Over the years, Manchester United has been the home of many great players. Iconic managers Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby and Ernest Magnall would not have achieved all they did if they didn't have some pretty special talent at their disposal.
With 44 major trophies in total in the Red Devils' history, rivals Liverpool are the only English team to have enjoyed more success over the years (47). In the modern era, however, United have been the dominant force. Even if fortunes have faded over the past decade, the Old Trafford outfit still sit way out ahead with the most Premier League titles (13).
Much of that success was built on the quality of club icons such as Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Prior to that, legends like Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best had delivered many special moments for Man United in the 20th century.
With those names instantly springing to mind in any discussion of club legends, it's interesting to see where exactly AI ranks them all in order of true greatness. Chat GPT was given that task, and this is what it came up with.
AI's Greatest Man United Players
Rank
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10 Denis Law
Forward
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Denis Law played for Man United in the 1960s and 70s, winning the first division twice, as well as the European Cup and one FA Cup. Scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances, and as a rare British Ballon d'Or winner, he was always bound to make this list.
If you don't trust AI, Ferguson's verdict on Law is certainly hard to argue with. He once claimed: "He was the best Scottish player of all time. He was a fantastic player and an incredible human being. The great thing is that he did not use his fame, he was so level-headed and down to earth, and we are talking about a guy who had all of these caps for Scotland and is called the ‘King of Old Trafford’."
AI's explanation: "1964 Ballon d’Or winner, club legend, incredible goal tally."
9 Peter Schmeichel
Goalkeeper
Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel proved himself to be an unchallenged United great, keeping 180 clean sheets in 398 appearances for the Red Devils. From 1991 to 1999, he also helped win five Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the Champions League.
Ferguson felt he was the club's greatest goalkeeper of all time, and also admitted the great Dane was perhaps the only player he ever felt intimidated by, due to his 'towering' frame.
AI's explanation: "Greatest keeper in club history, captain in 1999 UCL Final, dominant presence."
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8 Wayne Rooney
Forward
wayne rooney blackpool
As Manchester United's all-time top goalscorer, it's a bit of a surprise to see Wayne Rooney only ranked in at eighth. More than anything, though, that just goes to prove the incredible number of elite players to have represented the Red Devils over the years.
He was so good, in fact, Lionel Messi dished out the highest praise in 2015, as he said: "Wayne Rooney is for me a once-in-a-generation player. One of those special players, who is not comparable to any other. There are many special players, but Rooney has exceptional quality and technical ability as well as being one of the strongest players I have faced with an exceptional work rate - there is nobody like him." Clearly, Chat GPT was quite so as impressed with the Englishman.
AI's explanation: "All-time top scorer (253 goals), major part of multiple title wins and Champions League 2008."
7 Roy Keane
Midfielder
Roy Keane
Perhaps the greatest captain the Premier League has ever seen, Roy Keane won the English top-flight seven times during his stay at Old Trafford. Known for his tough-tackling and no-nonsense attitude, the player's ability on the ball should not be overlooked either.
That said, his leadership qualities were what set him apart. David Beckham even ranked the Irishman ahead of Paolo Maldini on that front, saying the Italian was 'not the best captain I'd say I've played under, because I've played under Roy Keane. Roy Keane, for me, was the best and biggest captain that I played with.'
AI's explanation: "Inspirational captain, fierce competitor, key to the 1999 treble."
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6 Paul Scholes
Midfielder
paul scholes barcelona
With 499 appearances and 11 titles, there is a strong case to be made for Paul Scholes being the greatest-ever Premier League midfielder. Known for his incredible passing range, the Englishman pulled the strings in the middle of the park for many years at Old Trafford.
Ferguson once controversially claimed that only four of his ex-players were truly deserving of world-class status. Despite the former manager snubbing some big names, there was little surprise that Scholes made that list. He was always going to make Chat GPT's list too, ranking sixth here.
AI's explanation: "Technically brilliant, admired by peers worldwide, 11 Premier League titles."
5 Eric Cantona
Forward
Eric Cantona
Another one of those four ' world-class' players Ferguson named, Eric Cantona almost single-handedly transformed the club’s fortunes following his £1 million move from Leeds United in 1992. In five seasons at Old Trafford, the Frenchman helped win four Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
More than just that, though, Cantona oozed a certain je ne sais quoi whenever on the pitch, making him one of the coolest footballers to ever play the sport. The were very few who did it quite like the mercurial French forward.
AI's explanation: "Catalysed United’s dominance under Ferguson, iconic charisma, leader on and off the pitch."
4 Cristiano Ronaldo
Forwardcristiano ronaldo man utd
Although his best years were arguably spent at Real Madrid, there can be no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo showed his quality during his time at Old Trafford. After all, he won the first of his five Ballon d'Ors in 2008 while representing the English club.
Regarded in the highest bracket as one of the best footballers ever, Ronaldo evolved from a precocious talent into a bona fide superstar under Ferguson. When all is said and done, that 2003 move from Sporting Lisbon will perhaps be viewed as the most important transfer of his career.
AI's explanation: " 2008 Ballon d'Or winner, part of 2008 UCL-winning team, global superstar, goal machine.
3 Ryan Giggs
Forward
ryan giggs man utd
Emerging through the youth ranks to become the club's leading appearance-maker, Ryan Giggs' time at Manchester United was one paved with success. It's hard to imagine any player ever toppling his record 13 Premier League titles.
The Welshman also stands alone when it comes to the most assists recorded in the English top-flight, with 162. The next best is Kevin De Bruyne on 119, making it hard to imagine anyone taking Giggs' crown there either. That said, not everyone would place him quite so high on this list of legends.
AI's explanation: Most appearances for United (963), 13 Premier League titles, 2 Champions Leagues, longevity legend.
2 George Best
Forward
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While the bulk of players on this list have come from more modern times, 20th-century hero George Best was always going to make an appearance sooner or later. Chat GPT places him second here, which is far from a controversial take.
Ferguson actually felt Best was number one when it came to British players representing the club, saying: “In football terms, within this club, and the history of English football, then I would have to say that there has been no better British player." But the Northern Irishman just falls short of first place here.
AI's explanation: " Mesmerising skill, 1968 Ballon d'Or winner, cult hero, European Cup winner."
1 Sir Bobby Charlton
Forward
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Coming in at number one, who could argue with Sir Bobby Charlton? The English World Cup winner is perhaps the one footballer most synonymous with Manchester United.
From surviving the Munich Air Disaster to winning the European Cup glory in 1968, and also picking up the Ballon d'Or during his time at Old Trafford, the Englishman inspired so many. David Beckham's middle name is even Robert, named after Charlton, who was his 'dad's hero'. Legends don't come much bigger than him.
AI's explanation: Survived the Munich Air Disaster, led United to European Cup glory in 1968, Ballon d'Or winner, club icon.
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Best even refused to play at Charlton’s testimonial, choosing to instead sit in a pub and throw eggs at a portrait of the Manchester United icon.