Summary
Sir Bobby Charlton remains one of the most historic figures in Manchester United history.
In 2007, he selected an all-time United XI including the likes of Roy Keane and George Best.
The likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo missed out as they had not yet established their legacy.
When you think of the greatest player to have ever played for Manchester United, one name that will forever come up in conversation is the late great Sir Bobby Charlton. The World and European Cup winner is as historic a figure at Old Trafford as there ever has been, with a stand named after him and a statue outside the stadium in his honour.
At one point in time, Charlton was the club's all-time appearance holder and goalscorer and would make it into any ultimate Red Devils XI. And back in 2007, he was asked to name his very own team of United greats.
Back then, the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and even Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs had yet to truly establish themselves in the top tier of United players as they still had more to achieve before cementing that legacy. So, the team that Charlton compiled missed out on a lot of stars that, nowadays, would likely be at the forefront. Despite that, the XI remains packed with world-class ability that no doubt would've given anyone a run for their money.
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Goalkeeper and Defenders
Peter Schmeichel, Gary Neville, Nobby Stiles, Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin
In between the sticks is the seemingly undisputed king of Manchester United goalkeepers in Peter Schmeichel, and in 2007, it was a rather straightforward choice. At that point, the Great Dane didn't have competition from Edwin van der Sar—who had been at the club for just two years at that point—while David de Gea still would've been a child. While the likes of Alex Stepney and Harry Gregg also had fabulous histories, they still didn't compare to Schmeichel.
Gary Neville and Denis Irwin take up either defensive flank, something that would still likely be the case if the team was picked in 2025, let alone 2007. In the middle, players like Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand had yet to earn the right to contend, but Gary Pallister still bested the likes of Steve Bruce and Jaap Stam. He was joined by Nobby Stiles, who was better known as a tough-tackling, hardman midfielder but could play in defence and starred alongside Charlton for both club and country.
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Midfield
Duncan Edwards, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane
Pele once called him the greatest, while Charlton himself said that he was the only player he ever felt inferior to. That man was perhaps the greatest Busby Babe, Duncan Edwards. In the modern-day game, Edwards, who made his England debut at 18, would've acted as a holding midfielder and finished third in the Ballon d'Or voting back in 1957, just a year before he tragically lost his life as a result of the Munich Air Disaster.
Alongside him are two of the club's greatest ever captains in Bryan Robson and Roy Keane. The former, known as 'Captain Marvel,' was the shining light of the last-ever United side that were not the dominant force in English football prior to their takeover during the Premier League era. He then handed the keys of the kingdom to Keane, who became a legendary enforcer on and off the pitch and was the catalyst for most pieces of silverware the Red Devils earned during his time at Old Trafford.
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Attackers
Denis Law, Eric Cantona, George Best
Two-thirds of the famous Holy Trinity at the Theatre of Dreams just had to be included in Charlton's XI. After all, his career may have looked very different if it wasn't for the partnerships he formed with Denis Law and George Best. All three won the Ballon d'Or during their time at the club, showing that they all had their moments as the dominant force, but were still able to compliment each other so well.
That leaves just one spot free, which goes to the charismatic and enigmatic Eric Cantona. The Frenchman was the final piece in the jigsaw for Ferguson's early years of dominance, providing class with a nasty streak that encapsulated all that the Red Devils longed to be.
Charlton All-Time Man United XI in 2007
GK
Peter Schmeichel
RB
Gary Neville
CB
Nobby Stiles
CB
Gary Pallister
LB
Denis Irwin
CM
Duncan Edwards
CM
Bryan Robson
CM
Roy Keane
ST
George Best
ST
Denis Law
ST
Eric Cantona
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Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton both feature in the top three - but who is the best Man Utd striker ever?
All statistics courtesy of Manchester United - accurate as of 24/03/2025.