48=. Roy Keane Goals 51 | Games 480 The archetypal all-rounder, especially in his pomp, Keane was a ubiquitous midfield force and regularly burst forward to score (bagging 12 in 1999/00), and netted in all but the last of 13 seasons at Old Trafford. 48=. Gordon Hill Goals 51 | Games 134 The tricky winger was an integral part of United’s 1977 FA Cup-winning side, and in just three seasons at OT ‘Merlin’ broke the 50-goal barrier. He top-scored with an impressive 22 goals in that era-defining season. 48=. Steve Bruce Goals 51 | Games 414 Few will forget Bruces at-the-death heroics against Sheffield Wednesday en route to the epochal 1992/93 Premier League crown, and the former skipper was just one goal shy of breaking the 20-goal barrier in 1990/91. 48=. Robin van Persie Goals 51 | Games 84 The free- scoring Dutchman is one of Uniteds most prolific ever strikers, breaking into the top 50 in double-quick time: two years, two months and one day after his first goal against Fulham in August 2012. 45=. Frank McPherson Goals 52 | Games 175 Renowned as a lightning-fast attacker in the 1920s, McPherson, an ex- shipbuilder from Barrow-in-Furness, made full use of a change to the offside laws and became United’s top scorer in 1925/26 with 20 goals. 45=. James Hanson Goals 52 | Games 147 A Manchester Football News reader alerted United to 18-year-old James Hanson in 1922. A natural finisher and spot-kick specialist, he scored 20 goals in 1928/29 but his career was prematurely ended through injury on Christmas Day 1929. 45=. Liam Whelan Goals 52 | Games 98 Liam ‘Billy’ Whelan was a talented inside forward with great ball control and dribbling ability and was a clinical finisher too – showcased most impressively with 33 goals in the title-winning 1956/57 campaign. Tragically, he lost his life in Munich. 44. Alex Dawson Goals 54 | Games 93 The Scotland-born forward was an FA Youth Cup-winner in 1956 and 1957 and came into the side after Munich. His memorable hat-trick in the FA Cup semi- final replay against Fulham took United to Wembley that year, and he notched more than a goal every two games. 43. Harry Rowley Goals 55 | Games 180 The inside forward remains one of the few players to sign for United twice (in 1928 and 1934). His goals helped win the Second Division title in the 1935/36 season, before leaving to become player- manager of Burton Albion. 40=. Harold Halse Goals 56 | Games 125 The Londoner joined in March 1906 and scored four goals in six games to help United win the title, before winning the 1909 FA Cup and another championship in 1911. He famously scored six in an 8-4 victory over Swindon Town, an achievement matched only by George Best. 40=. Dimitar Berbatov Goals 56 | Games 149 Although his United career never really took off, the Bulgarian cemented a place in Reds history by winning the golden boot as Sir Alex’s men secured a 19th English title. His hat-trick against Liverpool also curried much favour among supporters. 40=. Albert Quixall Goals 56 | Games 184 After captaining Sheffield Wednesday against United in the first game after the Munich air disaster, Quixall was signed by Matt Busby for £45,000 for his ball- playing skills up front. The move paid off as he played a key role in the Reds’ 1963 FA Cup win. 39. Thomas Bamford Goals 57 | Games 109 The Welshman scored 175 goals in 204 at his previous club Wrexham, which remains a club record. He moved to United in 1934 and maintained his scoring touch, with his goals contributing to the Second Division title in 1935/36 (as top scorer) and the promotion campaign of 1937/38. Troubled by injuries, he eventually left for Swansea. 37=. Jack Peddie Goals 58 | Games 121 Described as “both a provider and a goalscorer, possessing a dynamic shot”, Peddie joined United from Newcastle in September 1902 and netted 15 times to finish top scorer in his debut season. He left for Plymouth at the end of 1902/03 but returned in 1904, winning the Second Division title a year later. 37=. Javier Hernandez Goals 59 | Games 154 Few strikers can rival Chicha when it comes to movement in the box. The Mexican is a ghost-like presence in the final third and shakes off defenders for fun when the opportunity arises. He remains a fans’ favourite after netting 20, 12, 18 and nine goals in four seasons at United. 36. Charlie Mitten Goals 61 | Games 162 Born in Rangoon, Burma, Mitten was signed in August 1936 and progressed through the youth ranks while working as an office boy at Old Trafford. The left winger won the 1948 FA Cup and once had the distinction of scoring a hat-trick of penalties in a four-goal haul against Aston Villa. 33=. Stuart Pearson Goals 66 | Games 180 Pancho’s goalscoring exploits make him a favourite among Reds fans of a certain vintage. His 17 goals helped United earn promotion from the Second Division at the first attempt in 1975 and he scored in the famous 1977 FA Cup final win over all- conquering Liverpool. 33=. Bob Donaldson Goals 66 | Games 155 The Scottish forward netted the club’s first ever league goal, against Blackburn in September 1892, and also bagged a hat-trick in Newton Heath’s 10-1 rout of Wolves the following month, which remains our biggest ever league win. 33=. Dwight Yorke Goals 66 | Games 152 Trinidad and Tobago’s finest had made well over 200 appearances for Aston Villa before Alex Ferguson snapped him up in 1998. His telepathic partnership with Andy Cole in the Treble-winning season that followed is the stuff of legend. 32. Norman Whiteside Goals 67 | Games 274 The gifted attacker never quite fulfilled his enormous potential at United, though he helped the Reds win two FA Cups. He remains the youngest player to score a senior goal for United, having done so eight days after his 17th birthday. 31. Thomas Reid Goals 67 | Games 101 The Scot boasted an impressive strike-rate during his five years at the club between 1928 and 1933, including 14 goals in 17 games in his first season. 29=. Steve Coppell Goals 70 | Games 396 The exciting winger was a regular goalscorer for the Reds but was forced to retire through injury in 1983, aged just 28. He holds the record for the most consecutive appearances by an outfield United player – 207 from 1977 to 1981. 29=. Brian Kidd Goals 70 | Games 266 The local lad scored on his 19th birthday in the 1968 European Cup final win over Benfica and spent seven seasons in the first team, before joining Arsenal following Uniteds relegation to Division Two in 1974. 28. Sammy McIlroy Goals 71 | Games 419 Matt Busby’s final signing for United scored on his debut as a 17-year-old in the Manchester derby and went on to become a regular fixture, helping the Reds win the FA Cup in 1977. 27. Frank Stapleton Goals 78 | Games 288 A classy target man, the Republic of Ireland international was leading scorer in three consecutive seasons between 1981-1984. Excellent in the air and he volleyed the winner in the famous European Cup-Winners’ Cup win over Barcelona in 1984 after netting in the previous year’s FA Cup final against Brighton. 26. Enoch West Goals 80 | Games 181 ‘Knocker’ had pedigree for finding the net when he joined United in 1910 and didn’t disappoint, top-scoring in his first campaign as the club lifted the title. A useful billiards player, he often arrived on cue in the box and was also the leading marksman in the following two terms in a lethal partnership with Sandy Turnbull. 25. Eric Cantona Goals 82 | Games 185 The inspirational Frenchman scored in his second start, notching an equaliser at Chelsea, and never looked back as he regularly hit the net and carved out chances for his colleagues. The no.7’s most famous strike came in the 1996 FA Cup final when his late winner against Liverpool sealed the double Double. 24. David Beckham Goals 85 | Games 394 Noted as a creator of goals with remarkable crossing ability and dead-ball expertise, Becks got off the mark with a goal in the Champions League against Galatasaray in 1994. In his penultimate season at Old Trafford, he notched 16 goals in 38 starts and was capable of converting free-kicks from all angles. 23. Lou Macari Goals 97 | Games 401 The popular Scot arrived from Celtic and was a regular goalscorer, even when moving back to midfield. He bagged 11 league goals in the promotion-winning Division Two campaign of 1974/75 and bettered the tally the following year with 12 top-flight goals. 22. Bryan Robson Goals 99 | Games 461 Captain Marvel was United’s record signing for £1.5million in 1981 and repaid every penny over 13 seasons of distinguished service, ending only one goal off a century of strikes from his midfield position. The ultimate box-to-box performer was equally effective at both ends of the pitch. 20=. George Wall Goals 100 | Games 319 The left winger weighed in with more than his fair share of goals and was part of United’s first FA Cup-winning side in 1909. The North East-born attacker also won two league titles with the Reds and earned seven caps for England before serving as a sergeant in World War I. 20=. Joe Cassidy Goals 100 | Games 174 The Scot was probably the club’s first outstanding striker as he plundered goals on a regular basis for Newton Heath. He had two spells at the Heathens with a stint at Celtic sandwiched in between before joining Manchester City after the turn of the 20th Century for £250. 19. Sandy Turnbull Goals 101 | Games 247 Particularly effective in the air, the former Manchester City striker hit the winner in the 1909 FA Cup final against Bristol City. A stocky figure with a prodigious leap, the Scotsman was the top marksman during the title triumph in 1908 and smashed 18 goals when the feat was repeated three years later. Sadly, he was killed in action during the Great War. 18. Cristiano Ronaldo Goals 118 | Games 292 Young prodigy turned best player in the world, Ronaldo has the ability to find the net by any means – free-kick, penalty, left foot, right foot, head – and few players boast a better goals-per-games ratio. His standout season for the Reds was 2007/08 when he netted 42 times as Sir Alex’s men claimed a Premier League and Champions League double. 17. Andy Cole Goals 121 | Games 275 ‘Goal King Cole’ scored five in the 9-0 win over Ipswich Town just a couple of months after becoming a Red in 1995. His partnership with Dwight Yorke inspired United to Treble glory in 1998/99, with Cole firing the goal which clinched the league for the Reds that season against Tottenham. 16. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Goals 126 | Games 366 The Norwegian striker will forever be part of United folklore as the scorer of the most famous goal in the club’s history on that unforgettable night in the Nou Camp in 1999. That aside, he was a clinical, natural-born finisher and scored a number of vital strikes from a starting or substitute role. 15. Brian McClair Goals 127 | Games 471 ‘Choccy’ became the first player since George Best to score 20 league goals for the Reds in his debut campaign in 1987/88. He made a habit of netting in big games, scoring the winners in the European Super Cup and League Cup finals and also got on the scoresheet in the 1994 FA Cup final which sealed the Double. 14. Tommy Taylor Goals 131 | Games 191 Signed from Barnsley in 1953, Taylor was regarded by many as the greatest centre-forward to ever play for United and England. He won championship medals in 1956 (scoring 34 league goals) and 1957, and fired 16 goals in 19 internationals for England. He tragically lost his life in the Munich air crash in 1958. 13. David Herd Goals 145 | Games 265 Herd finished his first season at Old Trafford as leading goalscorer and also found the net on his United debuts in the FA Cup, the League Cup and all three European competitions. He played a vital role in helping the Reds seal the title in 1964/65. 12. Stan Pearson Goals 148 | Games 343 An almost ever present between 1946 and 1953, Pearson played a big role in Matt Busby’s first great United side who won the FA Cup in 1948. The inside forward scored seven goals on the way to Wembley, including a hat-trick in the semi-final against Derby, and opened the scoring in the final triumph over Blackpool. 11. Ruud van Nistelrooy Goals 150 | Games 219 The ultimate goal poacher, the Dutchman, who won the PFA Player of the Year award in his first season, struck 100 goals in his first three campaigns and 150 in total during five years with the club. An incredible tally of 44 goals inspired United to title glory in 2002/03 and he remains hugely popular with fans to this day. 10. Paul Scholes Goals 155 | Games 718 Uniteds third highest appearance-maker and a member of the famed Class of 92, Scholes spent his entire career with the Reds. His eye for goal was evident from the start when he netted twice on his debut and he ended his trophy-laden tenure in Uniteds top ten scoring list. 9. Mark Hughes Goals 163 | Games 467 A real fans favourite, Sparky amassed his impressive goal haul during two separate spells with the club. Hughes was a brave, determined and powerful striker who netted some spectacular strikes, most famously his volleyed injury-time equaliser against Oldham at Wembley to keep the 94 Double dream alive. 7=. Ryan Giggs Goals 168 | Games 963 After being credited with the winner on his first start in 1990/91, against Manchester City, the United legend went on to score in every season until his final year as a player. Unfortunately, his proud record was ended when Eldin Jakupovic made a fine save to tip over his free-kick on his final appearance vs Hull. 7=. Joe Spence Goals 168 | Games 510 (front row, third left) A ex-miner who also served in the Army, Spence was the first player to reach 500 club appearances and was a hugely popular figure. He was awarded benefit matches in 1924 and 1929 after he top- scored in five seasons between 1919/20 and 1931/32, serving with distinction for 14 years. 5=. George Best Goals 179 | Games 470 Bestie sits near the top of the scoring charts, despite not being an out-and-out frontman. It says much about the extraordinary talents of a player who many regard as the greatest of them all. 5=. Dennis Viollet Goals 179 | Games 293 After escaping from the Munich air disaster with minor head injuries, the prolific Manchester- born striker hit 32 league goals in 1959/60, a tally which has never been bettered by anyone in red. 4. Jack Rowley Goals 211 | Games 424 Only Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have enjoyed longer first-team careers than Rowleys 17 years and 199 days. He scored 12 hat- tricks, and twice set the club record for goals in a league season with 25 (1946/47) and 30 (1951/52). He was a goal-machine. 3. Wayne Rooney Goals 219 | Games 448 Our talismanic captain is on a personal mission to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s scoring records for both club and country - and only needs 31 more for United and another six for England to do so. At 29 years of age, only a brave man would bet against him achieving it. 2. Denis Law Goals 237 | Games 404 The Lawman, The King – Denis Law was idolised in the Stretford End and beyond for his unerring scoring exploits. A spiky, loveable character, he was revered precisely because he was capable of scoring 46 goals in season 1963/64, earning him the Ballon d’Or, while in six of 11 seasons he hit 20 goals or more. 1. Sir Bobby Charlton Goals 249 | Games 748 The fact that Charlton has remained right at the top of this elite list for so long (41 years) is testament to the scale of his monumental tally, especially for a player who played much of his career in midfield. He is simply incredible, scoring in every one of his 17 seasons in the first team...
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 00:02:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015