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7 Best Manchester United Left Backs Of All-Time And Their Appearances

By Shawn

Posted on April 24, 2020

Manchester United has been widely known for its defence line-up over the years. The team has had phenomenal players during the course of history. Many of the world’s best left-backs have their roots in Manchester United. It is safe to say that United has been home to outstanding left-backs over the years. The legendary Tony Dunne is one of the left-backs who have been a part of Manchester United.

The left-back position at Manchester United has been filled in by many players over the years including Ryan Giggs and Lee Sharpe. However, Fabio holds the record for having the highest number of appearances as a left-back at the club.

The players on this list have had a massive impact at Old Trafford during their contract period. Few of the names on this list are also listed under United’s top 10 appearance makers. They have not only been essential in preventing the opposition from scoring but have also scored goals for the club.

The best left-backs of Manchester United have been mentioned below in the descending order of their rating based on the impact and ability they possess.

LEE ANDREW MARTIN

Lee Martin made his debut at United during the 1987/88 season where he played as a left-back. He is most famously known for his goal against Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup finals.

Martin scored the goal and gave Sir Alex Ferguson his first trophy at Old Trafford. He may not have scored a lot of goals but has done justice to his role of being a left-back at Manchester United. Martin bid farewell to Manchester United in 1994 after holding the position of left-back for 8 years.

LEE ANDREW MARTIN’s Career at MU

Cup	Appearances	Goals
League Division One	72	1
FA Cup	14	1
League Cup	10	0
Cup Winners Cup	8	0
European Cup	2	0
Super Cup	1	0

GABRIEL OMAR HEINZE

Gabriel Heinze joined the club in the year 2004 and was one of the fans’ favourites for a long time. He was signed from Paris Saint-Germain and debuted against Bolton Wanderers in the same year. Heinze was a regular member of the playing 11 until when Patrice Evra replaced him as the left-back.

He made a total of 83 appearances and scored 3 goals in his career at Old Trafford. Heinze tried to force his move to Liverpool which caused the fans to dislike him and he eventually left for Real Madrid in the year 2007.

GABRIEL OMAR HEINZE’s Career at MU

Cup Name	Appearances	Goals
Premier League	52	1
EuropeanCup	17	2
FACup	10	1
LeagueCup	4	0

ARTHUR RICHARD ALBISTON

Arthur Richard Albiston is one of the most popular players of Manchester United who also happens to be one of the best left-backs in the club’s history.

Albiston was signed in the year 1972 but made his official debut for the club two years later. During his years at the club, Albiston made 485 appearances and ranks number 10 on highest appearances made by any player at Manchester United.

Albiston’s spell at United ended in the year 1988 when he was transferred to West Bromwich Albion. He was a part of the squad that went on to win three FA Cup medals in 1977, 1983 and 1985.

ARTHUR RICHARD ALBISTON’s Career at MU

Cup name	Appearances	Goals
League Division One	377	6
League Cup	40	1
FA Cup	36	0
UEFA Cup	15	0
Cup Winners Cup	12	0
League Division Two	2	0

ANTHONY PETER DUNNE (TONY DUNNE)

Tony Dunne, born in Dublin, Ireland is one of the most influential left-backs in the history of Manchester United. Dunne was signed from Shelbourne in the year 1960 and debuted against Burnley in the same year. He is ranked 7th on Manchester United’s all-time appearance list with 535 appearances over the course of his contract at the club.

The Irishman spent 13 years at the club and mainly held the position of being a left-back. Dunne was a part of the squad that won the European Cup at Wembley in the year 1968. He is much celebrated as he also was a part of the team that won FA Cup winners trophy in the year 1963.

ANTHONY PETER DUNNE’s Career at MU

Cup Name	Appearances	Goals
League Division One	414	2
FA Cup	55	0
European Cup	23	0
League Cup	21	0
UEFA Cup	11	0
Cup Winners Cup	6	0

ROGER WILLIAM BYRNE

Roger William Byrne is one of the most celebrated left-backs in the club’s history. Byrne, despite being a left-back scored a total of 20 goals which is a commendable feat for a player in that position. He made a total of 280 appearances for Manchester United.

He went on to be the club’s captain between the years 1955 and 1958. However, his career came to an end after the Munich air disaster in the year 1958 where he was killed. Byrne played in different positions before settling for being a left-back.

ROGER WILLIAM BYRNE’s career at MU

Cup Name	Appearances	Goals
League Division One	245	17
FA Cup	18	2
European Cup	14	0
Charity Shield	3	1

PATRICE LATYR EVRA

Patrice Evra is one of the most loved Manchester United defenders of all time. He went on to become one of the best left-backs in the world during his time at the club.

Evra was signed from Monaco in the year 2005 and debuted against Manchester City in 2006. During his stay at the club, Evra played a total of 379 games before leaving the club in 2014. He was a part of many legendary united squads, including the ones that won five Premier League titles and also won the Champions League in the year 2008.

PATRICE LATYR EVRA’s Carrer at MU

Cup Name	Appearances	Goals
Premiership	273	7
European Cup	65	2
FA Cup	20	0
League Cup	11	1
UEFA Cup	2	0

DENIS JOSEPH IRWIN

Denis Irwin is hands-down the best left-back to have ever joined Manchester United. He was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in the year 1990 and went on to make a 12-year career at Old Trafford. Irwin made a total of 529 appearances during his stay at the club putting him 8th on the list of United’s all-time appearances.

Irwin was the left-back for Manchester United throughout the treble-winning season of 1999. He was a part of the squad that won 7 premier league titles, 3 FA Cups and one Champions League title. Irwin was transferred to the Wolves in the year 2002. He has scored a total of 33 goals in his entire career at Manchester United.

DENIS JOSEPH IRWIN’s Career at MU