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Manchester United’s All-Time Best Academy Graduates

By Anwesh

Posted on August 30, 2020

Manchester United FC are one of the biggest and richest clubs in the world and are the richest club in England. The Red Devils are known for making iconic and big-money signings but also have one of the best academy and youth setup in the world. United have always had academy graduates in the squad and the academy has had a huge hand in the club’s success.

In the current crop of United stars, Rashford, Pogba, Greenwood and Lingard have all graduated from the academy. Over the years, United have had a lot of stars coming from the academy, with the class of ’92 being the prime example.

Let us now have a look at the best players who have done well for Manchester United after graduating from their academy.

#3-PAUL SCHOLES –

Arguably one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and one of the most humble personalities to have come out of the academy is Paul Scholes. Scholes joined the academy when he was only 14-years old and left the club when he ultimately retired from football. Scholes was a soft-spoken and shy person, but whenever he stepped on the football pitch, he let his skills do the talking.

Scholes started his United career in 1993 and went on to become the second-highest appearance maker for the Red Devils. In a career that spanned across 19 seasons at Old Trafford, Scholes played a total of 718 games for the Red Devils, in which he also scored 155 goals. At the beginning of his career, Scholes played as an attacking midfielder, but Alex Ferguson moved him lower in the pitch.

Scholes played as a central midfielder and used his long-range of passing and shooting prowess to great effect. The midfielder ended his career as the most successful English footballer ever and one of the most decorated in the world. He has a mammoth 11 Premier Leagues, a couple of Champions Leagues and a Club World Cup also to his name!

#2-RYAN GIGGS –

One of the most underrated, underappreciated yet respected football figures in the world, Ryan Giggs is the personification of longevity and loyalty. Giggs was also signed by Alex Ferguson when the Welshman was merely 14 years old but went on to become the highest appearance-maker in the club’s history. Giggs served United for 23 years, starting his footballing career in 1991 and ending it in 2014.

The left-footed Welsh winger has terrorized opposition defences for years with his neck-breaking runs, especially in big games. Giggs almost always got the best out of himself in big games and was often Mr. Reliable for Alex Ferguson. He also found himself in the top of the Premier League most assists charts throughout its history and is also the Champions League’s third-highest assist provider.

Giggs ultimately retired when he was 41-years old having played his entire life for the Red Devils with a total of 34 major titles. Giggs was ever-present for United since the Premier League began till his retirement and played an important role in both of United’s treble-winning seasons. The Welshman won 13 Premier League titles, a couple of Champions Leagues, a Club World Cup and four FA Cups.

#1-BOBBY CHARLTON –

Arguably one of United’s greatest players ever and the club’s second-highest goalscorer in history, Sir Bobby Charlton is a living legend for the Red Devils. Sir Bobby joined the club when he was 15-year old and was brought in the first-team by the great Matt Busby. Charlton turned out to be the best United player in a long time and even won the World Cup with England in 1966.

Bobby Charlton played for United for 17 years, in which he appeared in w whopping 758 games. The attacking midfielder was a genuine goalscorer, despite playing in the midfield, and is also the second-highest goalscorer in the history of Manchester United. His greatness can also be determined by the fact that he won the 1966 Ballon d’Or and also came second in 1967 and 1968.

Charlton was one of the few players who survived the Munich disaster and went on to become an all-time great at Manchester United. In his time at United, Charlton won three First Division titles, an FA Cup and a European Cup.

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