Top 10 Best Manchester United strikers of All Time (Ranked)

The English giants Manchester United, as a football club, have been known to play some of the most exciting and dominant football in English football history. In fact, they are the most decorated club in the world, winning loads of trophies and titles. While they have had great players in all positions play for the club, the Red Devils’ strikers have left a particularly sweet taste in the mouths of football fanatics.

The club have been home to some of the best Manchester United strikers of all time, such as Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and Dimitar Berbatov, etc. These forwards have scored truckloads of goals during their time for the club and have set some incredible records as they earned their names among the greatest Manchester United strikers of all time. Without further ado, let’s look at the top 10 names who have illuminated their time at Manchester United with their goal-scoring prowess, wearing the Red Devils shirt.

List of Greatest Man United Strikers

Here's the list of ten greatest Man united strikers to ever play for the club. These legendary goal scorers etched history with their greatness in front goal.

How We Ranked the Greatest Manchester United Strikers of all Time?

In order to find out who is the best striker ever in Manchester United history, we have considered several ranking factors based on which these Red Devils strikers are ranked.

• Stats & Longevity: Primary ranking factors are stats and how long they have played at the club, while consistently contributing to the team.
• Trophies & Achievements: The second ranking factor is the number of trophies and achievements a player has achieved during their spell at United.
• Overall Impact on the Club: The player’s ability to influence the club and teammates to win the game against elite teams. How impactful they were during their active time.

Who is the Best Striker Ever in Manchester United?

Now, coming to the final list of best Manchester United strikers of all time. We have listed the top 10 greatest Manchester United strikers who have been remarkable during their spell at Old Trafford.

10. Dwight Yorke (Trinidad & Tobago)

The Trinidadian Dwight Yorke came through the ranks at Aston Villa, where he spent most of his formative years playing for the Villans before making the move to Manchester United in 1998. Yorke had spent just under five years with the Red Devils, but still managed to attain the status of one of the best Manchester United strikers of all time.

A Dynamic, powerful and intelligent striker, Yorke was one of the finest finishers in the game at the time. His ability to read the game and make smart runs allowed him to create chances freely. He made 152 appearances for the club, scoring 66 goals and providing 32 assists as well. Yorke won three Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, among other honours.

9. Teddy Sheringham (England)

Another iconic striker who joined the club in the latter part of his career, the English icon Teddy Sheringham initially made a name for himself during his eight-year stint with Millwall between 1983-91. He later had a successful spell with Tottenham that prompted Manchester United to secure his services in 1997 after some incredible seasons with Tottenham Hotspur.

The former Spurs striker had scored 46 goals and provided 31 assists while playing a total of 153 appearances for Manchester United as a Red Devil. The striker won three Premier League titles, one English FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League while at the club. Despite enjoying his best years in North London, he remains one of the best Manchester United strikers of all time.

8. Mark Hughes (Wales)

Recently known more for his managerial career than his playing career, the Wrexham-born striker, Mark Hughes, was an important cog in Manchester United’s wheel during his playing days. The Welshman came through the youth ranks at the club and was integrated into the first team in 1980. He had an incredible six-year spell with the club and moved to Barcelona in 1986, before returning to United in 1988.

A key figure for Red Devils, Hughes made a total of 432 appearances for the Red Devils across two spells, scoring 154 goals and providing 18 assists as well. In terms of trophies, he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, among other honours, earning his spot among the greatest Man United strikers to ever play for the English giants.

7. Andy Cole (England)

Considering the rivalry between the two clubs at the time, it seems unreal that a player who came through Arsenal’s youth ranks became one of the best Manchester United strikers of all time. The England legend Andy Cole had relatively short spells with multiple clubs, including the Gunners, Bristol City and Newcastle United, before he signed for Man United in 1995.

Cole was one of the most prolific players at the time and managed to score a staggering 121 goals along with 45 assists while making a total of 275 appearances for the Red Devils. The striker was crowned the English Premier League champions five times, lifted the Champions League and two FA Cups during his time at Old Trafford.

6. Jack Rowley (England)

Famously known as ‘Gunner’ due to his thunderous left-footed strikes, Rowley was one of the most prolific strikers in the sport during his prime years. Having begun his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth, Rowley made the switch in 1937 and became one of the best Manchester United strikers in the 17 years that followed.

The legendary English striker made a staggering 424 appearances for the Red Devils, while finding the back of the net 211 times in an incredibly successful tenure. Jack won the First Division title and the FA Cup in his time with the club and was the centre-piece of the iconic ‘Busby Babes’ side under the legendary Sir Matt Busby.

5. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)

One of the most lethal and dominant strikers in the sport’s history, Dutch phenomenon Ruud van Nistelrooy plied his trade with the Red Devils between 2001-2006, having joined the club from PSV Eindhoven. He hit the ground running with 36 goals and eight assists in 49 appearances for the club in his first season and went on to score a total of 150 goals in 219 appearances.

The former Real Madrid man was part of some epic Golden Boot races with Thierry Henry in the early 2000s and won one Golden Boot as well as a Player of the Year award for his incredible 2002-03 season with 44 goals and eight assists in 52 games. His trophy haul was mediocre as compared to other legendary players on this list, as he won one Premier League and one FA Cup, among other honours.

4. Denis Law (Scotland)

One of the greatest Man united strikers, Denis Law, began his career at Huddersfield Town in 1956 and even had a spell with Manchester City before eventually moving to Old Trafford, joining city rivals United in 1962. The Scotsman was a class apart when it came to scoring goals. He then established himself as one of the best Manchester United strikers with his goal-scoring ability.

The Scottish icon has made 374 appearances for the Red Devils. He scored a stellar 221 goals and provided 11 assists. At Man United, he won two First Division titles, one FA Cup and one European Cup while representing the club for 11 years. He is widely regarded as one of the best-ever strikers to grace English football.

3. Sir Bobby Charlton

One of the most decorated and respected strikers in the history of the game, Sir Bobby Charlton came through the ranks at United’s youth academy before making his senior debut in 1956. He was also involved in the infamous Munich air disaster that killed a number of his teammates and club staff. Bobby Charlton is widely considered the greatest English footballer of all time.

The English icon played an instrumental role in reviving the club as it rose from the ashes of the disaster. He formed an incredible trio alongside George Best and Denis Law as they took United to great heights. He made 758 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 249 goals in the process. He won three First Division titles and one European Cup with the club, earning his undisputed spot among the best Manchester United strikers.

2. Eric Cantona (France)

The Frenchman was known for his immense personality and magnetic aura. Eric Cantona is arguably the most influential player in the club’s century-long rich history. However, unlike most other players on the list, Manchester United was Cantona’s last club in a successful career. He joined the Red Devils from Leeds United in 1992 and had a remarkable impact as a player.

Overall, Cantona made 184 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 81 goals and also provided 62 assists during his stay in England. He became one of the lethal goal scorers in English football and helped Manchester United win four Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his time with the club, and gave the fans several iconic moments as he cemented his spot as one of the greatest Man United strikers.

1. Wayne Rooney (England)

Who is the best striker ever in Manchester United? Well, the undisputed number one name on the list of the best Manchester United strikers is the club’s all-time top scorer – Wayne Rooney. He came through the youth ranks at Merseyside club Everton. Rooney became the youngest Premier League goal scorer at 16 and even scored a stunning goal against Arsenal. This caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and United, as they signed him for £27 million in 2004.

During his long spell as a Red Devil player, the England icon made 559 appearances for the club across all competitions. In terms of goal scoring, he made the club record 253 goals and provided 139 assists in total. Despite starting his career as a striker, he seamlessly transitioned into a midfielder or second striker in his later years. He won five Premier League titles, one Champions League and one FA Cup, among other honours.