The 50 hardest Manchester United players to ever walk out at Old Trafford

· Mirror

Manchester United have produced their fair share of hardmen over the years... here are 50 of the fiercest

Manchester United have welcomed a healthy portion of the Premier League's hardest stars through their doors over the years. However, the club's reputation as a landing zone for some of England's most notorious tough nuts dates back way further.

From the Busby Babes era to Ron Atkinson's reign, Sir Alex Ferguson's iconic teams and beyond, the club is renowned for housing hard characters. And Michael Carrick's squad of today could perhaps do with reviving that tradition in its bid to get back on top of the European order.

Not every intimidating character has been so fortunate to combine those traits with the same degree of quality on the pitch. That being said, Mirror Football has compiled a list of the hardest players to have pulled on the iconic red over the decades.

50. Eric Bailly

Some would describe Eric Bailly as something of a defensive liability during his time at Old Trafford. However, the Ivorian was nothing if not a trier and was always willing to throw himself wholeheartedly into a challenge.

49. Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Not your typical aggressor by any means, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka is nothing if not a hard-hitting tackler of the ball and rarely made a meal out of his many challenges in defence.

48. Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera's play was always styled around self-sacrifice. Despite the reputation of Spanish football as a fancier version of the sport, the former Athletic Club staple was no-frills in his own style of play and had a crunching tackle in his locker.

47. Romelu Lukaku

Not all big men put their size to its best use, and while Romelu Lukaku's United career left something to be desired, fans eventually came to miss his combination of power and finesse in attack.

The Belgian gladly tussled with some of the best Premier League defenders of his era and was more than happy to give it back.

(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

46. Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez might be higher on this list were it not for the fact that he was susceptible to no small amount of play-acting when he felt he'd been roughed up too much. That being said, the Argentinian also had a rabid edge to him that meant he could dish it out when needed.

(Image: Man Utd via Getty Images)

45. Nemanja Matic

As icy calm as the Serbian landscape he hailed from, Nemanja Matic was a tough customer to break down during his five years in United's midfield, yet hardly ever looked flustered in his duties.

(Image: Getty Images)

44. Marcos Rojo

One of Louis van Gaal's earliest signings at United, Marcos Rojo was an archetype of a South American defender who racked up 28 yellow cards in only 122 games for the club (a caution every four games or so).

Rojo demonstrated his durability by scoffing some of the blackest toast ever consumed and living to tell the tale on social media.

(Image: Getty Images)

43. Marouane Fellaini

The recipient of 75 yellow cards in the Premier League, Marouane Fellaini's afro hairstyle wasn't the only aspect that drew plenty of attention during his days at Old Trafford. Elbowing his way to aerial dominance, the Belgian had a knack for dictating games on his best day, but sometimes let himself down when it came to discipline.

(Image: Michael Regan)

42. Edinson Cavani

Unlike Diego Forlan, Edinson Cavani lived up to certain stereotypes on Uruguayan football and added some valuable bite to United's attack during his two seasons at Old Trafford.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

41. Gabriel Heinze

Another South American whose physicality helped make up for certain technical shortcomings, Gabriel Heinze was no stranger to referees and regularly utilised the dark arts to get his way.

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40. Denis Irwin

United great Denis Irwin wasn't your 'hard man' in the conventional sense, but was more successful as one of the club's all-time best full-backs for the way he dealt with world-class opposition.

Performed his job to aplomb with minimal fuss and was sent off just once in a career that comprised 641 games. Your favourite left-back's favourite left-back.

39. Gary Neville

A certain United captain once berated Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira for "going after Gary," suggesting Neville was perhaps seen as something of an easy target by his peers. However, the eight-time Premier League champion proved he was made of stern stuff over the course of 602 appearances, starring as a more typical example of the traditional full-back.

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38. Billy Meredith

What else is there to be said about a man who chewed a toothpick during games? Billy Meredith left Manchester City for the red half of town in 1906 after attempting to bribe an opponent and later set up the players' union that would become the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).

(Image: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

37. Patrice Evra

Big talkers in football rarely back up their words when it comes to walking the walk; Patrice Evra was an exception to that rule.

(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

36. Alan Smith

You know a player's got a bit of bottle about them when they transition from striker to a more defensive midfield role without complaint. It speaks volumes that Ferguson saw Smith as the successor to a certain engine-room talisman with his own feisty reputation.

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35. Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes' fame is built on the kind of technical ability that only a minute percentage of those in the sport possess. However, he was willing to throw himself around when required and bled United red, often standing up for team-mates and sacrificing himself for the cause all too willingly.

(Image: ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images)

34. George Best

George Best is often spoken about in the same breath as Pele as a player who had to take his fair share of licks during a time when referees allowed players to get away with a lot more. And yet he always had more to give those nipping at his heels (as well as ankles and knees).

(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

33. Phil Jones

Once hailed as the next great leader in United's defence, Phil Jones' career at the Theatre of Dreams didn't pan out like Ferguson had envisioned when he signed from Blackburn as a youngster.

However, the former England international was nothing if not willing to put himself in harm's way for the team, usually with a hilarious expression across his face.

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32. Park Ji-sung

'Hardness' can be displayed in a multitude of ways, and Park Ji-sung gets his flowers here after a United career dedicated to doing anything required of him to get the desired result.

Never complained and had one of the most inexhaustible engines of any player to represent the club, the South Korean did a job wherever he was dispatched and was rarely (if ever) bullied.

(Image: The Daily Mirror)

31. Rio Ferdinand

Say what you like about Rio Ferdinand as a pundit, but the former England centre-back was a key component in one of the most iconic United defences of all time.

Ferdinand was good enough to regularly avoid the pettier side of the game, but was often the first line of defence when a team-mate needed protection.

(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

30. Casemiro

Casemiro had a penchant for hitting the deck when he felt it necessary, but backed that reputation up with a career built around his no-nonsense methods in midfield.

Long before he became a Hall of Fame-worthy, five-time Champions League-winner, the Brazilian was more akin to your classic disruptor in midfield, who was rarely far from a yellow card.

29. Lisandro Martinez

Anyone nicknamed 'The Butcher' must surely have a bit about them to warrant such a moniker. Although he hasn't maintained the fitness to show it regularly enough, Lisandro Martinez's tough-tackling ways give the current United side a valuable bit of bite whenever he is available.

28. Denis Law

Talk about making the most of one's dimensions, Denis Law honed his craft in Italy with Torino before bringing it to Old Trafford. Despite his slender frame, there was no challenge too big for 'The King', who stood up to many a daunting head-to-head before having the last laugh.

(Image: PA)

27. Remi Moses

Remi Moses stood just 5'6" but often looked 10 feet tall in United's midfield, putting his frame to fine use over the course of 191 appearances for the club.

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26. Darren Fletcher

Darren Fletcher's on-ball ability paled in comparison to some of the more gifted stars he shared a field with, but the Scot boasted an indomitable will and sense of sacrifice that made him a fan favourite at Old Trafford.

(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

25. Henning Berg

Often overlooked as a member of the treble-winning side of 1999, Henning Berg might have established himself as a more famed hard man of United lore were it not for a certain Dutch destroyer (whom we'll discuss later) replacing him in the line-up.

(Image: Shaun Botterill /Allsport)

24. Andy Goram

Born in Bury, Andy Goram made only a handful of appearances at United after joining on loan in 2001. However, 'The Goalie' had long since established himself as a fearless presence between the posts after years of success in the harsh climes of Scotland with Rangers and Hibs.

(Image: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

23. David May

Another treble-winner who sometimes doesn't get the recognition he deserves, David May was much more than your everyday hard man, but would meet most challenges head-on whenever called upon in defence.

(Image: Phil Cole /Allsport)

22. Mark Jones

One of the Busby Babes who lost their life in the Munich Air Disaster, Mark Jones, was regarded as wise beyond his years.

Despite being one of the younger members of the squad at the time, Jones had a reputation for helping team-mates in need and trained budgies, the mark of a man who felt no need to prove his toughness.

(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)

21. Paul Ince

Some United fans may look upon Paul Ince poorly for representing Liverpool after his Old Trafford career ended. However, that apparent betrayal can't paper over the ex-midfielder's hardened role during a period of Red Devils dominance during the early 1990s.

(Image: Mirror Digital)

20. Wayne Rooney

Raised on the streets of Liverpool, Wayne Rooney brought a tenacity to United's attack that epitomised Ferguson's methodology - and the fans loved him for it.

Whether it was getting into scrapes off the ball or scrapping for possession, Rooney was ever down to fight for the cause throughout his Old Trafford career, even if his mild-mannered persona these days hints otherwise.

19. Phil Bardsley

The only player with documented footage knocking out another member of this list, keen boxer Phil Bardsley, technically can't place lower than Rooney after infamously shutting out his lights on camera.

(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

18. Eric Cantona

Famous for the kung fu kick seen around the world, Eric Cantona is nothing if not a man of principle. One of the most genuine characters football has ever known, there's only one man who can boot a member of the crowd before spouting a soliloquy with his next breath.

(Image: Action Images)

17. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Having attained his black belt in taekwondo at just 17, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is someone you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alleyway when he's in the wrong mood. Even after joining United towards the tail end of his career, the Swede never backed down from a challenge.

(Image: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

16. Mark Hughes

One of several Welsh greats to dazzle the Old Trafford masses, Mark Hughes was a furious finisher in front of goal for United - but also sometimes just furious.

(Image: Ben Radford/Allsport/Getty Images)

15. Tony Coton

Tony Coton is something of an honourable mention, given he never made a first-team appearance for United after joining from rivals City in 1995. His fearless reputation preceded him; however, after winning Player of the Season awards at City, Watford (three times), and Birmingham, he nonetheless ranks among the hardest men to pass through United's doors.

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