Selecting a greatest-ever list is always difficult, opinions and certain levels of bias always lead to fierce debates, but someone has to do it. Here are my top 3 United full-backs. The list of players that came close is too long to even write about. It’s also worth noting the order of this list is in no way based on any specific ranking
1. Gary Neville (1992-2011)
It’s hard to make a list of greatest United players, no matter what position, without considering the former United and England right back. He made his senior debut for the club against Torpedo Moscow in September 1992 and from then on went from strength to strength, winning everything he possibly could with United and establishing himself as England’s first choice right back. Neville was appointed captain of the club in 2005, he then spent a further 6 successful years at the club before retiring. When he retired he had made the second highest most appearances for the Red Devils and won 8 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, a Champions League, an Intercontinental Cup, a FIFA World Club Cup, 2 League Cups and 3 Community Shield’s. He made 400 appearances for the club, scoring 5 goals.
2. Denis Irwin (1990-2002)
Comfortable defending on both flanks, and an accomplished dead-ball specialist the Irish full back is entirely deserving of his place on this list. Signed for £625,000 from rival team Leeds United, he quickly became one of the first names on the team sheet for Sir Alex. Referred to by Sir Alex himself as “pound for pound his greatest signing” he was still the Scot’s first choice left back when he was in his late thirties. He was regarded so highly in-fact by the United hierarchy that he was awarded the captaincy for his final game for Manchester United at Old Trafford against Charlton Athletic. During his time in Manchester he won 7 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, a League Cup, a Champions League, a Cup Winners Cup, a European Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and 4 Charity Shields. He made 368 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals in the process.
3. Johnny Carey (1936-1953)
While he is probably the least known member of this list, he is no less deserving of a place than any of the others. One of United’s wartime players he was one of a few not to not only play during the war but also serve in the war and come back to lead United once it was over.
Signed for a then Irish record of £250 he helped United gain promotion to the First Division in just his first season. He carried on playing football for United till 1943; he also made guest appearances for other clubs during the war. In 1943 he was forced to stop playing football as he left to join the war to serve in Italy and the Middle East. On his return to Manchester he was awarded the honour of being the first post-wartime Manchester United captain. He captained United to FA Cup victory in 1948. During his time with the Devils he made 344 appearances, scoring 17 goals. He won an FA Cup, a First Division title and a Charity Shield. The Former United captain unfortunately passed away on 22nd August 1995, aged 76.
Honourable Mentions: Patrice Evra, Arthur Albiston, Tony Dunne and Roger Byrne
