ERIC CANTONA (1992-1997)
The Frenchman spent just five seasons in Manchester, and, therefore, had little chance of reaching the 200-club, like Fernandes and Giggs. But that he managed to net 82 goals and provide 66 assists in just 185 games makes him arguably United’s greatest creative player in the Premier League era.
When Eric arrived in November 1992, United were barely scoring and without a title in 26 years. What he unleashed, almost immediately, was not just his own personal creativity, but some kind of imaginative liberation for the entire team.
All the names included in this piece were brilliant creators, but none set up goals and scored them with the elan and balletic grace of Cantona. Yes, he did his job – score goals and set them up – but Eric gave much more than that.
He seemed to imbue United with a completely fresh sense of freedom and possibility.
DAVID BECKHAM (1992-2003)
More than 20 years after he left England, Beckham remains the Premier League’s most prolific free-kick taker. His crossing remains iconic; the goal standard for footballers all over the glove.
Close your eyes now and you can surely see him: arms spread wide, that right foot ready to unfurl the most gloriously controlled swish. He could find his team-mates from corners, free-kicks, from a standing start or on the run. From the byline, or deep inside his own half.
Look back on United’s greatest-ever season, the Treble campaign, and it’s no exaggeration to state that Beckham was United’s primary source of goals. While he didn’t get the assist for Sheringham or Solskjaer’s monumental finishes in the Nou Camp, his corners created the necessary chaos.
Another factor of his brilliance was the incredible, telepathic understanding Beckham and all of the Class of ’92 had with each other. It undoubtedly gave United an edge over other teams, in the same way the Iniesta-Messi-Xavi triumvirate later did for Barcelona.