Who is the best right-back to play for Manchester United over the past 25 years?
Once the dominant force of English football, Manchester United are no longer the force we once were in 2000. And we hope that will flip back around again soon.
Along the journey there has been a staggering amount of changes, and the right-back position has neatly illustrated the constant evolution.
We are building our ‘Best Team of the 21st Century’, looking at the top players to represent the club from 2000 to 2025, previously looking at goalkeepers and left-backs.
There are seven contenders in our poll to claim the right-back position…
Who is the best Manchester United right-back 2000-2025? Cast your vote! 🗳️
Help us pick our best XI!
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Gary Neville
The only place to start, Gary Neville is the iconic Manchester United right-back of the Sir Alex Ferguson era. But he did not make it all the way to the end.
Neville missed out on the 2008 Champions League final due to injury, before retiring during the 2010/11 season.
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Now a pundit, Neville played a key role in United’s early 2000s success, and played more than 20 league games in four title winning seasons since the turn of the century.
Gary Neville and Roy Keane celebrate for Manchester United
Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
Wes Brown
Wes Brown also features in our list of centre-back contenders, yet right-back was the position where he enjoyed his best moments.
Brown started in Moscow in 2008 and is best remembered for delivering the cross for Cristiano Ronaldo to score a towering header.
Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Rafael da Silva
A real livewire at right-back, Rafael da Silva broke into United’s first team as a teenager in 2008/09 and never looked back.
Rafael played 170 games for the club, contributing to title-winning campaigns. He did miss out on the 2011 Champions League Final, with his brother Fabio preferred.
Antonio Valencia
A low-key signing from Wigan, Antonio Valencia ended up becoming Manchester United’s replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, an unenvious task.
Valencia briefly wore the number seven shirt, and while that pressure was too much, he carved out an impressive career at the club and went on to captain the team.
The Ecuadorian originally signed as a winger but really carved out a spot at right-back, thanks to his relentless ability to get up and down the flanks.
F.C. Copenhagen v Manchester United: Group A - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
You will struggle to find a better pure defender than Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the true expert of a last-ditch slide tackle.
Wan-Bissaka was a key player under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and enjoyed his best ever moment in his final match, helping United to win the 2024 FA Cup Final at Wembley over City.
Diogo Dalot
A loyal servant, Diogo Dalot has overcome a lot of challenges since joining Manchester United in 2018, playing under a succession of different managers.
Dalot is equally comfortable playing on the right and left, and still has a lot more to offer, at just 26-years-old.
Noussair Mazraoui
Noussair Mazraoui has looked like a true bargain since joining Manchester United in 2024 for a bargain price of £13 million.
Ruben Amorim’s shift to a three-man defensive system has meant Mazraoui has often played as a centre-back more than right-back.
Vote in our previous polls too…
Who is the best Man Utd LEFT-BACK 2000-2025? Cast your vote 🗳️
Help us pick our best XI…
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Who is the best Man Utd goalkeeper 2000-2025? Cast your VOTE 🗳️
Help us pick our best XI!
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
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