Denis Irwin has insisted that one standout Manchester United legend is the best finisher of all time ahead of Wayne Rooney and fellow treble winner Andy Cole.
Wayne Rooney is Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer and the 40-year-old iconic former England striker netted 253 times in 559 matches for the Red Devils.
The United legend eclipsed Red Devils icon Sir Bobby Charlton in the goalscoring chart at Old Trafford ahead of his exit from the Premier League club in 2017.
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Rooney is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League strikers of all time and enjoyed a remarkable spell at United after Sir Alex Ferguson signed him in 2004.
Andy Cole, much like Man Utd icon Rooney, has etched his status in the history books as one of the most prolific finishers in the history of the Premier League.
The 54-year-old former England and United striker scored 121 times in 275 matches for the Red Devils during his time under iconic former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Man Utd legend Denis Irwin snubs both Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole for his best finisher of all time pick
Denis Irwin shared the pitch with Andy Cole and the pair were a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous Manchester United treble-winning side in the 1998-99 campaign.
Despite the exploits of Cole and Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford, Irwin’s eyes were elsewhere in United’s history when it came to naming the best finisher of all time.
Speaking to ESPN, the 60-year-old legendary former Man Utd full-back did not think twice to pick the iconic Ruud van Nistelrooy as the best finisher of all time.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy for Manchester United,” he said in response to the question.
Irwin briefly played alongside prolific former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy before he left Old Trafford in 2002 and moved to Wolves on a free transfer.
Can you recall the player who scored two goals for Man Utd, including in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match?
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s prolific Man Utd legacy speaks volumes about the Dutch legend’s remarkable finishing
Ruud van Nistelrooy spent five seasons at Man Utd and the 49-year-old Dutchman netted an impressive 150 times in 219 matches for the Red Devils.
Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2001, the Red Devils legend lifted a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup during his time under Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, Van Nistelrooy’s relationship with Ferguson splintered towards the tail end of his spell at Old Trafford and the prolific former Netherlands striker was axed.
United sanctioned the sale of Red Devils fan-favourite Van Nistelrooy in 2006, with La Liga outfit Real Madrid snapping him up in a reported deal worth only £10.2m.
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