The dominance of Manchester United over the years generally comes from that critical area of the pitch: midfield. This part of the field is where the pace of the game is regulated where battles are won or lost, and where United built their identity.
From Roy Keane’s furious leadership down to Paul Scholes’s brilliant vision, the midfielders of Old Trafford have been the key to the club’s success. They controlled the tempo, anchored the team, and occasionally pulled off moments of sheer brilliance that decided the outcome of the game.
Certainly, not every midfielder to pull on a United shirt has gone on to reach legendary status, with big-money signings and talented players in their right failing to live up to expectations.
The legacy of United’s great midfielders endures.
Here are ten of the best midfielders who have pulled on the famous red shirt during the Premier League era, each of whom has left a solid mark on the club.
1. Paul Scholes
The gold standard of Manchester United midfielders undeniably comes in the form of Scholes.
A maestro-like presence dictating the tempo of the game for nearly twenty years, he was versatile-either capable of spraying 40-yard passes or ghosting into the box to score such crucial goals.
Scholes had incredible technique and a razor-sharp footballing mind, complemented by tenacity that made him a force in both attacking and defensive phases.
With 11 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, and 2 Champions League titles, the record speaks volumes.
His influence extended to more than just numbers-respected by Zidane and Xavi, Scholes’s footballing IQ was from another world.
His pinpoint passing, ability to control games, and knack for scoring critical goals cemented him as the finest midfielder in United’s history. He was, and remains, the benchmark for any future United midfielder.
2. Roy Keane
Keane was the beating heart of United during its most successful years under Sir Alex Ferguson. Keane was not just a midfielder; he was a force of nature.
Fierce leadership, a work rate which verged on the unparalleled, and a will to win that perhaps nobody else could match put together sum up what United stood for under the Ferguson era.
As captain, Keane demanded the highest standard from his teammates, often hauling his team through games by the sheer strength of his personality.
Keane’s performance in the 1999 Champions League semi-final second leg against Juventus-later to be named as one of the most iconic performances at Old Trafford-tells a lot about him as a leader since he was already sure he would miss out on the final due to suspension.
With 7 Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy, Keane will always be remembered for his relentlessness and unyielding pursuit of excellence.
3. Ryan Giggs
While often remembered as one of the greatest wingers of all time, Giggs transitioned into a more central role in his latter years showing incredible football intelligence and adaptability.
When that explosive pace that defined the early part of his career began to lose steam, Giggs reinvented himself as a central midfielder where retaining the ball, having great vision, and composure enabled him to dictate the pace of the game.
Unmatched is Giggs for longevity and success. His 13 Premier League titles and 2 Champions League victories not to mention a slew of individual awards, underpin his importance to the club.
Whether providing width and assists from out wide or dictating play centrally in his later years, Giggs was indispensable for more than two decades. Few players can boast of such importance over such an extended period.
4. David Beckham
Beckham may be best remembered for his celebrity status but on the pitch, he was one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.
Mainly a right winger, his role in United’s midfield was an important component. He had great crossing ability, pinpoint long-range passing, and deadly free kicks that made him a constant threat to opposition defences.
Consistently and professionally, Beckham was the reason United for so many years through late 1990 and into the early 2000s-actually the season of 1998-99 when they took the treble-could get away with not having a proper wide midfielder on either flank.
Six Premier League titles and a Champions League medal are proof of his contributions. Beyond his technical gifts, Beckham’s tireless work ethic and tactical awareness made him much more than just a star.
5. Michael Carrick
While Scholes was the artist of United’s midfield, Michael Carrick was its architect.
It would be appropriate to say that the understated style of Carrick often slipped under the radar, but he was so composed on the ball, always impeccably positioned and intelligently passing his way through matches for over a decade. His ability to start attacks with a single pass and to protect the defence with minimum fuss made him irreplaceable.
With Keane’s sudden exit, many had asked who would fill his place. Carrick, in his way, fitted the bill as he claimed a record 5 Premier League titles and a Champions League en route.
He was not the most vocal figure on the pitch, but silently he was consistent and composed; a silent facilitator that accommodated others to shine.
Thereby, he is surely one of the most underappreciated midfielders of his generation.
6. Park Ji-sung
He was an indefatigable worker, but also tactically so intelligent, and Park Ji-sung was Sir Alex Ferguson’s man for the big games.
Often under the radar in United’s midfield, he caused constant press, broke up the play, and was always on late runs inside the box; this made him a very important part of the team, especially in the big games.
The most memorable of these performances was in the 2010 Champions League quarter-final against AC Milan when he shut out the creative influence of Andrea Pirlo.
The diverse skills, humility, and penchant for scoring vital goals won Park four Premier League titles and a Champions League medal. His selflessness and work rate made him a fan favourite and unsung hero during United’s most successful periods.
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7. Darren Fletcher
Fletcher was the embodiment of what is termed an “unsung hero.”
He was a workaholic with incredible resiliency. Hence, he became one of the mainstays in midfield for Sir Alex Ferguson. His capabilities included breaking up play, reading the game, and providing balance in midfield; hence, he normally featured in some of United’s biggest games.
Fletcher’s importance during the 2008-09 season as United chased another Premier League title cannot be understated.
His suspension for the 2009 Champions League final was seen as one of the major factors in United’s defeat to Barcelona. Having fought illness in his later years, Fletcher’s five Premier League titles and Champions League success cement his place among United’s greats.
8. Paul Ince
Paul Ince was one of Manchester United’s original midfield stars of the Premier League era. Nicknamed “The Guv’nor,” Ince brought steel, dynamism, and a commanding presence to the heart of United’s midfield.
His box-to-box ability, leadership qualities, and knack for finding the net with important goals made him the main man during these early stages of the 1990s.
He formed a formidable partnership with Roy Keane, and often between them, opposition midfield was overcome. A controversial departure in 1995 did not detract from the fact that Ince’s role in United’s first two Premier League title victories was crucial.
The toughness and leadership he provided in those formative years acted as a cornerstone for United’s future successes.
9. Nicky Butt
Butt was the unsung hero of United’s famous Class of ’92. While most of the headlines went to Giggs and Scholes, Butt’s tenacity, work ethic, and uncompromising style of play made him a crucial cog in United’s midfield, most notably in those big games where physicality was key.
His value also lay in breaking up play to protect the defence, especially during United’s treble-winning season in 1999.
He won six Premier League titles and a Champions League medal, proof of his worth within the team during one of the club’s most successful periods. Though he might have lacked the flair and panache of some more illustrious colleagues, he was very dependable and gave the club great service.
10. Bruno Fernandes
Though relatively new to the club, the Portuguese midfielder is leaving a good mark. Since his arrival in January 2020, Fernandes has been a driving force in United’s midfield providing much-needed creativity, goals, and leadership.
The ability to take control of games, provide pin-point passes, and nail crucial goals has made him a fan favourite.
His work ethic and fender for success have revitalized United’s midfield, and his impact on the pitch has been immediate.
Capable of turning any game, with a leadership that pulls others up with him, Fernandes has already placed his name in United lore. The best is yet to come with this player and club.
Other Notable Mentions
- Paul Pogba
- Sebastien Veron
- Bryan Robson
- Juan Mata
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