Wayne Rooney scored his 150th league goal in the win over Arsenal a fortnight ago, but is he Manchester United’s greatest striker ever? Let's count down the ten greatest strikers to ever put on the red of Manchester.
With a smooth curl of the ball from a free kick in the 41st minute, Wayne Rooney scored his 150th goal as a Red Devil in the 8-2 rout of Arsenal a fortnight ago, bumping his name into the club's top 10 list of all-time goal scorers.
His next goal, almost a carbon copy of his first, meant that he would overtake Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes - both have 150 goals apiece - before his hat-trick on the 82nd minute edged him closer to Ryan Giggs, who is on 159.
10) OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER
Sure, he might have spent most of his United career as substitute, but no one's laughing when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comes off the bench and knocks in a goal or two in extra time. Nicknamed the 'Baby-Faced Assassin', Solskjaer was known as a "super sub" for scoring goals instantly off the bench. Of course, who could forget his heroics during the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final where he dramatically scored the winning goal against Bayern Munich in injury time to help United clinch the Treble.
9) DENNIS VIOLLET
One of the Busty Babes who survived the Munich air disaster, Dennis Viollet was considered one of the most underrated strikers to ever play the game. A product of the United youth system, he scored 178 goals in 291 games for the club, including four in the 10-0 thrashing of Belgian champs Anderlecht in the 1956 European Cup preliminary round second leg tie. If that's not good enough for you, he proved his worth by scoring a club record 32 goals in 36 games during the in the 1959-60 season - a few months after recovering from serious facial injuries suffered in the air disaster!
8) ANDY COLE
During his playing heydays, Andy Cole was a prolific scorer. His partnership with Dwight Yorke at United during the 90s was so successful; they were rated as one of the most feared attacking partnerships in all of Europe. Cole emerged as United's top goal scorer in several campaigns - scoring 20 or more goals in three consecutive seasons - and his 187 total Premier League goals is second most in league history. Not bad at all.
During his playing heydays, Andy Cole was a prolific scorer. His partnership with Dwight Yorke at United during the 90s was so successful; they were rated as one of the most feared attacking partnerships in all of Europe. Cole emerged as United's top goal scorer in several campaigns - scoring 20 or more goals in three consecutive seasons - and his 187 total Premier League goals is second most in league history. Not bad at all.
7) TOMMY TAYLOR
One of Sir Matt Busby's most promising stars, Tommy Taylor was a world class act during his time with United. He proved himself to be a monster in front of goal from the get-go; scoring twice on his debut and he went on to rack up an astonishing 112 goals in 166 games during his United career en route to leading the Red Devils to two league titles in 1955-56 and 1956-57. Sadly, he was killed in the Munich air disaster shortly after he turned 26.
One of Sir Matt Busby's most promising stars, Tommy Taylor was a world class act during his time with United. He proved himself to be a monster in front of goal from the get-go; scoring twice on his debut and he went on to rack up an astonishing 112 goals in 166 games during his United career en route to leading the Red Devils to two league titles in 1955-56 and 1956-57. Sadly, he was killed in the Munich air disaster shortly after he turned 26.
6) JACK ROWLEY
His name might not ring a bell, but don't let that fool you: Jack Rowley is arguably one of United's greatest ever strikers. Making his debut for United in 1937 at the age of 17, he scored four goals in only his second game for the Red Devils against Swansea. During his illustrious, 17-year career with United, Rowley became only the third United player in history to score 200 goals for the club - 211 to be exact. And get this: his nickname back then was 'The Gunner'.
His name might not ring a bell, but don't let that fool you: Jack Rowley is arguably one of United's greatest ever strikers. Making his debut for United in 1937 at the age of 17, he scored four goals in only his second game for the Red Devils against Swansea. During his illustrious, 17-year career with United, Rowley became only the third United player in history to score 200 goals for the club - 211 to be exact. And get this: his nickname back then was 'The Gunner'.
5) RUUD VAN NISTELROOY
It's safe to say that no United player has a goal scoring knack like Ruud van Nistelrooy had at Old Trafford, and his record undoubtedly spoke volumes: five seasons, 200 starts, 150 goals, one Premier League title, one FA Cup and a League Cup, as well as a Golden Boot trophy. It's a shame he was forced to leave the club in 2006, but he still remains as one of United's best ever strikers, no doubt about that.
It's safe to say that no United player has a goal scoring knack like Ruud van Nistelrooy had at Old Trafford, and his record undoubtedly spoke volumes: five seasons, 200 starts, 150 goals, one Premier League title, one FA Cup and a League Cup, as well as a Golden Boot trophy. It's a shame he was forced to leave the club in 2006, but he still remains as one of United's best ever strikers, no doubt about that.
4) WAYNE ROONEY
Joining United at the age of 19, Wayne Rooney has established himself as one of the club's greatest ever strikers. He scored his 150th goal for the club in the 8-2 thrashing of Arsenal two weeks ago, and the scary part is that he is only 25! The best is yet to come for Rooney, and when it eventually comes, we say watch out, title rivals.
Joining United at the age of 19, Wayne Rooney has established himself as one of the club's greatest ever strikers. He scored his 150th goal for the club in the 8-2 thrashing of Arsenal two weeks ago, and the scary part is that he is only 25! The best is yet to come for Rooney, and when it eventually comes, we say watch out, title rivals.
3) DENIS LAW
One third of the 'Holy Trinity' alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best, Denis Law was the original King of the Stretford End. An absolute predator in front of goal, Law is United's second highest goal-scorer behind Charlton and he holds the record for most goals scored in a season with 46. He's such a celebrated player; former Arsenal hero Dennis Bergkamp was reportedly named after him.
One third of the 'Holy Trinity' alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best, Denis Law was the original King of the Stretford End. An absolute predator in front of goal, Law is United's second highest goal-scorer behind Charlton and he holds the record for most goals scored in a season with 46. He's such a celebrated player; former Arsenal hero Dennis Bergkamp was reportedly named after him.
2) CRISTIANO RONALDO
Sure, he's more of a winger than a striker, but once you put him up front, there's no stopping Cristiano Ronaldo. 118 goals in 292 appearances for United (including a monstrous 42-goal effort in the 2008 season), several Golden Boots, one Ballon d'Or award and a "Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law" declaration by football legend Johan Cruyff, he will for sure go down in history as one of United's greatest forwards.
Sure, he's more of a winger than a striker, but once you put him up front, there's no stopping Cristiano Ronaldo. 118 goals in 292 appearances for United (including a monstrous 42-goal effort in the 2008 season), several Golden Boots, one Ballon d'Or award and a "Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law" declaration by football legend Johan Cruyff, he will for sure go down in history as one of United's greatest forwards.
1) ERIC CANTONA
It's an unwritten rule at Old Trafford: thou shalt not question Eric Cantona's status as the greatest striker in United history. The man they called King, Cantona made a big impact during his short stay at the club: scoring 82 goals in 185 appearances, winning four Premier League titles and two FA Cups in just five seasons. His flair and sheer arrogance, apart from his incredible goal-scoring exploits, made him an icon at United.
It's an unwritten rule at Old Trafford: thou shalt not question Eric Cantona's status as the greatest striker in United history. The man they called King, Cantona made a big impact during his short stay at the club: scoring 82 goals in 185 appearances, winning four Premier League titles and two FA Cups in just five seasons. His flair and sheer arrogance, apart from his incredible goal-scoring exploits, made him an icon at United.
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