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A list of Manchester United's five most legendary players
Attempting to name Manchester United's five most legendary players is a hard enough task, let alone ranking them in order.
During the Red Devils' 135-year history, some of the greatest players in football history have called Old Trafford their home.
There are subsequently numerous ex-Manchester United players who fall into the 'legendary' category, all of whom would deserve a place in this top five list.
The likes of Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Roger Bryne, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and, of course, Duncan Edwards all deserve an honourable mention.
Particularly Edwards, who Sir Bobby Charlton insists is the only player who made him feel inferior as a footballer. High praise indeed for the footballer who tragically passed away at the age of 21, along with 22 others, in the 1958 Munich Air Disaster.
The five players below all helped shape Manchester United into the European giant that it is today. All five still hold a special place in the hearts of the oldest United supporters; their names will be chanted at Old Trafford for as long as the club survives.
5. Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona only spent five years at Old Trafford, but no player was more synonymous with Manchester United than the mercurial Frenchman during the 1990s - one of the most successful decades in the Red Devils' history.
After joining from Leeds United for a bargain £1.2m, Cantona went on to win four Premier League titles and two FA Cups, scoring 69 goals in 220 appearances and lighting up Old Trafford with countless stunning performances.
A supremely gifted football who exuded a mixture of confidence and arrogance, his decision to retire at the age of 30 stunned the football world.
His decision to then embark on acting career, less so.
4. Denis Law
You have to earn a nickname like 'The King' - and Denis Law did just that during his 11-year spell with Manchester United.
The Scottish centre-forward was prolific at Old Trafford, and became one third of United's 'Holy Trinity' alongside fellow legends George Best and Bobby Charlton.
In total, Law netted 237 goals in 404 appearances for the north-west outfit, winning two league titles, an FA Cup and, of course, the 1968 European Cup.
His superb displays at Old Trafford earned him the coveted European Footballer of the Year award in 1964 - and he remains the only Scot to ever win the prestigious individual accolade.
3. Ryan Giggs
What more can be said about Ryan Giggs? The most decorated footballer in the history of English football, with every major honour under his belt, Giggs is still going strong as he approaches his 40th birthday.
No player in Manchester United's 135-year history has played for the club more than the Welsh wizard, who burst onto the scene back in 1990.
The consummate professional, who was blessed with unique abilities, Giggs is a role model to every aspiring footballer.
A future Manchester United manager? Don't bet against it.
2. George Best
The Belfast boy was born with a special gift - and boy did he showcase it during his 11 years with Manchester United.
Widely regarded as the best footballer of his era, it's a crying shame that Best didn't get to play at a World Cup finals, but he still managed to show the world his class at Old Trafford.
The Northern Irishman, who passed away in 2005 at the premature age of 59 after a long battle with alcoholism, scored some of the most magnificent goals that English football has ever been treated to.
Nicknamed the 'fifth Beatle' because of his star quality, Best was not just a celebrity: he was a supremely gifted footballer who deservedly lifted the Ballon d'Or in 1968 after winning the European Cup.
His legacy will always live on.
1. Bobby Charlton
If you was to ask anyone around the world to name an iconic English footballer, chances are they would name - after David Beckham, of course - the legendary Bobby Charlton.
The former midfielder was a class act: blessed with a powerful long-range shot and consistently on the scoresheet during his 18-year career with the Red Devils.
In fact, Charlton remains Manchester United's all-time top scorer - remarkable considering he left the club 40 years ago.
Charlton played a huge part in England winning their first - and, to date, only - World Cup, back in 1966, and finished his career with a host of individual and team honours to his name, including the 1966 Ballon d'Or.
Sir Bobby is still regularly seen at Old Trafford due to his role as a director at the club - and is, arguably, Manchester United's most revered legend.
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