Manchester United were once the dominant force in English football, and although the Red Devils are still regarded by many as the biggest team in England today, their performance on the pitch has declined dramatically over the past decade.
During Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure, Manchester United's forward positions were always occupied by world-class players (or even more than one), providing a huge springboard for the team's success. But since Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, that has never been the case. The likes of Wout Weghorst, Falcao and Anthony Martial failed to provide reliable performances in the opposition penalty area, and despite his admirable performances leading the attack, Cavani's peak was coming to an end.
So who are the 12 best strikers in United's long history? The list is so impressive that the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have been left out despite their impressive seasons. Former star Cristiano Ronaldo is not on our list as he spent most of his golden years at Old Trafford on the wing.
So who is the best striker in Manchester United's history? (Cristiano Ronaldo is not on the list, having spent most of his golden years at Old Trafford on the wings.) ）
12. Carlos Tevez
Validity: 2007-2009
Carlos Tevez will go down in history as one of the best South American players in the Premier League. The former Argentine striker joined United on a two-year loan deal and quickly established himself at Old Trafford, where he developed good relations with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
During his time with the Red Devils, the Argentine striker won five major trophies, including the 2008 Champions League and two Premier League titles. His astonishing pace up front and sharp shooting ability have made him a remarkably difficult opponent for Premier League defenders. If he hadn't gone to rival Manchester City and stayed at the Theatre of Dreams, his status at Manchester United could have been even higher.
11. Robin van Persie
Potency period: 2012-2015
Robin van Persie's left foot was a beautiful thing to do in his prime. After spending eight years in north London, the Dutchman angered Arsenal fans in 2012 with a controversial move to rivals Manchester United. Van Persie helped the Reds to Premier League title with 26 goals in his first season at Manchester United.
The striker won Manchester United's Player of the Year award at the end of his first season. While most of his golden years were spent at Arsenal, his skill set and strength have made him one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
10. Dwight York
Serving time: 1998-2002
Dwight Yorke has certainly impressed despite only four years at Old Trafford, as he forms one of the greatest striker pairings in Premier League history with Andy Cole. The Trinidad and Tobago international scored 66 goals in 152 appearances for Manchester United, helping the Reds to a third consecutive Premier League title and leading them to Champions League glory in 1999.
In modern football, the two-striker combination has become a dying art, and most teams want to pack in the midfield rather than have the two strikers hold the opposition down front. Dwight York is the perfect front-line partner, who is both selfless and selfish when the right time to give himself an edge in front of goal.
9. Teddy Sheringham
Serving time: 1997-2001
Like Dwight Yorke, the England striker has not spent much of his career with the Red Devils, and he was not even a regular starter in the few seasons he spent at the Theatre of Dreams, but Sheringham still scored 46 goals in four seasons, continuing his formally strong scoring streak with previous teams.
Perhaps the most glorious moment of Sheringham's entire career – and the most memorable moment of his United shirt – was when he equalised in stoppage time against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final to secure United's historic treble.
8. Mark Hughes
Serving time: 1980-1986 > 1988-1995
Many new fans may know that Mark Hughes has spent the last 15 years in charge of Premier League teams such as Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers, and even spent some time at Manchester City, Manchester United's biggest rivals. However, for a certain generation, the Welsh fan will forever be known as a top striker, having spent the best years of his career at Old Trafford.
In fact, Mark Hughes played for Barcelona in the late 80s of the 20th century, becoming the first English player to break out of England and break into other European giants. However, due to poor performances, he returned to England and played for Manchester United for the second time. With 143 goals in 400 appearances for Manchester United, Mark Hughes wasn't the most goal-scoring striker in United's history, but it was definitely the most goals in his career, and it was a 'perfect match' for both sides at the time.
7. Andy Cole
Potency period: 1995-2001
Andy Cole is the aforementioned Dwight Yorke's strike partner, and the pair have brought brilliance to United when they are together. Andy Cole has a longer career at Old Trafford and has scored more goals than his former team-mates, so he is also higher on this list. In fact, it was shocking when Newcastle United agreed to sell the England striker to a league rival in 1995.
The £6 million deal was a very substantial transfer fee at the time. As the aforementioned players share in common, Andy Cole's time at United was the best of his career, scoring more than 100 goals for the Reds.
6. Jack Lorrey
Serving time: 1937-1954
For most fans, Jack Lowe is a very unfamiliar name. In 1937, at the age of 17, Jack Lowley was signed by Manchester United for £3,000 and he spent 17 years for Manchester United. Apparently, six of those years were during World War II, which meant he had actually only raced for 12 seasons. In nine of those 12 seasons, Jack Lowe has scored in double figures, and he is a reliable goalscorer by any standard.
5. Van Nistelrooy
Potency: 2001 - 2006
Ferguson didn't make many mistakes in establishing his dynasty at Old Trafford, but many felt that the decision to sell Van Nistelrooy was wrong at the time. Admittedly, the Dutchman's form has dropped in his final season at Manchester United compared to previous years. However, in that season (2005/06), Ruud van Nistelrooy scored 21 league goals before being sold to Real Madrid. The Netherlands international is probably the best finisher on the entire list and one of the greatest foreign players in the history of England's top flight.
4. Dennis Law
Serving time: 1962-1973
In 1964, Dennis Law became the first Scottish footballer to win the Ballon d'Or, a record that still stands today. It's also likely to be a long run of the record, as no Scotland international has reached the standard that has been held to this day and the likes of Kenny Dalglish. He ended his career in 1974 at Manchester City, Manchester City's local rivals, but he is still regarded as an icon of Manchester United, which speaks volumes about how impressive the striker is. The Scottish star has scored over 200 goals during his time at Manchester United, averaging two goals in every three games.
3. Bobby Charlton
Serving time: 1956-1973
Bobby Charlton is the second player on this list to win the Ballon d'Or, but he is a cut ahead of Dennis Law, having won the Ballon d'Or twice. The star held the team's top scorer record for decades, only to be broken in 2017.
233 goals is sensational by anyone's standards, and it's a big reason why the Englishman is considered United's greatest player to date. Bobby Charlton also has a slight disadvantage, as he has played most of his career in midfield, playing more of a creative role.
2. Cantona
Serving time: 1992-1997
At Old Trafford, Cantona was known as the 'King' and the signing of Alex Ferguson from Leeds United in 1992 was a stroke of genius. Prior to Roy Keane's arrival, the French striker was regarded as one of the best captains United had ever seen, which speaks volumes about the popularity and respect he has enjoyed during his five years at the club.
1. Wayne Rooney
Potency: 2004-2017
Among the many strikers, the one with the most goals is rightfully at the top of the list. Wayne Rooney broke Bobby Charlton's record with 253 goals to become the Reds' all-time top scorer. He was also England's all-time top scorer before Harry Kane recently broke the national record with 53 goals.
Ferguson, who brought the 18-year-old Rooney from Everton to the Red Devils in 2004, spent 13 years at Manchester United and quickly adapted to his new surroundings after scoring a hat-trick on his Champions League debut. The England striker has always been a calm finisher with the ability to score with both feet and even with his head, but he's not just a goalscorer, he's just as good as his skills, as evidenced by his switch to midfield late in his career.