Manchester United, although at the moment a severely fallen giant, are a club doused in tremendous history, with star-studded names to pass through the ranks.
Under legendary Red Devils managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby, players have come from far and wide to grace the Old Trafford turf – but there are some standouts.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton are but a few of the legendary Manchester United players to be considered among the best.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
However, according to an icon at Carrington in his own right Edwin van der Sar, none of these names top the list of the greatest player of all-time.
Edwin van der Sar picks Paul Scholes as Manchester United’s best-ever player
Van der Sar opted for his former teammate Paul Scholes as the greatest name to ever play for Manchester United.
Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
In an interview with GOAL, the Dutchman was tasked to name the ‘Man Utd GOAT’. Admittedly, there were only eight names given to Edwin, but Scholes emerged victorious.
The layout was to knock a player out each round, starting in a quarter-final. The picks went as follows:
Quarter Finals
Wayne Rooney or Paul Scholes? Paul Scholes.
Roy Keane or Bruno Fernandes? Roy Keane.
Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic? Rio Ferdinand.
Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham? Cristiano Ronaldo.
Semi-Finals
Paul Scholes or Roy Keane? Paul Scholes.
Rio Ferdinand or Cristiano Ronaldo? Rio Ferdinand.
Final
Paul Scholes or Rio Ferdinand? Paul Scholes.
Paul Scholes is an undisputed United all-timer
There is proof in the pudding as to what Edwin is saying – Scholes is arguably one of the greatest midfielders to ever walk the planet.
More United News
It’s made even sweeter due to the fact he spent his whole career at Manchester United, a product of the Red Devils academy.
Season Apps Goals Major Honours Won
1994–2011 676 150 11x Premier League, 3x FA Cup, 2x Champions League, 2x League Cup, Club World Cup, Treble (1999)
2011–2013 33 5 1x Premier League
Paul Scholes at Manchester United.
The greatest-ever Manchester United player? Potentially.