There have been debates over the years over the greatest ever United player. Just this week there was a thread on red issue making that claim for Ronaldo, with George Best peddled as his only serious rival. Sadly, the claims of Bobby Charlton were once more glossed over. The World Cup winner, European Champion, 1966 World Player of the Year, Busby Babe and survivor of Munich remains criminally underrated by United’s support. So, in a week of triumph I thought it timely to remind you all of his contribution to the club as a player, ambassador and director.
The preferrence of one player over another often comes down to the perception of different characters. Ronaldo is still regarded as a show pony, even if his three goals in United’s last two CL away legs underline his status as The Best Player in The World. Whereas George Best was a shy, retiring Irishman turned Love God (surely every lonely teenagers dream!) and ultimately one of the lads.
Sir Bobby, undoubtedly affected by losing his best mates at the age of 18, has spent the last 50 years buckling down – first turning his career into the greatest any Englishman has ever had, latterly becoming England’s representative at FIFA or UEFA’s high table. Throughout, Bobby has exhibited a determination to promote his club and country. He was instrumental in the hiring of Alex Ferguson, instrumental in keeping him when other directors wanted rid and he was instrumental in welcoming The Glazers…
Best meanwhile left United in pieces. The latter part of his career was a tale of missed training, inebriated performances and illicit hotel rendez-vous before big games. He humiliated the club, the fans, his manager(s) and team-mates. How is that worthy of ‘legendary’ status? It seems to me that if United had got rid of him sooner (to City perhaps) we wouldn’t have been relegated in 1974.
Anyway to get back to the point – who is the greatest?
It’s hard to argue with Bobby Charlton being the greatest United player ever. Until one of our stars plays the starring role winning a World Cup then it has to be him. Angry supporters may point to his support of the Glazers, his misdemeanours with a few FA Cup Final tickets and his establishment connections and, ok, Bobby is as middle class as they come. But if you regard the ability to cope with adversity high on your list then it’s hard to see past him.
I would put Ronaldo just behind him now. Ronaldo and Best have had very similar careers to his point. Both have unbelievable natural ability. Both have been central to United winning a European Cup, both have had record breaking seasons in front of goal.
There are question marks about Ronnie’s loyalty just as there was about Best’s off field proclivities. Should Ronaldo leave this summer it’d be hard to seperate them – perhaps the tie-breaker is in the Portuguese’s hands. Helping United to retain the European Cup in Rome would give him an historic edge and, after his recent performances, you wouldn’t bet against that now would you?
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