After being placed at a disappointing 6th position in the Premier League’s final rankings in 2018 – 19, Man Utd has gradually started climbing back up again. They ended up at the 3rd position after the next season of 2019 -20 was over, and last season, they came up a step further to the 2nd position, leaving behind 2019 – 20 League champions Liverpool by five points.
As Man U fans eagerly await to see if the Red Devils can finally close the last elusive gap this season after eight long years, now is the perfect time to take a look back at some of the team’s most iconic players in the last few generations.
David Beckham’s Dream Run: 1995 – 2003
Manchester United expressed their eagerness to sell off David Beckham to Barcelona in 2003, but Beckham instead joined Real Madrid in that same year. Unfortunately, Beckham never really managed to find his rhythm again after that. Controversial as the whole situation might have been for fans of both Beckham and Man Utd, we would rather focus on the dream run that brings so many beautiful memories to mind.
With the right winger’s help, Manchester United FC managed to win six Premier League titles (1995 – 96, 1996 – 97, 1998 – 99, 1999 – 2000, 2000 – 2001, and 2002 – 2003), two FA Cup Titles (1995 – 96 & 1998 – 99), and the UEFA Champions League 1998 – 99. If you are a Manchester United FC fan, then you know this was by far the best time for the Red Devils in recent history.
Even Manchester United’s success under powerhouses like Christiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney could not match the legacy that Beckham left behind. Give your nostalgia a real boost by putting on a retro Man Utd shirt from the 1995 – 96 season, back when Beckham made his first big mark by helping Man U win both the FA Cup and the Premier league of the season. Fans can find the entire range in this collection of Man Utd retro shirts from an era gone by. You’ll be able to find Manchester United Football shirts from pretty much all popular MU seasons available there, so take your pick.
Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Manchester United (2003)
Christiano Ronaldo was the first Portuguese footballer to have ever joined the Red Devils, 18 years ago in August 2003. David Beckham had just left a big gap in the team that could not be filled by just anyone, but Man Utd took a chance with the prodigy, and it paid off big time.
The 5-time Ballon d’Or winning legend wasn’t born yet but during his time in England, he slowly matured into his role. Soon after, Ronaldo helped Manchester United win the FA Cup (2003 – 04), three Premier Leagues (2006 – 07, 2007 – 08, and 2008 – 09) on a row, and the Champions League in 2008. Even after Ronaldo left Manchester United, he was often heard stating his love for the football club and the crowd at Old Trafford.
The Greatest: Ryan Giggs (1990 – 2014)
If you are a fan of the Red Devils, then you probably knew that no player in the recent history of Manchester United has ever been more dedicated to their club than Giggs. The man has spent the entirety of his senior club career holding the midfield together for Manchester United FC as a left-winger for almost 25 years. The iconic Red Devil was a permanent fixture for the club, helping them win four FA Cup titles, three League Cup titles, a UEFA Champions League, one Intercontinental Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, nine FA Community Shields, and 13 Premier Leagues.
Note that Ryan Giggs was key to winning all 13 of the Premier League titles, which has kept Manchester Utd on top of the list. In case anyone had any doubts regarding how important Giggs’ role was in Manchester United, consider the fact that MU has not managed to win a single Premier league in eight seasons, post his retirement in 2014.
There have been so many legendary footballers to wear the Man Utd shirts in the club’s 143-year long history. We simply could not put so much of history in this small space, but a few names which we must at least remind ourselves of here as honourable mentions include Wayne Rooney, Bobby Charlton, and of course, the legendary George Best.
The 2021 – 22 Premier League is only getting started though, so it’s time to look forward to a comeback. Put on your favourite retro Manchester United football shirts from one of the club’s more successful seasons and support the Red Devil’s advance towards what could be their 14th Premier League win in 2021 – 22.
