United's greatest #7

[totalfootball9]

Who do you think is United's greatest #7?

- George Best
- Bryan Robson
- Eric Cantona
- David Beckham
- Cristiano Ronaldo

Not sure if this has been posted but a buddy and I were talking about it.

Be curious to read what everyone thinks.

[Bronaldo]

george best.

[leafdolfan]

Never got to watch the best era, but from what I've heard and seen of him, a fantastic footballer who would top the list.

[JamesA]

In this order..

1.) Best
2.) Cantona
3.) Robson
4.) Beckham
5.) Ronaldo (although i'm prepared and fully expecting to move him up this list to number 2 or 3 in a season or two. I feel the only credential he lacks right now is one or 2 huge games in a massive match, and a few more team trophies)

[israbeckham]

Except for Robson, I have seen plenty of the rest of the 7's and I would put it like this

Ronaldo
Best
Cantona
Robson
Beckham

But anyone can really out any of them be 1st OR last. Its just a matter of opinion. I think Ronaldo is the most skillful and productive of them all. It does not matter that he is young and hasnt been here for too long (compared to the rest.) He is scoring off the charts and its not just good form, its class. In a few years there will be no doubts that he should be number 1.
In terms of leadership it would be Robson though.

[SirManchester]

Do you really think Ronaldo is more skillfull than Best and Cantona. I think you might be confusing skill with pure ability.

[israbeckham]

Do you really think Ronaldo is more skillfull than Best and Cantona. I think you might be confusing skill with pure ability.

Ya I do. Better then Cantona. As for Best, both of them had different playing styles, but Ronaldo at least in a couple of seasons will be better. Plus I think the level back then was different. If Ronaldo played in the 60's and 70s he would absolutely tear them up. I honestly do think that we are under estimating Ronaldo's pure talent just because he is being compared with all time legends.

[topnoevili]

Been discussed before but here's my two cents.

Agree w/ James A ... though he was well before my *and probably everyone here but TomClare* time from the things I have seen and read he'd be my clear cut number one

Think Ronaldo has the potential to climb to the top of this list if he stays a red due to the early retirement of Best... obviously he would need a CL or three, the individual accolades we know he deserves, and continued success in the league to eclipse such a legend... here's hoping!

[israbeckham]

I really would like to hear TomClare's view on this. He hasnt been on here for a while though

[SirManchester]

Ya I do. Better then Cantona. As for Best, both of them had different playing styles, but Ronaldo at least in a couple of seasons will be better. Plus I think the level back then was different. If Ronaldo played in the 60's and 70s he would absolutely tear them up. I honestly do think that we are under estimating Ronaldo's pure talent just because he is being compared with all time legends.

I think you're underestimating the 60's and 70's and just how difficult it was to be such a technical player back then.

[JamesA]

It does not matter that he is young and hasnt been here for too long (compared to the rest.) He is scoring off the charts and its not just good form, its class. In a few years there will be no doubts that he should be number 1.



I'm sorry, but thats a ludicrous statement. Part of what makes the likes of Robson, Cantona, Best such legends is they performed at such a level over a number of years, won multiple trophies, and each inspired their teams to moments of greatness.

Yes Ronaldo has amazing skill, ability, and a certain level of inspiration etc....but don't forget he's only been at this level for about 1.5 seasons now. Thats not a long time. He has only won a single premiership title. If Ronaldo suddenly dropped off total form, or moved to Real at seasons end, he would still sit at #5 for me. He needs a few more seasons at this pace to start moving up that ladder.

Look at Edwards as an example. He was arugubaly one the most gifted natural players for Utd EVER. But tragically he never lived to see his mid-twenties or full potential. Rightly or wrongly, this left a question mark on his career and gave some credence to other players like Best, Charlton, Giggs, Robson etc.... claiming the title "our greatest ever player." I will state, if Edwards had played till 32 at the same or similar level when he died, he would without question or argument have been our greatest player ever. As it stands, and will forever stand, question marks remain. Thats the conundrum about debating "best ever."

Its incredulous to say Ronaldo is presently our best #7 ever.

[Bronaldo]

Ya I do. Better then Cantona. As for Best, both of them had different playing styles, but Ronaldo at least in a couple of seasons will be better. Plus I think the level back then was different. If Ronaldo played in the 60's and 70s he would absolutely tear them up. I honestly do think that we are under estimating Ronaldo's pure talent just because he is being compared with all time legends.


Ronaldo would not be nearly as good in the 60's.

A) Hard to play with that kind of technique back then
B) A lot of his game is dependent on his physical supremacy, if it were not for our training center's he would still be fast, but his strength would be lacking and that is a very important and underrated part of his game.

[JamesA]

If Ronaldo had played Division 1 football in the 60's as he does today he would have been hacked off the pitch and nobody would bat an eyelid.

Football has changed. Technology has changed. Have you ever kicked a 1960's ball, with 60's studs on a 60's pitch?

[israbeckham]

If Ronaldo had played Division 1 football in the 60's as he does today he would have been hacked off the pitch and nobody would bat an eyelid.

Football has changed. Technology has changed. Have you ever kicked a 1960's ball, with 60's studs on a 60's pitch?

True, but your right I want to change my list. Best is greater then Ronaldo (atm) because of all the things he has won including world player of the year. Skill/Talent wise, Ronaldo is better then all of them, but in terms of overall greatness he would be last. (because of his achievements) However that is probably going to change in the next few seasons.

[JamesA]

Skill/Talent wise, Ronaldo is better then all of them, but in terms of overall greatness he would be last. (because of his achievements) However that is probably going to change in the next few seasons.

Agree with this statement. Here's hoping as well. Its no doubt we have a very special talent in Ronaldo. At this current pace (combined with a few trophies) he could well be #1-3 by age 26. Thats incredible to even consider.

[GoodDead]

One thing I can say from watching that old Man Utd vs tottenham game is that George Best was ahead of his time.

[jeff070]

i m only going to talk about ronaldo , cantona, coz i have not seen much of best, first of all to be considered the greatest player for ur club is something that should not be taken lightly, yes ronaldo has been impressive, but he has only done it for about 2 years, there is a thing i want to talk is when u are the greatest u should be able to lift ur team from downs and be a leader , ronaldo lacks that leadership and teamwork, but he keeps on improving he will the best coz he will learn right now he s only 22

[billyireland]

Best.

Fin.

[holytoledo]

In this order:
Best
Robson
Cantona
Beckham
Ronaldo

When Ronaldo has finished playing here we can rate him among the others.

[433tom]

Well if we are going to rate the all time best. I think some of us might need a bit of a refresher. So I'll stat it off with 60 minutes of Eric Cantona. This is part one of really well down 2 disc set on Cantona. Enjoy.

And again, for the youngsters out there. This is a must. In my opinion, he had one of the best through balls I have seen.

It's at Stage6. Same deal as the United vs. Spurs match. you will need to download the DVIX player.

http://www.stage6.com/user/duyddoong/video/1877087/Au-Revoir-Cantona---disc-01

And here is part 2 another 60 minutes.

http://www.stage6.com/user/duyddoong/video/1877568/Au-Revoir-Cantona---disc-02