Manchester United Top 5 Defenders of All Time
The Manchester United team is a favorite of football fans and one of the most loved in the world. Here we are going to discuss Manchester United Top 5 Defenders of All Time. Manchester United was unable to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
Manchester United Football Club is a professional football club based in England, which competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football. Nicknamed “the Red Devils”, the club was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878 but changed its name to Manchester United in 1902.
Manchester United FC Facts
Full name: Manchester United Football Club
Nickname: The Red Devils
Managed by: Manchester United plc
Founded: 1878; 144 years ago, as Newton Heath LYR F.C.
Federation: 1902; 120 years ago, as Manchester United F.C.
Head coach: Ralf Rangnick (interim)
Captain: Harry Maguire (Captain)
Most caps: Ryan Giggs 963
Top scorer: Wayne Rooney 253
World Ranking: #20
Stadium: Old Trafford
Manchester United Top 5 Defenders of All Time
In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 Top Defenders of Manchester United.
5. Gary Pallister (1989 -1998)
Gary Andrew Pallister, an ex-professional footballer from England and expert on sports TV, is a former English professional footballer. He was a defender between 1984 and 2001. His nine-year stint with Manchester United (1989 to 1998) is his best-known moment as a player.
Gary Pallister, along with Steve Bruce, was one half of the greatest defensive pair of the ’90s.
United would win the Premiership three times with Pallister as their defenseman. They also won the European Cup Winners Cup and Super Cup in 1991 and 1992. The FA Cup three times was won by United in 1990, 1994, and 1996. Pallister also won the double twice and the 1992 League Cup.
Pallister was awarded the PFA Player Of The Year award in 1992. His club form also saw him play 22 times for England.
Player Summary:
- Name: Gary Andrew Pallister
- Date of Birth: 30 Jun 1965
- Age: 57 years
- Joined United: 29 Aug 1989
- Unite Debut: 30 Aug 1989 v Norwich (H) League
- Left United: 1 Jul 1998
- Total Goals: 15
- Appearances: 437
- Position: Defender
4. Steve Bruce (1987 – 1996)
Stephen Roger Bruce, an English professional football coach, is a former player who was a center-back. He is currently the manager at West Bromwich Albion, an EFL Championship club.
He was born in Corbridge, Northumberland. Although he was a promising school player, he was turned down by many professional clubs.
Steve Bruce is third on the list. He is one of the greatest players that has never been capped by England.
Bruce became the undisputed leader of United’s defense after he signed for United from Norwich for $825,000. The foundation of the ’90s team was laid by his association with Gary Pallister.
The team would dominate English football in 1990s England, with Bruce winning three Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
Player Summary:
- Name: Stephen Roger Bruce
- Date of Birth: 31 Dec 1960
- Age: 61 years
- Joined United: 17 Dec 1987
- Unite Debut: 19 Dec 1987 v Portsmouth (A) League
- Left United: 31 May 1996
- Total Goals: 51
- Appearances: 414
- Position: Defender
3. Martin Buchan (1972 – 1983)
Martin McLean Buchan, a former international soccer player from Scotland, is Martin McLean Buchan. He was a center-back for Oldham Athletic, Manchester United, and Aberdeen.
Between 1971 and 1978, he also played 34 internationals in Scotland, including two World Cups. Buchan would manage Burnley later.
Martin Buchan, the club’s 1970 record signing is fourth on the list. Buchan was the Red Devils’ captain for six years. He stayed with the club following relegation, winning the second division title in 1974-1975 and the FA Cup in 1977.
This is truly a legend in the club.
Player Summary:
- Name: Martin McLean Buchan
- Date of Birth: 6 Mar 1949
- Age: 73 years
- Joined United: 28 Feb 1972
- Unite Debut: 4 Mar 1972 v Tottenham (A) League
- Left United: 1 Aug 1983
- Total Goals: 4
- Appearances: 456
- Position: Defender
2. Rio Ferdinand (2002 – 2014)
Rio Gavin Ferdinand OBE (English former professional footballer) is a television commentator at BT Sport. Between 1997 and 2011, he was a part of three FIFA World Cup squads and played 81 matches for England.
Rio became the most valuable player in Britain, and the most expensive defender in the world when he arrived at Manchester in 2002. Ferdinand has received a number of awards for the club since that time.
Ferdinand has won five Premier League titles and two league cups. Now it seems that the investment was worthwhile.
Rio also appeared as part of five Premier League Team Of The Year in 2007 and the FIFA Pro World XI from 2007 to 08.
Player Summary:
- Name: Rio Gavin Ferdinand
- Date of Birth: November 7, 1978
- Age: 43 years
- Joined United: 22 Jul 2002
- Unite Debut: 28 Aug 2002 v Zalaegerszeg (H)
- Left United: 14 Sep 2014
- Total Goals: 8
- Appearances: 455
- Position: Defender
1. Bill Foulkes (1950 – 1970)
William Anthony Foulkes, an English footballer, was a former player for Manchester United in the Busby Babes team of the 1950s as well as in the 1960s. He preferred the position of center back.
Bill Foulkes is a survivor of the Munich air disaster and a long-standing United supporter. He is also a true United legend.
England was a passing country for Bruce. Foulkes was a regular starter for United but made only one appearance for his nation.
He made up the difference by leading United to four First Division medals in 1956-57, ’65, ’67, and back at Wembley. The 1963 FA Cup was added to his collection. Foulkes was nearing the end of his career, and this was perhaps his most notable achievement. Foulkes won the game-winning goal in the 1968 European Cup semifinal.
Real Madrid was unable to stop United. They would beat Benfica at Wembley.
It was a fitting way to end a long and successful career.
Player Summary:
- Name: William Anthony Foulkes
- Date of Birth: 5 Jan 1932
- Age: Died November 25, 2013
- Joined United: 1 Mar 1950
- Unite Debut: 13 Dec 1952 v Liverpool (A) League
- Left United: 1 Jun 1970
- Total Goals: 9
- Appearances: 688
- Position: Defender
Summary
This article deals with Manchester United Top 5 Defenders of All Time. Who is your favorite Manchester United Defenders of all time?
Read More: Manchester United Top 5 Goal Scorers of All Time
