Where does Cristiano Ronaldo rank in the list of Manchester United legends?
“Who are these old men?”
Few objective fans could deny that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of Man Utd’s all-time great players.
But where exactly does the departed C-Ron rank in United’s hall of fame, alongside legends like George Best, Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Bryan Robson, Peter Schmeichel, Denis Law, Ryan Giggs, Nobby Stiles, Paddy Crerand et al?
Let’s say United’s top five all-time legends looks something like this:
1. George Best
2. Bobby Charlton
3. Eric Cantona
4. Duncan Edwards
5. Roy Keane
Did Ronaldo do enough in his time at Old Trafford to crack that mighty top five? Would you go as far as putting him at No.1 (some fans would)? Or is he not even a legend, simply because of the way he conducted himself off the pitch?
Let’s have it…
Piers Morgan On Twitter, The 'Highlights' – The FCF
Goodbye And Good Luck: European Football Weekends – The Last Post
January Transfer Window Horseshit Infographic – Bootiful Game
Umbro's New Universitario De Deportes Home Shirt Is Beautiful – TBG
Sexual Adventures Of Demarcus La Shonda – Fitba Thatba
A Year In Non-League Football Photos – Pitch Invasion
Who The Big Four (And Liverpool) Should Sign In January – The FCF
Top 5 Footballing Candidates For Prime Minister – OTP
Why Belgium Will Win The 2018 World Cup – SOTB
Top 10 Goalie Goals – The Coin Toss
In the drain!
I would continue the list like this:
6. Ryan Giggs
7. Peter Schmeichel
8. Denis Law
9. Bryan Robson
10. Bill Foulkes
11. Gary Neville
12. Paul Scholes
13. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has been excellent for United. But let’s not forget that he evolved from anonymitee in an already top 3 side in England. He didn’t (unlike Robson, Schmeichel, Cantona and more) bring the team back from nothing to the top of the league. And also the fact that he’s always been clear about the fact that Real Madrid is where his heart lies, brings a small minus to his legendary staus. =)
Great comment Leiv. He’d just make my Top 10. Just.
Not on the Sheet, To much of a cry baby and put us through a lot of hell two years ago making up his mind where he was going to play, Manchester is my life and now he is at Real, he is a tosser
Well said.
There is no way that CR7 (wait, CR9) makes the top 3. I saw Best and Cantona play. Stats alone tell us that Sir Bobby is in no jeopardy of his place by CR9.
I respect the legend of Duncan Edwards, but having never seen him play, I cannot say. I do know this… it is said that Edwards could play on ANY spot on the field and shine. The same could not be said of CR9.
As to Keano, well, I loved seeing him play, but not sure even he is #5. Do I put CR9 ahead of him… that one is close. I actually prefer Giggs to Keane.
Just my 3 cents worth.
Giggs, Schmeichel,Scholes, Gary Neville,Robson, Law and Beckham still above Ronaldo. Some of the attitude ON the pitch was bad enough let alone off it!!!
edit – even Rio, Vidic and Rooney come before “Gods Gift to Everthing” (Trademarked)
despite the fact that he did cause us 2 years of agony towards the end, the less bitter and more sensible united fans would agree with me that ronaldo did give us 6 years and is amongst the best we have ever had.
his level of performance for the last three years is better than any other premiership player I have seen in my time watching the game and i would say maybe single handedly he won us two, if not three league titles.
rooney has been great for us but in comparison to ronaldo he does not compare. giggs has been a legend over the years but give me ronaldo any day of the week.
theirry henry comes a close second in terms of premiership players but that boy ronaldo is the best.
in my opinion the top 5 is;
1) Giggs
2) Charlton
3) Best
4) Ronaldo
5) Cantona
according to impact and ability
No debate. One word. Nowhere
Funny how united fans are giving him shit now that he’s gone …….
The funny thing is he doesn’t give a rats butt where you put him.
Apparently, Kaveh Solhekol at The Times is even more careful than me on Ronaldos legendary status. He puts Ronaldo at #50 =)
Why is Duncan Edwards a United legend? That is ridiculous. He was only about 21 or 22 when he passed away and only played a handful of games. Yes it was said he was an amazing talent, yet he doesn’t stand anywhere near the giggs’ the scholes’, keano’s or Cantonas.
I’d say he makes the top 10 because he was fantastic for us the last few seasons, but I think someone like Giggs has achieved more and has done more for the club, and for a sustained period, not just three or four seasons. I think Ronaldo’s attitude ultimately means that he’ll never be spoken of in the same breath as Charlton, Edwards, Giggs, Best etc.
In fact, amny of the fans I’ve spoken to feel even Beckham is more of an OT legend than CR7/9.
Andrew
You don’t know what your talking about mate. I am an ardent Liverpool fan, but I’m sensible enough to recognize that Duncan Edwards is a legend.
I think people are forgetting that you aren’t just a legend because you are the best player.
Ronaldo is clearly one of the best in the world and will be remember in ManUtd history, but it takes more than just playing well and scoring goals to put you in as a legend. Its about the impact you have on those around you, and how people feel about you.
I for one was always glad when Ronaldo played and it was great when he did wonderful things, but I never felt the way i did about Keane, Robson, Cantona. I would never have moaned about one of those players, but I did about Ronaldo when he went down again or didn’t track back. You’d never want to slap a legend, but there was always times when Ronaldo could have done with one.
There is no way that CR7 (wait, CR9) makes the top 3. I saw Best and Cantona play. Stats alone tell us that Sir Bobby is in no jeopardy of his place by CR9.
I respect the legend of Duncan Edwards, but having never seen him play, I cannot say. I do know this… it is said that Edwards could play on ANY spot on the field and shine. The same could not be said of CR9.
As to Keano, well, I loved seeing him play, but not sure even he is #5. Do I put CR9 ahead of him… that one is close. I actually prefer Giggs to Keane.
Just my 3 cents worth.
Ronaldo’s not a United legend and he never will be because he thought he was bigger than the club.
Also, Leiv, no solskjaer on that list? wtf?
Interesting that no one has mentioned Ruud van Nistelrooy at all. The club didn’t win so many trophies during his time there, but he scored more goals in less games than Ronaldo. He also didn’t leave when he was still wanted.
ronaldo is ranked fifth alongside roy keane
Ronaldo and tevez are both legends