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5 Best Left Wingers Of Manchester United All-Time

Winger is a term used for the position on the extreme right and left of the field. However, when we refer to Manchester United wingers, they are all over the field with their exuberant class and skill. The club has had some of the most famous players in these positions. Football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham have occupied the position of wingers at the club.

Manchester United has had a very rich legacy of wingers over the years. They have had the finest in the game that showcased their talent on the field. If being a winger was an art, these Manchester United left-wingers are the best artists. The best Manchester United left-wingers have been compiled based on their talent, impact and inherent abilities.

Featuring All-Time 5 Best Left-Wingers at Manchester United

  1. Luis Carlos Almeida (NANI)

Nani joined Manchester United in the year 2007 where he took a transfer from his previous club – Sporting Lisbon. He played his debut match for the club in the same year against Reading Gallas in the FA Cup. Nani has been a delight to watch on-field owing to his aggression and commitment to his position. He has managed to fill in the gap after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Brazilian always wanted to be in the same bracket as CR7 and has been pushing his limits for the same.

Nani is best known for his acrobatic ability which may just prove that he is a better acrobat than his predecessor. The Brazilian left-winger has scored some exceptional goals for the club which will always be remembered by the fans at Old Trafford. He has been notorious on the field as he does manage to infuriate his opponents as well as his teammates. Nevertheless, he makes up with his excellent goal-scoring prowess and presence in the game.

The Brazilian left-winger has always wanted to be the best footballer in the world and that has helped him improve his game on the field. Nani has played a total of 230 matches for Manchester United and scored 41 goals during his stay at the club. He was a part of the club for a brief period of seven years and bid farewell to Old Trafford in the year 2015. The young and talented left-winger took a transfer to Fenerbache to fulfil his dream of being the best footballer. He will always be remembered as a worthy successor of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cup Name Appearances Goals
Premiership 147 26
European Cup 49 4
FA Cup 13 4
League Cup 11 4
Charity Shield 5 3

 

  1. Jesper Olsen

Jesper Olsen joined Manchester United in the year 1984 and was signed from Ajax for a minimum transfer fee. He played his debut match for the club in the same year against Watford. Olsen was a part of Ron Atkinson’s legendary mid-80’s squad which won many titles. He was crucial in almost of the wins and was a key part in United’s cup success. The left-winger was a delight to watch during his peak years at the club.

Olsen is best known for his dribbling and passing skills as he had absolute control over the ball. His accurate passes from outside the box were a treat to the eyes of the United supporters. He was an excellent crosser who targeted his man accurately. Olsen has been crucial in creating wonderful chances for the strikers to score against the opponents.  He is one of the best-left wingers that Manchester United has ever had in the history of the game.

Jesper Olsen played a total of 176 matches for the Red Devils and scored 24 goals during his stay. The Denmark international took a transfer to Bordeaux in the year 1988. He had a relatively short career at Old Trafford but managed to make the best out of it. He will always be remembered for his performance as a winger with excellent dribbling skills. His crosses from outside the box have always been a delight to watch. Olsen was a perfect winger in all sense and managed to become an integral part of Ron Atkinson’s squad.

Cup Name Appearances Goals
League Division One 139 21
FA Cup 16 2
League Cup 13 1
UEFA Cup 7 0
Charity Shield 1 0

 

  1. Lee Stuart Sharpe

Lee Sharpe was signed from Torquay United in the year 1988 for a minimum transfer fee. He played his debut match for Manchester United in the same year against West Ham United in the League Division One cup. The English national was a delight to watch during his early years at the club. He became a fan favourite owing to his exuberant goal celebrations.

“The Sharpey Shuffle” was his infamous goal celebration which went viral among the supporters of Manchester United. He was much more than the celebration as he displayed his talent on the field.

Sharpe was also a part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s first great United squad. Lee Sharpe managed to be in the good books of Sir Alex and was a key part of his squad till the end of his United career. The left-winger won three titles and was an important asset to the club.

Lee Sharpe is best known for his passing abilities and quick pace. He played a total of 263 matches for the club and scored 36 goals during his stay. Sharpe was a Red Devil for almost 10 years and took a transfer to Leeds United in the year 1996. He managed to make an impact in the minds of the fans and set the bar high for all left-wingers to follow. Sharpe was a precursor to Ryan Giggs who was to become a left-winger after the departure of Sharpe.

Cup Name Appearances Goals
League 193 21
FA Cup 29 3
League Cup 23 9
Cup Winners Cup 8 1
European Cup 7 2

 

  1. Ryan Joseph Giggs

Ryan Giggs was signed as a trainee for Manchester United in the year 1990. Owing to his excellent performance, he was signed as a professional within 4 months and played his debut match for the club in 1991. His debut match was against Everton in the League Division One cup. The Welshman has always been a fan favourite owing to his loyalty to the club. His performance as a left-winger has been consistent for the entire tenure of his career.

Giggs was an integral part of the team and one of the best signings of Sir Alex Ferguson. He was crucial in providing numerous assists which led to the huge success of the club. Ryan Giggs possessed sheer class and quality which he displayed on the field. His game only seemed to improve over the years and there was no stopping him. The Welshman was an out-and-out winger who was brilliant with the ball. He has had so many iconic moments at the club which will be remembered by the generations to come.

Ryan Giggs played a total of 963 matches and scored 168 goals during his stay at the club. He holds the record of having the highest number of appearances by any player for Manchester United. The Welshman had a long career at Old Trafford and he only managed to become better with every game he played. He has been a part of Manchester United through the most iconic years of the club and has played an important role in every match. Giggs announced his retirement from the game in 2014 and had become the most decorated Red Devil in the history of Manchester United. He was and is one of the best wingers in the history of football.

Cup Name Appearances Goals
Premiership 632 109
European Cup 151 29
FA Cup 74 12
League Cup 41 12
Charity Shield 14 1

Also Read – Manchester United’s All-Time 11

  1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club through a transfer from Sporting Lisbon in the year 2003. He played his debut match for the club in the same year against Bolton Wanderers. Manchester United won the match and the rest of Ronaldo’s career is history. He is not a typical left-winger but is a wide forward who is more likely to score goals. The player went on to become a legend during his stay at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo is best known for his finishing skills clubbed with dazzling skills that are unmatched. He is the perfect footballer with the perfect combination of body strength, natural speed, technical skills and finishing abilities. The Portugal winger may just be the best winger the club will ever see in the foreseeable future. He has many accolades to his name and has scored 42 goals in one season. Ronaldo is very versatile when it comes to positioning as he is strong footed. Ronaldo left a huge impact in the minds and hearts of the Red Devil fans as he was leading the team from the front. He was not only an amazing goal scorer but also gave great assists for others to score. His gameplay is often referred to as “Legendary” and he has done justice to the Number 7 jersey.

Cristiano Ronaldo played a total of 292 matches and scored 118 goals during his stay at the club. He went on to become a household name alongside Lionel Messi due to his excellent performance at Manchester United. Under the wings of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo matured into the best football player in the world. He accepted the transfer offer from Real Madrid and bid farewell to Old Trafford in the year2009. This was one of the most disappointing day in the history of the club when CR7 left. He will always be loved by the fans of Manchester United as he was an integral part of the team. Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the best-left winger United had but also is one of the best football players in the world.

Cup Name Appearances Goals
Premiership 196 84
European Cup 55 16
FA Cup 26 13
League Cup 12 4
Charity Shield 1 0

Also Read – All-Time Best Strikers at Manchester United

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