Manchester United's All-Time EPL Wingers: Nani, Ronaldo, Beckham or Giggs?

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Manchester United's All-Time EPL Wingers: Nani, Ronaldo, Beckham or Giggs?



Throughout the illustrious tenure of Sir Alex Ferguson, he has remained steadfast in his belief that United are at their most potent when incorporating a pair of wingers in the side.

While most other clubs have experimented with narrower formations and a more central focus, each of the successful teams constructed by the Glaswegian has featured two wingers who use the vast open spaces of Old Trafford to stretch their opponents.

As a result, the club has seen a proliferation of wing wizards, each of whom are originally compared to George Best and in some special cases plough a furrow all of their own.

Since the original double winning side of 1993-1994, to the treble team of 1999, the three in a row and European Cup winning outfit of 2007-2009, to today’s team who reached February unbeaten and enjoy a healthy four point lead at the top, a plethora of wingers have been talismanic figures in triumphant sides.

But just who is the best winger of modern times?

Let compare the mainstays of each of the sides.

4. Nani


Rewind the clock 12 months and you’d have gotten long odds on the enigmatic Portuguese being included in this list.

The Champions League quarter final tie against Bayern Munich hinted at a winger who had come of age, and ever since he’s been United’s most consistent threat on the flanks.

Capable on playing on either wing, boasting a compendium of tricks and a decent cross and shot to boot, Nani has been the best winger in the league this season.

Top of the assists chart, Saturdays goal at Wolves took him to eight league goals for the season and if that rate is extrapolated to the denouement of the season, he will further embellish his burgeoning reputation.

3. David Beckham


''He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that he's all right''. - George Best

George Best might not have thought much of him, but maybe he was just jealous of the first pin up boy to rival the legendary lothario from Belfast.

Despite his failings, (Best actually excluded the most obvious of all, a lack of pace) Beckham was the best crosser in world football during the late nineties and early part of the last decade.

The Cole and Yorke partnership certainly profited from the understanding he forged with Gary Neville down the right flank, and it was also he who swung in those two corners in injury time on that balmy night in Barcelona.

The fact Tottenham recently wanted to extend his Premier League career into a third decade speaks volumes of his professionalism and despite his acrimonious departure he retains a hero’s status at Old Trafford

2. Cristiano Ronaldo


In the summer of 2003, Manchester United needed a replacement for Beckham. None appeared to be forthcoming, but a friendly against Sporting Lisbon uncovered a raw talent.

An 18 year old from Madeira tormented the United defence, and less than a few weeks later he was at Old Trafford. Anyone who hadn’t witnessed the aforementioned friendly wasn’t long in realising United had a special talent on their hands as a late cameo against Bolton was to testify.

His abundance of tricks bamboozled the travelling defence and a star was well and truly born. Ronaldo would finish the season as the club’s player of the year, but it wasn’t until the abdication of Ruud Van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid that the Portuguese really made his mark.

He scored 23 goals as United won the League in 2006-2007 and followed it up with a phenomenal 42 the following year including a goal in the Champions League final.

Even a transfer to Real has done little to besmirch his reputation to United fans, with the club pocketing a world record fee for their troubles.

1. Ryan Giggs


There’s been two constants in United’s modern day success, Sir Alex Fergsuon, and Ryan Giggs. Each of the club's Premier League wins have featured the duo, ditto their two modern European Cups and all the other proliferation of trophies they have accrued.

From bursting onto the scene as a 17 year old his talent was obvious, but few could have expected the Welshman to enjoy such a decorated career. Over 800 games for the club have yielded 158 goals with numerous assists and awards to boot. The highlight was probably that goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi final replay in 1999 when the treble became a real possibility.

The fact that even at 37, Giggs can still be summonsed to a turn a game on its axis is itself a testament to a unique talent.

His enduring longevity is an example to behold and he stands on a pedestal as Manchester United's number one winger.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/600092-manchester-uniteds-all-time-epl-wingers-nani-v-ronaldo-v-beckham-v-giggs?utm_source=bleacherreport.com#page/5