1 – Roy Keane (United). 480 appearances (51 goals) 1993-2005. 7 Premier Leagues, 4 FA Cups, 4 Charity Shields, 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup.
nited were champions when Keane joined them from Nottingham Forest in 1993, but his sheer presence over the next decade helped turn them into regular winners, though notably Keane hailed the double-winning side of 1993/1994 as the best of his United years. Suspension forced him to miss the 1998/1999 Champions League final win, but he was phenomenal that season (he played 55 games for United) while his display in the 1996 FA Cup win over Liverpool is possibly his finest day, Juventus aside.
2 – George Best (United). 470 appearances (179 goals). 1963-1974. 2 Leagues, 1 European Cup, 2 Charity Shields.
Roy Keane had already played for United for the final time in the week that George Best died in November 2005, so it may be fitting that the mantle had passed from one great to another. Generations of United supporters have forgiven Best for the off-field trauma which marked his time at Old Trafford and just treasure the greatness he delivered. Tony Dunne saw a lot in his time at United but he had no hesitation in picking the club’s best-ever player: “George Best, there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do on the pitch.”
3 – Steve Heighway (Liverpool). 475 appearances (76 goals), 1970-1981. 4 Leagues, 2 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Super Cup.
With five European medals, including the Super Cup, few from these islands can match Heighway in terms of the big honours of the game and the Dublin-born, English-raised winger deserves a high ranking in the list of greats from the last five decades.
From a club viewpoint, one recent poll listed him at 23rd in terms of Liverpool’s all-time greats. Heighway was sublime in red, the only disappointment being his underwhelming Ireland career. He would return to the club in later years to head up the Reds’ academy.
4 – Denis Irwin (United). 529 appearances (33 goals), 1990-2002. 7 Premier Leagues, 2 FA Cups, 1 League Cup, 1 Champions League, 1 Cup Winners Cup, 1 Super Cup, 1 Club World Cup.
Despite the option of picking brilliant defenders from his own era, George Best included Irwin when asked to name his best-ever United XI, recognition of Irwin’s greatness from a true great. When Alex Ferguson listed the major purchases of his time at United, Irwin (£650,000) was the second-cheapest buy, and is one of the club’s best-ever transfer deals.
5 – Ronnie Whelan (Liverpool). 493 appearances (73 goals) 1981-1994. 6 Leagues, 1 European Cup, 3 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, 5 Charity Shield, 1 Super Cup.
Scion of a great Dublin football family, Whelan had been schooled in the League of Ireland and soon found his feet in England, earning his debut in 1981 and then effectively replacing Alan Kennedy in 1982. So dominant in the ‘80s, his latter years at Anfield were sadly marked by injury.
6 – Tony Dunne (United). 535 appearances (2 goals) 1960-1973. 2 Leagues, 1 European Cup, 1 FA Cup, 2 Charity Shields.
Dunne’s passing in 2020, aged 78, led to a re-examination of his time at United. The ex-Shelbourne player says he was “in awe” of what was around him when he joined United in 1960 as he survived a disastrous debut to become a fixture in the side, peaking with the 1968 European Cup win. His exit in 1973 was handled badly by the club but Dunne was, and remains, a club legend.
7 – Mark Lawrenson (Liverpool). 356 appearances (18 goals) 1981-1988. 5 Leagues, 1 European Cup, 1 FA Cup, 3 League Cups, 2 Charity Shields.
A lot of eyes were on Lawrenson when he joined Liverpool from Brighton for a club-record fee of £900,000 in 1981, but he blossomed on the big stage, and seven major medals (including the European Cup) in his first three seasons is an astonishing return. Hampered by injury, which also denied him the Euro ’88 stage with Ireland, he played only briefly after leaving Anfield.
8 – Frank Stapleton (United). 288 appearances (78 goals) 1981-1987. 2 FA Cups, 1 Charity Shield.
A lack of league or European medals from his United days may make Stapleton seem like a strange inclusion in our top 10, but for a spell at Old Trafford, the Dubliner was one of the best strikers in Europe. In those grim early ‘80s, when United were way behind Liverpool, Stapleton’s feat of finishing as United’s top scorer three years running (1981/’82-1983/’84) is a major achievement, success at United more notable given that they failed to spot his talent as a 15-year-old trialist and passed up the chance to sign a player who would later cost the just under £1m.
9 – John O’Shea (United). 393 appearances (15 goals) 1999-2011. 5 Premier Leagues, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, 1 Champions League, 1 Club World Cup, 4 Charity Shields.
With the current Premier League stage depressingly bereft of Irish faces, it’s fair to reflect on O’Shea’s achievement at United as a triumph in the modern game. Loan spells steeled him for what was to come and his versatility was a huge asset to Alex Ferguson. Certain United fans will always remember a goal he scored against Liverpool in 2006, a major factor in that season’s title success. Now coaching with Stoke City and the Irish U-21s, a return to United as manager one day can not be ruled out.
10 – John Aldridge (Liverpool). 104 appearances (63 goals) 1987-1989. 1 League, 1 FA Cup, 2 Charity Shields.
Signing for Liverpool is a big deal for any player, but for Scouser Aldridge, his 1987 move from a successful Oxford United side was a boyhood dream fulfilled. He had a slow start, though, was labelled a “£750,000 misfit” and was almost loaned back to Oxford, but he took off in the league-winning 1987/’88 season. ‘Aldo’ scoring the first goal in the post-Hillsborough FA Cup final of 1989 was pure emotion as was scoring a penalty at the Kop end in his final act as a Reds man in 1989.
11 – Steve Finnan (Liverpool). 217 appearances (1 goal) 2003-2008. 1 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 1 Charity Shield, 1 Super Cup.
Similar back story to Steve Heighway (born in Ireland but raised in England, playing non-league football but ultimately a European Cup winner), Finnan overcame injury to become first-choice right back. While he did get a Champions League medal in 2005, it was mixed emotions for him as he was subbed off at half-time when Liverpool were 3-0 down.
12 – Ray Houghton (Liverpool). 202 appearances (38 goals) 1987-1992. 2 Leagues, 2 FA Cups, 1 Charity Shield.
Another player who arrived at Anfield late in life, Houghton thrived under Kenny Dalglish but was weighed down by those grim days of the early ‘90s.
13 – Jonny Evans (United). 198 appearances (7 goals) 2006-2015. 3 Premier Leagues, 1 Champions League, 4 Charity Shields, 2 League Cups, 1 Club World Cup.
Still playing at 34, Evans was similar to John O’Shea, often a squad player who offered value to his United manager with his versatility and reliability, and is proud of his contribution of three goals in 23 games in their last Premier League title success (2012/2013).
14 – Sammy McIlroy (United). 419 appearances (71 goals) 1971-1982. 1 League (Second Division), 1 FA Cup, 1 Charity Shield.
Being able to survive for 12 of the most turbulent years in United’s history is a tribute to McIlroy, who was picked by four United managers, from Matt Busby to Ron Atkinson.
15 – Jim Beglin (Liverpool). 98 appearances (2 goals) 1983-1990. 1 League, 1 FA Cup, 1 Charity Shield.
A terrible injury adds a poignant ‘what if?’ to Beglin’s Liverpool career. Bob Paisley’s last signing, the classy defender was good enough to make it into a league-winning side as first-choice left-back and also played in the European Cup final, but a broken leg away to Everton in 1987 effectively ended his career.
16 – Gerry Daly (United). 144 appearances (32 goals) 1973-1977. 1 League (Second Division)
Scouted at Bohemians, Daly was seen by Dave Sexton as a player he could build a team around but United were clearly in decline as Daly was relegated in his first season at United. But the Cabra man was a key figure in what was to come as United got promoted and the club selling Daly to Derby in 1977 was a bad call.
17 – Steve Staunton (Liverpool). 148 appearances (6 goals) 1986-1991, 1998-2000. 1 League, 1 FA Cup, 2 Charity Shields.
Staunton averaged 20 games a season in his first three years at Anfield and won a league and FA Cup, where his versatility was appreciated by Kenny Dalglish but Graeme Souness was happy to let Staunton leave. A return in 1998 under Gerard Houllier was nowhere near as happy.
18 – Kevin Moran (United). 284 appearances (24 goals) 1979-1988. 2 FA Cup, 1 Charity Shield
Like fellow Dubliners Frank Stapleton and Paul McGrath, Moran’s time at United coincided with Liverpool’s dominance so his only successes came in the FA Cup. A boyhood Liverpool fan, Moran thrived at Old Trafford after his Dublin GAA career, a late bloomer (debut at 23). He was let go as Alex Ferguson tried to cut out what he saw as the club’s drinking culture but was a Premier League player five years after leaving United.
19– Mal Donaghy (United). 119 appearances 1988-1992. 1 Cup Winners Cup, 1 Super Cup, 1 Charity Shield.
United fended off competition from Liverpool to sign Donaghy from Luton in 1988 but despite doubts about his age (31) and a relatively large fee, he was a good investment by Alex Ferguson.
20 – Michael Robinson (Liverpool). 52 appearances (13 goals) 1983-1984. 1 League, 1 European Cup, 1 League Cup.
Tragically taken by illness in 2020 at the age of 61, Robinson’s time at Anfield was brief. Over 14 months, opportunities to impress were limited, though for a spell his partnership up front with Ian Rush saw Kenny Dalglish moved into midfield, his cameo role in the European Cup win in 1984 should be remembered.
21 – Paul McGrath (United). 203 appearances (16 goals) 1982-1989. 1 FA Cup
Earlier this year the official United website marked the 40-year anniversary of his arrival from St Pat’s with a tribute as “one of the classiest centre-halves United have had”. His sale to Aston Villa in 1989 (after Alex Ferguson had tried to get him to just retire) was one of the bad calls of the Ferguson era.
22 – Norman Whiteside (United). 278 appearances (68 goals), 1981-1989. 2 FA Cups, 1 Charity Shield.
One of a batch of Irish players at United in the 1980s who were unable to get over the line in the league, Whiteside was a breath of fresh air with his debut as a 17-year-old, that United debut opening the door for him to the 1982 World Cup finals.
23 – Roy Carroll (United). 72 appearances 2001-2005. 1 League, 1 FA Cup, 1 Charity Shield.
United paid Wigan around £3m for Carroll in 2001 but while he picked up trophies in his time there, he was usually second fiddle to the likes of Fabien Barthez and Tim Howard, he opted to leave United in 2005 to seek first team football but the Fermanagh man did leave with medals.
24 – Darron Gibson (United). 60 appearances (10 goals) 2005-2012. 1 Premier League, 2 League Cup, 1 World Club Cup.
Seventeen Belfast boys have played for United over the years but Gibson was the first Derry lad to make the breakthrough. He made his debut a day after his 18th birthday in 2005, his time at United did bring medals and the high of a Champions League goal.
25 – Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool). 17 appearances 2020-present. 1 League Cup, 1 FA Cup, 1 Champions League
The only Republic of Ireland player on the books at first team level at United or Liverpool today, Kelleher has already amassed Premier League and Champions League experience and played in a cup-winning side, but a call on his long-term future will have to be made in the next 12 months.
26 – Jimmy Nicholl (United). 235 appearances (6 goals) 1974-1982
Likened to club legend Jackie Carey by Matt Busby when he was signed, Nicholl was a solid performer in the difficult ‘80s but was ousted by Ron Atkinson.
27 – Ashley Grimes (United). 107 appearances (11 goals) 1977-1983. 1 FA Cup
In just six months he went from the Bohemians side and his day-job as a fitter to the United first team. Made his debut in 1977, he had one standout season (3 goals in 27 games in 1979/’80), was harshly dropped for the ‘83 FA final after a superb semi-final display.
28 – Jason McAteer (Liverpool). 139 appearances (6 goals) 1995-1999.
No medals in his Anfield times but achieved a dream by playing there.
29 – David McCreery (United). 57 appearances (8 goals) 1974-1979. 1 FA Cup, 1 Charity Shield.
Clocked up a decent return of games in five turbulent seasons at United.
30 – Mick Martin (United). 36 appearances (2 goals) 1973-1975
Had more success with West Brom and Newcastle.
31 – Liam O’Brien (United). 17 appearances (2 goals) 1986-1988
Another League of Ireland recruit, recovered from a red card on his debut to get games but was sold to Newcastle.
32 – Paddy Roche (United). 53 appearances (1975-1983)
Replaced European Cup hero Alex Stepney at one stage, was mainly back-up in his eight seasons.
33 – Phil Babb (Liverpool)
170 appearances (1 goal) 1994-1999. 1 League Cup.
Played in Cup finals for the Reds but will always be associated with the Spice Boys tag from the ‘96 FA Cup final.
34 – Mark Kennedy (Liverpool). 21 appearances 1995-1998
Massive pressure on Kennedy when he joined the Reds as a teenager, he sustained a career after leaving Anfield.
35 – Robbie Keane (Liverpool). 28 appearances (7 goals) 2008-2009
A record-breaking move to Anfield in 2008 didn’t work out.
36 – Darren Potter (Liverpool).
17 appearances 2002-2005
Squad player who never made a full breakthrough.
37 – Liam Miller (United).
11 apps (2 goals) 2004-2005
Couldn’t hit the same heights he enjoyed at Celtic. Football community united in grief when the Corkman passed away aged 36 in 2018.
38 – Chris McGrath (United).
34 appearances (1 goal) 1976-1980
Winger who also played 21 times for Northern Ireland
39 – Keith Gillespie (United).
14 appearances (2 goals) 1993-1995. 1 Charity Shield
Was unable to build on early flashes at United but shone at Newcastle.
40– Tommy Jackson (United). 22 appearances 1975-1977
Failed to make a lasting impression in the trophy-less years.
41 – Kevin Sheedy (Liverpool).
5 appearances (2 goals) 1978-1982
Made his name with Everton but his Anfield spell was unsuccessful.
42 – Richie Partridge (Liverpool).
3 appearances 1996-2004
Another held back by injury, would later return to Anfield in a physio role.
43 – Conor Bradley (Liverpool) 5 appearances 2021-present
Blooded by Jurgen Klopp last season, currently on loan.
44 – Phil Mulryne (Utd)
4 appearances 1997-1999
Was subsequently ordained into the priesthood.
45 – David Healy (United).
3 appearances 1999-2000
Another Belfast boy given a chance but was unable to get into the side.
46 – Trevor Anderson (United). 19 appearances (2 goals), 1973-1974
Signed as a replacement for George Best, the future Dundalk manager struggled at United.
47 – Tom Sloan (United).
4 appearances (1978-1981)
Had four seasons at United but never made the step up.
48 – Derek Brazil (United).
2 appearances, 1989-1990
Highly-rated by Alex Ferguson, he found game time hard to get.
49 – Pat McGibbon (United).
1 appearance, 1992-1997
Sent off on his debut.
50 – Robbie Brady (United).
1 appearance 2012-2013
Only played a single League Cup tie.
