Ranking 5 greatest player debuts in Manchester United history
Manchester United are one of the most iconic football clubs in the world. The Red Devils have won 20 Premier League titles, the best record in the history of the English top-flight. They also have a rich history in Europe, winning three Champions League titles and two Europa League titles.
Manchester United have been blessed with phenomenal talent
Several superstars have donned the United shirt over the years. While some are already legends of the club, others are still on the pathway of finding stardom. Apart from phenomenal academy graduates, United’s transfer business has also been quite commendable.
There have been quite a few memorable player debuts in Manchester United’s history. Making an impact on one's debut is daunting, especially for such a reputed club, and only a select few have been able to do so.
On that note, let’s take a look at the top five Manchester United player debuts:
#5 Marcus Rashford
Born and bred in Manchester, Marcus Rashford's footballing journey has been quite magical. The Englishman has shone both on the pitch and off it, and is the epitome of a role model for aspiring footballers. Rashford’s United debut came against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League round of 32 in the 2015-16 season.
Rashford was immediately thrown into a high-pressure scenario as the Red Devils fought to overturn a first-leg deficit. After a subpar first half that ended 1-1, Rashford’s goal in the 63rd minute sparked a terrific comeback. He also went on to score in the 75th minute and United ended up convincing 5-1 winners.
Just three days later, Rashford made his Premier League debut against Arsenal and once again scored a brace in a memorable 3-2 win. Since making his magical debut, Rashford has scored 93 goals for the Red Devils in 294 appearances across all competitions.
The 24-year-old was awarded an MBE (Most Excellent Order for the British Empire) for his exceptional service to vulnerable children.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
Almost two decades ago, a 17-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson whilst playing for Porto against Manchester United. He was signed by United in August at the start of the 2003-04 season and the rest, as they say, is history. His club debut came in the same season against Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Although Ronaldo didn’t score, his 30-minute second-half cameo performances left both fans and rivals impressed. The winger was unstoppable and was a nightmare to defend against. United legend George Best later proclaimed that it was 'undoubtedly the most exciting debut’ he had ever seen.
18 years after his first Man United debut, Cristiano Ronaldo STARTS against Newcastle! 🙌 https://t.co/db8I0Z6Tya
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has since written his name in United’s history books. Ronaldo made his return to Old Trafford at the start of the current 2021-22 season. His second club debut was also incredible as he went on to score United’s first two goals in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United.