- Ranking the best Manchester United number 10’s
- Iconic Reds have worn the famous shirt
- Wayne Rooney features
Manchester United have never been short of greatness, largely because of the attackers who made the number 10 shirt their own. Taking on the number 10 role at Old Trafford means embracing a relentless expectation to score.
While many top talents have showcased their presence at the club, only a few have become great. A number’s value depends on the player wearing it, and that is how it gained its importance.
From the Busby Babes to Sir Alex Ferguson’s prominent signings, the number has defined the club. Teddy Sheringham drove the climax of the treble-winning 1998/99 campaign, and his immense contribution must be appreciated. From his sensational debut to his clutch moments, Marcus Rashford’s presence had everything a number 10 needed.
With that said, Read Man Utd have ranked the very best number 10’s who caused havoc among opposition defenders while wearing the Red of Manchester.
5. Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Ruud Van Nistelrooy was the talisman who donned United’s number 10 after the millennium. Sir Alex Ferguson’s brilliant buy from PSV Eindhoven worked wonders, with the iconic former manager getting in touch with the Eredivisie giants for a year before bringing him to Old Trafford.
The Dutch frontman’s adaptation to the English game was very quick, leaving his mark during his glorious spell at the Theatre of Dreams. The lethal striker scored 100 goals in just three seasons.
Van Nistelrooy is the club’s second-highest European goalscorer with 38 goals. He sits just one behind Wayne Rooney, and before his move to Real Madrid in 2006, he had 150 goals in 219 appearances.
Ruud van Nistelrooy at Manchester United
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 150 | 95 | 14 |
| Champions League | 43 | 35 | 6 |
| FA Cup | 14 | 12 | 4 |
| League Cup | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Champions League Qualifying | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Community Shield | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 219 | 150 | 27 |
4. Mark Hughes
A perfect story of dreams is that of Mark Hughes and Manchester United. Hughes’ love affair with the club began at the age of 14, becoming one of the side’s greatest-ever goalscorers. One of the very few icons who had two spells at the club, and both were successful.
Did you know: Mark Hughes was the first player in history to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award twice (1989 and 1991)
During the Welshman’s time as a Red Devil, he scored 163 goals in 467 appearances, and he was a key player in Ferguson’s early years. His brace in the 1990 FA Cup final against Crystal Palace gave Ferguson his first trophy, and in 1992, his goalscoring prowess helped the side win its first league title in 26 years.
Mark Hughes for Manchester United
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
| First Division (Pre-1992) | 227 | 82 |
| Premier League | 118 | 35 |
| FA Cup | 46 | 16 |
| League Cup | 43 | 16 |
| UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup | 17 | 9 |
| UEFA Cup / Champions League | 14 | 2 |
| Community Shield | 2 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 467 | 163 |
3. Denis Law
Denis Law’s domination in front of the goal was one of a kind. He rose as one of the few number 10s at United to win the Ballon d’Or, filling his 13-year reign with goals and trophies.
‘The King took to his throne and is the only United legend with two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford. All because of his 237 goals in 404 appearances.
Law’s signature celebration was the arm in the air, hand clutching his sleeve, finger pointing at the sky. Thousands of boys would imitate this move in playgrounds across the country. He held the record for the most FA Cup goals (41) until it was broken in 1996.
George Best described him as “Up there with the all-time greats. Electric. As a bloke and as a pal he’s different class.”
2. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney‘s transition from number 8 to 10 aligned exactly with Manchester United’s transformation. Premier League dominance followed as the Englishman became one of the constants. In his time, he was more than a number 10, adapting to various positions for the team’s betterment.
Goals became his weekly habit, and in 2009, ‘Wazza’ went on a five-game consecutive scoring streak. The following season, he won the PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year awards.
From Ferguson to Jose Mourinho, Rooney remained irreplaceable. By the end of his 13-year spell, he etched his name in history as the Red Devils’ top scorer with 253 goals.
Wayne Rooney for Manchester United
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 393 | 183 | 93 |
| Champions League | 85 | 30 | 21 |
| FA Cup | 40 | 22 | 10 |
| League Cup | 24 | 7 | 4 |
| Europa League | 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Champions League Qualifying | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Community Shield | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 559 | 253 | 135 |
1. Bobby Charlton
The best of the lot is Sir Bobby Charlton, and he is the perfect blueprint for Manchester United’s number 10. The elegance he brought to the game is why he is so formidable in front of goal.
The Englishman joined Sir Matt Busby as a youngster in 1953 and became a pro the following year. In his senior years, he scored 249 goals in 758 appearances.
From his debut to the first European Cup, he built his history with goals. Nothing can be more appreciated than including him in the Holy Trinity. Even while carrying an injury, he delivered a memorable brace in a 4–2 win, displaying the forward’s mentality.
Bobby Charlton for Manchester United
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
| First Division | 606 | 199 |
| FA Cup | 78 | 19 |
| League Cup | 24 | 7 |
| European Cup | 28 | 10 |
| Fairs Cup / UEFA Cup | 11 | 8 |
| Cup Winners’ Cup | 6 | 4 |
| Intercontinental Cup | 2 | 0 |
| Charity Shield | 3 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 758 | 249 |
