3) Ryan Giggs
A joy to watch for so long, Ryan Giggs gave an incredible 24 years of service to the Man Utd first-team, playing 963 games in all competitions. The Welshman started out as a pacey, tricky winger who scored some stunning solo goals, before adapting his game later in his career to shine in a more central position, showing great tactical intelligence to become more of a playmaker and remain a valuable member of the team right until he retired in 2014.
2) Paul Scholes
This was not easy, and on pure talent alone Paul Scholes would surely top this list, but in terms of big-game impact and leadership on the pitch, it had to be Roy Keane in first place. Scholes, however, was a majestic player and one of the most technically gifted English footballers of all time. The former playmaker did the business for the Red Devils in 20 years in their first-team, and is the scorer of some of the all-time Premier League belters, with memorable volleys against Bradford and Aston Villa particular highlights from a great career.
1) Roy Keane
The captain’s captain, Roy Keane was the best possible on-pitch mouthpiece Ferguson could have wished for. The Irishman demanded perfection from all around him and never let success get to his head, coming back more and more determined all the time and picking up quite the trophy haul to show for it. But it would be an insult to Keane to suggest he’s only top for his battling qualities, as at his peak he was a superb all-round footballer as well, with his passing and intelligence on the ball making him a hugely important part of how United played. Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard and others were all great, but there will never be another quite like Keane.