Manchester United is a club blessed with a rich history.
From the Busby Babes to the Class of 92, it’s a club like no other.
With such moments, come great players.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best to name a few.
But who has played at the club for the longest?
10th Roy Keane
Leader. Captain. Legend.
Roy Keane made 475 appearances in his 13 years at the club.
He was the best player on the pitch in United’s Champions League semi-final victory against Juventus in Turin. Despite knowing he’d miss the final due to suspension, the Irish midfielder unselfishly produced one of the all-time great European performances, even scoring to steer United into the final which they famously won in 1999.
9th Tony Dunne
From one Irishman to another.
Tony Dunne made 490 appearances in his 13 years at the club. He signed in 1960 and remained till 1973.
He was part of the famous 1968 side to win the European Cup a decade on from the Munich Air Disaster. But unlike many ex-players, he doesn’t have fond memories of the club
In an interview, Dunne said: “When I left United, it felt like a waste of 13 years.
“What an absolute fool I was all those years. What an idiot. I know I came from a poor background, but how did I ever fall for all that crap? It’s there – 530 games, a European Cup medal, but sometimes that’s not enough.”
8th Denis Irwin
Another Irishman!
Mr Consistent.
The man who Sir Alex Ferguson could always trust and call upon. When speaking about Irwin, Ferguson said: “But honestly, I would say Denis Irwin would be the one certainty to get in the team. I called him an eight out of 10.”
Denis Irwin played 512 games for United from 1990-2002.
7th David de Gea
The most recent member on this list.
De Gea at his best was truly remarkable to watch. His ability to make sensational saves was like no one else in the world.
The Spaniard saved United more times than the earth has revolved around the sun.
He made 545 appearances in his 12-year tenure at the club.
United have had some of the finest goalkeepers to grace the game at the club and he was certainly one of them.
6th Wayne Rooney
Arguably United’s best-ever player.
Wayne Rooney was special. From breaking on to the season at 16, Rooney had unbelievable talent.
Upon signing for the club, he quickly became a starter. 13 years later and he’d leave as United’s top goal scorer with 253 goals also assisting 139.
📣 "He goes by the name of @WayneRooney!" 🎶👏#MUFC | #PLHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/HQkiSO6WxN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 1, 2022
United will never have a played quite like Rooney.
5th Bill Foulkes
Coming through the academy, Bill Foulkes was at the club from 1951 to 1970. 19 years!
Foulkes was one of the lucky survivors of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster.
He made 572 appearances for the club.
4th Gary Neville
Like Foulkes, Gary Neville was at the club for 19 years. He came through the academy in the early 90s before making his debut for United in 1992. He wouldn’t leave till 2011. His legs had well and truly gone by then.
Neville was a brilliant fullback for United, often not getting the credit he deserved due to more standout names like David Beckham and Andy Cole.
He made 599 appearances for United.
3rd Sir Bobby Charlton
The definition of a United legend.
The late Sir Bobby Charlton was just sensational.
Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, 1937-2023.
Words will never be enough.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 21, 2023
Until Rooney overtook him, he was United’s all-time top goal scorer with 234. He was also England’s top scorer until Rooney did the same thing again.
Charlton made 695 appearances for the club in his 17 years playing for United. Like Foulkes, he was one of the lucky survivors of the Munich Air Disaster but was incredibly influential in United’s European Cup win in 1968.
2nd Paul Scholes
The best passer of a football United has probably ever had.
Scholes could pick you out with a long ball from anywhere.
In his 18 years, Scholes oversaw United winning everything. He conducted the games.
He also scored 107 goals.
Scholes made 713 appearances.
1st Ryan Giggs
239 appearances ahead of Scholes is Ryan Giggs.
The Welshman played 952 times for United. A record which won’t be beaten.
Giggs scored 164 goals and assisted 253 times.
He was a world-class winger who was impossible to stop in his prime.
His ability to adapt his game in his older years cannot be underestimated.
An astonishing record for a phenomenal player.