Legend Profiles: Manchester United

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Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of his generation. He spent his entire professional career at Manchester United, where he played as a left-winger and midfielder from 1990 to 2014.

Giggs made his debut for Manchester United in 1991 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in English football. He helped the team win the Premier League in his first full season and went on to win a total of 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles during his time at the club.

Giggs was known for his incredible dribbling skills, his ability to beat defenders, and his clinical finishing. He was also a versatile player who could play in multiple positions, including left-wing, central midfield, and left-back.

In addition to his success at club level, Giggs also had a successful international career with Wales. He made his debut for the national team in 1991 and went on to earn 64 caps before retiring from international football in 2007.

Giggs retired from professional football in 2014 at the age of 40, having played 963 matches for Manchester United and scoring 168 goals.

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George Best

George Best was a Northern Irish professional footballer, best known for his playing career at Manchester United, where he played from 1963 to 1974.

Best made his debut for Manchester United in 1963 at the age of 17 and quickly established himself as a key player in the team. He helped the club win two First Division titles and the European Cup in 1968, where he scored a memorable solo goal in the final.

Best was known for his incredible dribbling skills, his ability to beat defenders with ease, and his clinical finishing. He was also known for his off-field lifestyle, which often overshadowed his achievements on the pitch.

Best played for a number of clubs after leaving Manchester United, including Fulham, Los Angeles Aztecs, and Hibernian, but his career was cut short by his alcoholism and other personal issues.

Despite his short career, Best won numerous awards and accolades, including the Ballon d'Or in 1968, which is awarded to the best player in Europe. He scored a total of 136 goals in 361 appearances for Manchester United and scored 37 goals in 89 appearances for Northern Ireland.

Best passed away in 2005 at the age of 59, but his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time lives on.

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Bobby Charlton

Sir Bobby Charlton is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He spent the majority of his professional career at Manchester United, where he played as a midfielder from 1956 to 1973.

Charlton made his debut for Manchester United in 1956 and quickly established himself as a key player in the team. He helped the club win three First Division titles and the European Cup in 1968, scoring two goals in the final.

Charlton was known for his powerful long-range shots, his incredible passing ability, and his leadership on the pitch. He was also a versatile player who could play in multiple positions, including attacking midfield and forward.

In addition to his success at club level, Charlton also had a successful international career with England. He made his debut for the national team in 1958 and went on to earn 106 caps, scoring 49 goals. He helped England win the 1966 World Cup, where he was named the tournament's best player.

Charlton retired from professional football in 1973 at the age of 35, having played 758 matches for Manchester United and scoring 249 goals.

After his playing career, Charlton went into coaching and management and served as a director at Manchester United. He was also knighted in 1994 for his services to football.

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Eric Cantona

Cantona spent the majority of his professional career playing Manchester United, where he played as a forward and attacking midfielder from 1992 to 1997.

Cantona began his professional career playing in France for Auxerre, Marseille, and Nimes before moving to England to play for Leeds United in 1991. He then made a controversial move to Manchester United in 1992, where he quickly became a key player in the team.

Cantona was known for his flair, his creativity, and his technical ability. He was also known for his fiery temperament, which often landed him in trouble both on and off the pitch.

During his time at Manchester United, Cantona helped the club win four Premier League titles and two FA Cups. He was also named the Premier League Player of the Season in 1993-94 and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Cantona retired from professional football in 1997 at the age of 30, citing a loss of motivation as the reason for his retirement. He then went on to pursue a career in acting and became a successful actor in France.

Despite his relatively short career, Cantona is widely regarded as one of the most talented and charismatic players of his generation, and his impact on Manchester United and English football is still felt today.

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Roy Keane

Keane began his professional career at Cobh Ramblers before moving to Nottingham Forest in 1990. After two successful seasons at Forest, he was signed by Manchester United in 1993 for a British transfer record fee of £3.75 million. Keane quickly established himself as a key player for United, helping them to win seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League during his time at the club.

In addition to his success at club level, Keane was also a regular for the Republic of Ireland national team, earning 67 caps and captaining the team at the 2002 World Cup.

However, Keane's career was not without controversy. He was famously sent off in the 1999 Champions League final, which meant he missed the final victory over Bayern Munich. He was also involved in a high-profile feud with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, which ultimately led to his departure from the club in 2005.

After leaving Manchester United, Keane played for Celtic and then returned to English football with Sunderland, where he also had a successful spell as a manager. Keane later managed Ipswich Town and briefly worked as an assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland national team.

Overall, Roy Keane is remembered as a tenacious and talented player who played a crucial role in Manchester United's dominance during the 1990s and early 2000s.