the title in 1952.

Like Cole and Yorke, he enjoyed an understanding with strike partner Jack Rowley that bordered on telepathic, between them they scored 52 of the team's 95 goals during the title-winning season. 

8. Mark Hughes

Hughes enjoyed two spells at United, but it during his second that he really had an impact. Most notably when, in the 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup final against his former club Barcelona, he netted twice to propel United to glory.

He was a master of holding the ball up—largely thanks to the tree trunks that masqueraded as his thighs. Hughes was also fond of the spectacular, and few of the 163 goals he scored were tap-ins.

7. Tommy Taylor

A tragic inclusion in the list, because Taylor still had so much to give when his life was taken from him so cruelly in Munich. Another to excel on his debut—he scored twice against Preston having moved from Barnsley in 1953.

Taylor continued in that vein throughout his United career, racking up 131 goals in 191 starts and winning two titles in 1956 and 1957. He had just turned 26 before he died.

6. Ruud Van Nistelrooy

A goalscorer par excellence, Van Nistelrooy had a nose for goal like no other. His record speaks for itself: 150 goals in just 200 starts over five years at the club. During that time he managed to win the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Community Shield, and could usually be relied on to find the back of the net.

It was just a shame that he left the club for Real Madrid amid some acrimony.

5. Dennis Viollet

Few strikers reach the magic 30 mark in one season, and even fewer do it in just 36 league games. Only one did it in a matter of months, after having survived the Munich air crash: Dennis Violet.

His 32 goals in the 1959-60 were a testament to his talent and to his determination, yet he never seemed to get the credit he deserved, and is considered one of the most underrated strikers of all time.

4. Wayne Rooney

This seems like an apt time to bring in Rooney. He certainly has the potential to go on and become United's greatest of all time, but he sits in fourth for the time being. Remember, he is still just 25 years old and yet to reach his peak. Scary.

3. Jack Rowley

Pearson's strike partner, and the jewel in Busby's first great team's crown, Rowley was somewhat of a rough diamond but his worth was indisputable.

The competitive forward could look after himself on the pitch, and knew exactly where the goal was. On his way to the FA Cup in 1948 and a league title in '52, Rowley scored 211 goals in 424 starts—an incredible record in any era.

2. Denis Law

The original King of the Stretford End, Law was deadly in front of goal. One third of the Holy Trinity along with George Best and Bobby Charlton, the Scot weighed in with 237 goals in 398 starts between 1962 and 1973.

He was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1964, and was desperately unlucky not to have been at Wembley when United lifted the European Cup in '68—he was in hospital having a knee operation.

Nevertheless, his feats on the pitch for United make him worthy number two in our list.

1. Eric Cantona

The mercurial Frenchman's séjour in Manchester was a whirlwind from start to finish. The catalyst for United's era-beginning title triumph in 1993, Cantona went on to win four league titles and two FA Cups, scoring 82 times in 184 starts.

But it wasn't just goals that he brought to the club. His flair, panache and sheer arrogance left a lasting impression on a whole generation of youngsters at the club, who would go on to become world stars themselves.