- Manchester United’s greatest number 9’s ranked
- Some all-time greats have donned the shirt
- Bobby Charlton and Andy Cole feature
Manchester United demands one thing above all: performance at the highest level. The club builds its philosophy around attacking play, placing the weight of Old Trafford firmly on its forwards.
Over the decades, United’s number 9s have embodied different shades of versatility. Relentless poachers, complete forwards, and second strikers have set foot for the Red Devils.
One thing remains constant: wearing the shirt pushes every player to the edge of expectation. The unmatchable charisma of Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the last distinct impact a number 9 has had at the club.
With that said, Read Man Utd have assessed and ranked the best United players who gave the number its meaning, not its value.
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9. Louis Saha
The Frenchman joined Manchester United from Fulham in January 2004 for around £12.8m. Louis Saha had to make an impression in an attack that possessed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
With so much firepower available, Saha was often seen as a rotational option. He made most of his appearances from the bench, scoring 42 goals.
Saha’s game time was also cut short due to injuries, but Rooney praised the underrated attacker as a “fantastic player.” Being part of this era meant trophies were abundant, and in his 4-year stay, he won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, and a League Cup.
| Louis Saha at Manchester United | Statistic |
| Appearances | 124 |
| Goals | 42 |
| Assists | 19 |
| Trophies | Champions League, Premier League 2x, League Cup |
8. Stuart Pearson
Stuart Pearson was one of those who enjoyed iconic status at the club. The Englishman’s famous side-buns earned him the nickname ‘Pancho’, and he was a post-war phenomenon who played for the Red Devils in the Second Division.
At United, he did the most remarkable thing, preventing Liverpool from winning the treble. However, it was his goal that snatched the Merseysiders’ treble-winning dream in a 2-1 win in the 1977 FA Cup final, a result Sir Alex Ferguson would be very thankful for.
Of his 66 goals, none quite matched that one. Additionally, he was instrumental in helping the side’s promotion to the first division, scoring 17 goals.
| Stuart Pearson at Manchester United | Statistic |
| Appearances | 180 |
| Goals | 66 |
| Trophies | FA Cup, Community Shield |
7. Frank Stapleton
The Irishman gave Manchester United reasons to cheer and jeer. Before moving to Old Trafford, Frank Stapleton was part of the Arsenal side that defeated United 3-2 in the 1979 FA Cup final, and he even scored the second goal in that game.
In 1981, he moved to the North West. And this time, within two years, he would help United win England’s most prestigious domestic cup.
At the club for 6 years, he netted 70 times in 258 appearances. Moreover, he was part of the 83/84 PFA Team of the Year.
| Frank Stapleton | Statistic |
| Appearances | 288 |
| Goals | 78 |
| Trophies | FA Cup 2x, Community Shield |
6. Brian McClair
Brian McClair was one of the most selfless number 9s in United history. After the great George Best, he was the first player to score more than 20 league goals.
League success, unfortunately, came very late in his career. His crucial goals in the previous rounds against Oldham (semi-final replay), Sheffield United, and Newcastle United helped the side reach the 1990 FA Cup final, which they won 1-0.
Across 471 appearances, the Scotsman adapted his role to suit the likes of Mark Hughes and Eric Cantona, scoring 127 goals along the way.
| Brian McClair at Manchester United | Statistic |
| Appearances | 471 |
| Goals | 127 |
| Assists | 56* |
| Trophies | Premier League 4x, UEFA Supercup, UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup, FA Cup 2x, League Cup, Community Shield 5x |
5. Dimitar Berbatov
From Bulgaria to Manchester, Dimitar Berbatov was a first-touch specialist. He broke all the number 9 rules, replacing them with his composure and ability to hold play in the final third.
Berbatov’s trademark move was to receive the ball, draw in Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, and seamlessly bring them into play to finish the counterattack. The 2010/11 season was his peak, grabbing the Premier League golden boot, scoring 20 goals.
Did you know: Dimitar Berbatov became the first Manchester United player in 64 years to score a hat-trick against Liverpool in September 2010.
In that campaign, he scored a hat-trick against Liverpool, which made him the first United player to do so in this fixture in 64 years. He was a rare gem who did not take much headlines because of the star-studded United frontline.
| Dimitar Berbatov at Manchester United | Statistic |
| Appearances | 149 |
| Goals | 56 |
| Assists | 27 |
| Trophies | Premier League 2x, FIFA Club World Cup, League Cup, Community Shield 2x |
4. Andy Cole
Andy Cole was a surprise entry to the club from Newcastle United in January 1995, a time when United had four strikers. In his debut season, the Englishman produced a standout moment by scoring five goals in a 9–0 thrashing of Ipswich Town, before following it up with an 11-goal campaign the next year.
While title success did come in 1996/97, his season was disrupted by an injury. Later, due to his continuous absence, Dwight Yorke came in. While many saw this as the end of his career, something changed.
The two partnered scored 35 goals in the league between them. These numbers helped the side become the first English team to win the treble in the 98/99 season. Cole’s pace and predatory instincts were vital for the success.
| Andy Cole at Manchester United | Statistic |
| Appearances | 275 |
| Goals | 121 |
| Assists | 44 |
| Trophies | Champions League, Premier League 5x, FA Cup 2x, Community Shield 2x |
3. Jack Rowley
Jack Rowley was the benchmark for the number. The Englishman joined the club in 1937, but the Second World War stole a fair share of his career; he still delivered 211 goals for the club.
He was famously known for his left foot and was part of Sir Matt Busby’s first great side in the late 1940s. In his first season, he helped the side United to a Second Division runners-up spot.
The 1948 FA Cup was also added as a feature to his hat, scoring a brace in a 4-2 final victory over Blackpool. Finally, in 1952, his 30 goals were instrumental in taking United to their first First Division title after 41years.
| Jack Rowley at Manchester United | Statistic |
| Appearances | 424 |
| Goals | 211 |
| Trophies | Community Shield |
2. Tommy Taylor
The Englishman was considered one of the greatest centre-forwards in the club’s history. Tommy Taylor’s majestic presence made him stand out, and he scored 20 goals in five consecutive seasons.
Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano dubbed him ‘Magnifico’. In April 1956, he was part of the division’s youngest squad to win the top-flight title.
Taylor scored a decisive goal against Blackpool that won United the title. Unfortunately, on 6th February 1958, he, along with seven of his teammates, lost his life in the Munich air crash. During his time, he scored 131 goals in 191 appearances.
| Tommy Taylor at Manchester United | Statistic |
| Appearances | 191 |
| Goals | 131 |
| Trophies | First Division 2x, Community Shield |
1. Sir Bobby Charlton
Unmatched aura is what Bobby had. Despite the trauma he experienced at the air crash in 1958, he went on to become the greatest player to represent the club. It was like he played his career as a tribute to his fallen colleagues.
From his debut brace at the age of 18 against Charlton Athletic to helping the side win the 1968 European final, he has seen it all at the club. He played a key role in guiding the side to league titles in 1965 and 1967.
Charlton’s 20-year contribution to the club was rewarded with the statue as part of the Holy Trinity and a stand at Old Trafford. Whatever happens, he will always be the finest attacker in the club’s elusive history.
| Bobby Charlton at Manchester United | Statistic |
| Appearances | 758 |
| Goals | 249 |
| Trophies | European Champions’ Cup, First Division 2x, FA Cup, Community Shield 2x |
