Let’s take a look at the top 20 goal scorers for Manchester United throughout history. One of the greatest and most prosperous football teams in the world, Manchester United have had several all-time greats wear their jerseys over the course of their historic history.
But who were some of the Red Devils’ greatest goal-scorers in history? The record for the most goals scored for Manchester United is held by Wayne Rooney, who is largely regarded as one of the best players of his generation. He spent 13 years at the club starting in 2004 and scored 253 goals in 559 games, producing many unforgettable moments. The English international was admitted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022 after winning the Golden Boy award in 2004.
Sir Bobby Charlton, a former Ballon d’Or, and World Cup champion is ranked second all-time among Manchester United goal scorers with 249 goals. The record for most goals scored was held by him until Rooney surpassed it in 2017.
Denis Law, a legendary player, completes the podium with 237 goals in slightly over 400 games across all competitions.
With 963 games played for United throughout the course of his incredibly lengthy career, Ryan Giggs holds the record for most appearances at Manchester United. He also holds the 7th spot on the list of the club’s all-time leading goal scorers with 168 goals. The only player to score in each of the Premier League’s first 21 seasons was Ryan Giggs.
With 155 goals scored over his 20-year United career, Paul Scholes rounds out the top 10. He is recognized as one of the best midfielders of all time and has the third-highest number of appearances (718) at the club throughout his tenure.
Five-time Awarded the Ballon d’Or With 142 goals in 339 games across his two stints at the club, Cristiano Ronaldo is the only active player in the top 20. Only 9 goals separate him from deadly Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals while playing for United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a former manager of Manchester United, scored 126 goals in 366 appearances. His late strike against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, which completed United’s triple, will go down in Man Utd legend forever.
Manchester United’s top goal scorers of all time:
| Position | Player | Goals | Matches | Years |
| 1 | Wayne Rooney | 253 | 559 | 2004-2017 |
| 2 | Bobby Charlton | 249 | 758 | 1956-1973 |
| 3 | Denis Law | 237 | 404 | 1962-1973 |
| 4 | Jack Rowley | 211 | 424 | 1937-1955 |
| 5 | Dennis Viollet | 179 | 293 | 1952-1962 |
| =5 | George Best | 179 | 470 | 1962-1974 |
| 7 | Joe Spence | 168 | 510 | 1919-1933 |
| =7 | Ryan Giggs | 168 | 963 | 1991-2014 |
| 9 | Mark Hughes | 163 | 467 | 1983-1986, 1988-1995 |
| 10 | Paul Scholes | 155 | 718 | 1994-2011, 2012-2013 |
| 11 | Ruud van Nistelrooy | 150 | 219 | 2001-2006 |
| 12 | Stan Pearson | 148 | 343 | 1937-1954 |
| 13 | David Heard | 145 | 265 | 1961-1968 |
| 14 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 142 | 340 | 2003-2009, 2021- |
| 15 | Tommy Taylor | 131 | 191 | 1953-1958 |
| 16 | Brian McClair | 127 | 471 | 1987-1998 |
| 17 | Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | 126 | 366 | 1996-2007 |
| 18 | Andy Cole | 121 | 275 | 1995-2001 |
| 19 | Sandy Turnbull | 101 | 247 | 1907-1915 |
| 20 | Joe Cassidy | 100 | 174 | 1893-1900 |
| =20 | George Wall | 100 | 319 | 1906-1915 |
For more football insights, updates, news, and highlights keep exploring this space.
