After 31 years since the inauguration of the Premier League back in 1992, many unfathomable goals have been scored.
From Papiss Cisse’s unbelievable curler, to Olivier Giroud’s breath taking scorpion kick, the Premier League has seen it all.
With the giants Manchester United, having won 13 of the 30 seasons since the transition away from the original first division format, this correlates to 43.3% of title wins in this time.
No other team has come close to winning nearly as many Premier League titles in the last 30 years, with the closest competitors being local rivals Manchester City with seven, and Chelsea on five.
In title winning sides, there’s often matches when one singular moment of magic can win them the game. The quality in these teams are so high, particularly in the rampant Sir Alex Ferguson era, that an abundance of utterly spectacular goals are scored.
My top 10 Manchester United Premier League goals:
10th – Antonio Valencia’s screamer against Everton:
The Ecuadorian had some strike on him, and this was evidence of such. From outside the box, on the half volley, the technique is extraordinary, combined with the sheer power Valencia unleashes with his right foot. A goal worthy of the 10th position in this list.
9th – Juan Mata’s acrobatic goal against Liverpool at Anfield:
This cemented the Spaniard’s legacy at United with Liverpool’s stadium being transformed into ‘Juanfield.’ This goal just oozes quality, with Di Maria’s artistic chipped pass, topped off by Mata’s sublime ability to adjust his body quickly, to produce a perfectly placed scissor kick, leaving Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet no chance. The fact it silenced Anfield just makes this goal even better.
8th – Paul Pogba’s cutting edge volley:
From his very first game in a United shirt, Pogba’s talent was evident, unfortunately the Frenchman wasn’t able to consistently deliver the quality expected. However, this goal is a moment of sheer brilliance which epitomises what the Frenchman could do. Such sublime technique makes for a breathtaking watch.
7th – Dimitar Berbatov’s phenomenal overhead kick against Liverpool:
If you were to describe Berbatov with one video, this would be it. Known for his unbelievable first touch, the Bulgarian’s ability to bring a high cross under control with just his knee, before pivoting to find the right angle to produce a jaw dropping overhead kick, is out of this world. The fact it goes in off the crossbar is the icing on a delicious cake.
6th – Eric Cantona’s audacious chip:
There’s a reason this man is known as ‘the king’ of Old Trafford alongside Denis Law. The Frenchman’s trickery to initially get past two men, before laying it off and receiving it back and then producing one of the finest finishes in Premier League history, is out of this world. The chip was inch perfect, nestling in the back of the net off the post. A goal only fitting to be scored by someone like Cantona and his tremendous aura and quality.
5th – Robin van Persie’s brilliant volley from a tremendous pass from Wayne Rooney:
Just extraordinary. Everything about this goal is perfection. Rooney’s pass is effortless, but brilliant and the Dutch striker’s ability to take it on the volley and find the back of the net is mind blowing. A staple of the Premier League’s finest.
4th – David Beckham’s halfway goal:
A goal that even non-football fans would know. Something so ridiculous that it will always be iconic. The quality and technique needed to strike the ball so perfectly, is something truly magnificent.
3rd – Cristiano Ronaldo’s breath-taking freekick against Portsmouth:
If you asked the majority of football fans to name their top three best free kick goals in Premier League history, Ronaldo’s against Portsmouth would always be in it. Ronaldo made the knuckleball technique what it is today and this freekick has inspired so many to try learn the difficult skill and to also re-create the masterpiece of a dead-ball strike.
2nd – Paul Scholes mind blowing volley against Aston Villa:
The English icon has scored many tremendous goals in his decorated career, but this might be his best. The quality needed to watch the ball gradually come down and to strike it so effortlessly perfectly onto the crossbar and in, is unfathomable.
1st – Rooney’s bicycle kick against Manchester City:
Who else? It had to be this stunner against the ‘noisy neighbours.’ This goal is timeless and one that will likely be many peoples best Premier League goal for decades to come. Rooney’s impeccable ability to adjust to the deflection on Nani’s initial cross and to produce a bicycle kick from quite far out, into the top right corner, is second to none. Joe Hart was left standing in awe, as were the fans and anyone watching at home. I don’t see a United goal topping this for a long time, nor even any Premier League goal.
Honourable mentions
When working out my list, I realised how many unbelievable league goals United have scored. With it only being a top 10, I had to include 10 honourable mentions because of the sheer caliber of goals that are missing out and deserved a mention.
Angel Di Maria’s chip against Leicester:
This magnificent chip deserved a mention due to it’s audacious and sublime nature. Although the Argentinian didn’t work out at Old Trafford, I will always remember this goal fondly.
Nemanja Matic’s thunderbolt against Crystal Palace:
With United desperate for a winning goal, this sumptuous volley is one I’ll never forget. Matic was a brilliant asset for United in the first couple seasons.
Rooney’s freekick against Stoke:
Deep into stoppage time, only one man could salvage United a point like Rooney did. From the angle, to the power, it was perfect. This was then topped off by it making Rooney United’s all-time goal scorer, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton.
Henrik Mkhitaryan’s scorpion kick:
Despite it technically being an offside goal, this moment of magic from the Armenian will be stapled in famous Premier League goals for years to come.
Rooney’s volley against Newcastle:
Going all the way back to 2005, when a young, hot headed Rooney, was arguing with the referee, but just less than 10 seconds later, he blasted the ball into the back of the net. This goal just exemplifies the sheer brilliance of the Englishman.
Nani’s chip vs Arsenal:
It was tough deciding between this and his corker against Tottenham, but just the skill to chop between two players, then take it past another and to then find the quality needed to chip the goalkeeper from such a tight angle, it’s brilliant. Granted you could argue he wasn’t trying to score, but he did so…
Ashley Young’s curler against Arsenal:
The bend and curl the tricky winger got on this effort is ridiculous. Its just a joy to watch the ball gradually arrow into the top right corner.
Rooney’s halfway line goal against West Ham:
Despite it not being as good as Beckham’s, the technique and quality needed to chip the goalkeeper from just inside the oppositions half on the volley, is breathtaking.
Rafael’s driver against QPR:
The Brazilians effort is just brilliant. From so far out, the fullback wellies it into the top left corner, leaving the goalkeeper in no mans land.
Federico Macheda’s title defining goal against Aston Villa:
This goal was jaw dropping in so many ways. From the fact it was his debut at just 17-years of age, to the quality turn, to the electric strike, this goal had it all. Now what makes it even better, was the significance it had in the title race, as this effort was fundamental in United winning the league that season.