Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial

Revealed: United's top 10 goalscorers of the decade

Monday 30 December 2019 15:30

At the close of another eventful decade in Manchester United’s rich history, our statisticians have studied the past 10 years to produce a list of the club's top goalscorers across all competitions.

One bona fide club icon stands tall above the rest with his impressive tally of finishes and his identity may not come as a surprise to you, yet the names before that much-loved legend make for fascinating reading. 

Scroll down to assess our epic countdown, from 10 to one…

10: Jesse Lingard
Goals scored: 30
In summary: The Warrington lad began the decade by ascending the ranks of our illustrious youth system and enjoying several loan spells in the Football League, before eventually making his first-team debut in August 2014. A livewire forward with increasing experience, he is now an important presence in the seniors.
Outstanding goal: An extra-time winner in the 2016 Emirates FA Cup final, thumped into the top corner at Wembley Stadium.

Video
Watch Lingard's memorable winner in the 2016 Emirates FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
9: Paul Pogba 
Goals scored: 31
In summary: After leaving the club in 2012 for a four-year spell in Italy, the box-to-box midfielder returned in 2016 to become the focal point of our midfield, helping the club to win three trophies in his first season back. Capable of scoring goals from all angles, including penalties, his tally looks set to rise and rise.   
Outstanding goal: Look no further than his deadlock-breaking strike in the 2017 Europa League final, leading to a 2-0 win over AFC Ajax.

8: Dimitar Berbatov 
Goals scored: 36
In summary: With a playing style that oozed style and grace, the Bulgarian became a cult hero at Old Trafford during his short stay at the club, thanks in part to a famous hat-trick against Liverpool - plus a five-goal haul versus Blackburn Rovers. He left for Fulham in 2012, yet is still incredibly popular among supporters.
Outstanding goal: It’s hard to beat an overhead-kick against our oldest and fiercest rivals, Liverpool, so we can't ignore it. Pure magic.

7: Romelu Lukaku 
Goals scorer: 42
In summary: The Belgium international joined from Everton in 2017 and was prolific in his first season, but struggled in his second campaign for a variety of reasons. When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ushered in a new style of play, following his appointment as boss, the big man left the club for Internazionale and Serie A.
Outstanding goal: Without doubt, Lukaku's first of two goals against Paris Saint-Germain in France inspired our memorable Champions League comeback.

6: Juan Mata 
Goals scored: 45
In summary: The diminutive Spaniard has brought a touch of class to our attack since joining from Premier League rivals Chelsea in January 2014, while also winning the fans’ hearts with his intelligent, kind-hearted demeanour off the pitch. Now an experienced professional, among young talents, he is a fundamental presence on and off the pitch. 
Outstanding goal: Although he’s still playing, it is likely that Juan will always be best remembered for his scissor-kick at Anfield. It doesn't get better.

Video
Take another look at Mata's sensational goal against historic rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
=4: Anthony Martial
Goals scored: 58
In summary: Signed from AS Monaco as a relative unknown in August 2015, Tony became an instant idol by scoring on his debut against Liverpool and, now in his fifth season, he is leading the attack for Solskjaer’s United. His finish at Burnley last time out highlighted his growing confidence as our no.9 and the future looks bright.
Outstanding goal: Often forgotten, his 2016 FA Cup semi-final winner against Everton was pivotal to our success in the competition. 

=4: Robin van Persie
Goals scored: 58
In summary: The Flying Dutchman was an Arsenal legend and playing great football, but he wanted to win trophies and decisively joined United in August 2012. Months later, after a prolific debut campaign, he received a guard of honour at the Emirates Stadium as a Premier League title winner. Perhaps our most devastating finisher in recent history.
Outstanding goal: A perfect volley against Aston Villa, from Wayne Rooney's lofted pass, consolidated our 20th English title in style.
Video
Van Persie helped to seal the title with his outstanding volley against Aston Villa.

3: Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez
Goals scored: 59
In summary: The 'Little Pea' was an absolute unknown to United fans when he signed from Chivas Guadalajara in 2010, one day after our Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, but he immediately impressed with his predatory goals and supporters absolutely adored him throughout a five-season stay at Old Trafford. 
Outstanding goal: Chicha's backwards header against Stoke City highlighted his unrivalled instincts in the box. 

2: Marcus Rashford 
Goals scored: 61
In summary: The homegrown hero burst onto the scene with a two-goal debut against Midtjylland, swiftly followed by another brace versus Arsenal days later, and he has hardly looked back. He is going from strength to strength under Ole and will surely dominate this chart in the next decade. Bring it on! 
Outstanding goal: With great pace and instinct, our Wythenshawe lad hit a winner in the 2016 Manchester derby that silenced the Etihad Stadium.

1: Wayne Rooney 
Goals scored: 145
In summary: It will come as no surprise to see that the most prolific goal-scorer in Manchester United history tops our chart for the 2010s, with 58 per cent of his 250 goals scored in this decade. His outstanding tally is even more impressive when you factor in the deeper midfield role he occupied in later years. A true club icon.  
Outstanding goal: That magnificent, acrobatic and iconic overhead-kick in the Manchester derby, which continues to win awards to this day.

Video
Rewatch Rooney's iconic goal against Manchester City at Old Trafford.

WHICH IS OUR GOAL OF THE DECADE?

On Tuesday morning, at exactly 07:00 GMT, a shortlist of 11 goals will be announced via our Official App. Fans can then vote for their favourite, before the winner is announced on Friday 3 January.

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