Manchester United, one of the world’s most successful and beloved clubs, has been blessed with some truly phenomenal goal-scorers throughout its rich history.
From Wayne Rooney’s record-breaking exploits to Sir Bobby Charlton’s golden era, the Red Devils have been treated to some of the greatest marksmen in football.
Wayne Rooney, a bona fide United legend, tops the charts with an amazing 253 goals in 559 appearances.
His 13-year stint at the club was punctuated by countless memorable moments, including his Golden Boy award in 2004 and induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022.
Sir Bobby Charlton, a Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner, sits proudly in second place with 249 goals, a record that stood for decades until Rooney’s arrival.
The mercurial Denis Law completes the podium with an impressive 237 goals in just over 400 appearances.
Other notable mentions include Ryan Giggs, the club’s all-time appearance maker with 963 games played, and Paul Scholes, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, features in the top 20 during his two stints at the club.
Here’s a full list of the top 20 all-time goalscorers for the Red Devils.
- 1. Wayne Rooney – 253 Goals
- 2. Bobby Charlton – 249 Goals
- 3. Denis Law – 237 Goals
- 4. Jack Rowley – 211 Goals
- 5. Dennis Viollet – 179 Goals
- 6. George Best – 179 Goals
- 7. Joe Spence – 168 Goals
- 8. Ryan Giggs – 168 Goals
- 9. Mark Hughes – 163 Goals
- 10. Paul Scholes – 155 Goals
- 11. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 150 Goals
- 12. Stan Pearson – 148 Goals
- 13. David Herd – 145 Goals
- 14. Cristiano Ronaldo – 145 Goals
- 15. Tommy Taylor – 131 Goals
- 16. Marcus Rashford – 128 Goals
- 17. Brian McClair – 127 Goals
- 18. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 126 Goals
- 19. Andy Cole – 121 Goals
- 20. Sandy Turnbull – 101 Goals
1. Wayne Rooney – 253 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 2004-2017
- Man Utd Appearances: 559
Signed from Everton as a teenage prodigy in 2004, Wayne Rooney went on to achieve incredible success at Manchester United, winning every major honor and setting new records.
His goalscoring peak came between 2009 and 2012, but he consistently scored over 10 goals per season for 12 straight years.
In his final season, he surpassed Sir Bobby’s goalscoring record, finishing with an impressive 253 goals – a mark that will stand for years.
2. Bobby Charlton – 249 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1956-1973
- Man Utd Appearances: 758
For many fans, Sir Bobby Charlton is the ultimate Manchester United great.
Although Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney have since surpassed his records, Charlton’s legacy endures.
A product of United’s renowned youth system, he survived the Munich Air Disaster and became a key player in Matt Busby’s second great team, winning two league titles and the European Cup between 1965 and 1968.
Who can forget his two goals in the European Cup final win over Benfica?
3. Denis Law – 237 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1962-1973
- Man Utd Appearances: 404
Denis Law, the “King” of Old Trafford, made an immediate impact by scoring seven minutes into his debut in 1962.
Denis Law, one of Manchester United’s most clinical strikers, still holds the record for the fastest Red to reach 100 goals – an incredible 110 games.
While he never topped the English league scoring charts, his consistency was remarkable, netting 24+ goals in six of his first seven seasons.
Unfortunately, knee injuries in the early 1970s slowed him down, but he’d likely be far ahead on this list if not for those setbacks.
4. Jack Rowley – 211 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1937-1955
- Man Utd Appearances: 424
Jack Rowley, the elder brother of Arthur, may not have been as prolific as his sibling in English football, but he enjoyed a longer and more successful career at the highest level.
He was the main man up front for Sir Matt Busby’s FA Cup and league-winning teams of 1948 and 1952.
What’s truly remarkable about Jack’s record is that most of his 211 goals came after he turned 28, having lost several prime years to the Second World War.
5. Dennis Viollet – 179 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1953-1962
- Man Utd Appearances: 293
Dennis Viollet, a key member of the Busby Babes, was part of United’s most lethal league attack, which scored over 100 league goals three times.
His 32 league goals in the 1959/60 season earned him the club’s first-ever Golden Boot, a feat that remains unbroken.
George Best later matched Viollet’s goal tally but needed 177 more games to do so.
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6. George Best – 179 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1963-1974
- Man Utd Appearances: 470
George Best was a footballing genius whose talents were often overshadowed by his off-field antics.
The mercurial player began his goal-scoring journey with United as a teenager and reached a century of goals for the club at just 22 years old – a record that still stands.
His most remarkable season was 1967/68, when United won the European Cup, and Best scored a phenomenal 32 goals, including the second in the final. It’s a season that still evokes nostalgia in older United fans.
7. Joe Spence – 168 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1919-1933
- Man Utd Appearances: 510
The star of Manchester United in the post-World War I era, was a difficult period for the club as they spent significant time in the Second Division.
A United hero between the two world wars, he held the club’s scoring record for 19 years with 168 goals from the outside right position.
Even 90 years after his departure, Spence remains a top-ten goal-scorer.
8. Ryan Giggs – 168 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1991-2014
- Man Utd Appearances: 963
Giggs is a Manchester United icon whose longevity and consistency are unparalleled.
Making his debut at 17 and retiring at 40, a winger with a steady scoring touch, accumulated goals throughout his record-breaking 963 appearances.
He scored in all but one of his 24 campaigns, including a stunning FA Cup semi-final winner against Arsenal in 1999.
His blend of pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability made him a constant threat throughout his career.
9. Mark Hughes – 163 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1983-1986, 1988-1995
- Man Utd Appearances: 467
Known for his physical style and spectacular volleys, was a key player for United in the late 80s and early 90s.
Hughes, aka Sparky, had two electrifying stints at United, with a two-year detour to Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
He was the club’s top scorer in 1985 and 1986, and upon his return, he continued to find the net with spectacular goals.
Hughes ended six seasons as United’s top or joint-top marksman, a feat only matched by Wayne Rooney.
10. Paul Scholes – 155 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1994-2011, 2012-2013
- Man Utd Appearances: 718
Paul Scholes was a midfield maestro with an eye for goal.
He was the heartbeat of Sir Alex Ferguson’s title-winning teams, starting as a second striker and attacking midfielder before evolving into a deep-lying playmaker.
He scored his 100th goal in 2003 and eventually retired with 150 United strikes.
But he wasn’t done yet! Scholes made a stunning comeback in 2012, adding five more goals to secure a top-ten spot.
11. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 150 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 2001-2006
- Man Utd Appearances: 210
Ruud was a goal-scoring machine, averaging 30 goals per season over five years.
Even after a serious knee injury, his lethal finishing made him one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League.
12. Stan Pearson – 148 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1936-1954
- Man Utd Appearances: 343
Pearson’s career was disrupted by World War II, but he returned to help United win the FA Cup in 1948 and the First Division title in 1952.
His goal-scoring ability and leadership were crucial during this period.
13. David Herd – 145 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1961-1968
- Man Utd Appearances: 265
Signed from Arsenal in 1961, played a major role in United’s post-Munich resurgence.
His two goals in the 1963 FA Cup final helped secure the club’s first trophy after the disaster, and his 33 goals in the 1965/66 season were vital for United’s success.
14. Cristiano Ronaldo – 145 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 2003-2009, 2021-2022
- Man Utd Appearances: 346
CR7 evolved from a promising youngster into a global superstar during his time at Manchester United.
Winning the Ballon d’Or in 2008, Ronaldo’s blend of pace, skill, and finishing made him one of the best players in the world.
15. Tommy Taylor – 131 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1953-1958
- Man Utd Appearances: 191
Tommy Taylor was a prolific striker who scored over 20 league goals in each of his first four full seasons. Tragically, his life and career were cut short in the Munich air disaster at just 26 years old.
16. Marcus Rashford – 128 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 2016-Present
- Man Utd Appearances: 387
Rashford burst onto the scene in 2016 with a brace on his debut against Midtjylland.
Since then, he has become a key player for Manchester United, known for his speed, skill, and knack for scoring important goals.
17. Brian McClair – 127 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1987-1998
- Man Utd Appearances: 471
One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s early signings, scored 31 goals in his debut season.
He was a consistent scorer before transitioning to a deeper role later in his career, contributing to United’s successes in the early 90s.
18. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 126 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1996-2007
- Man Utd Appearances: 366
The “Baby-faced Assassin,” was known for his ability to score crucial goals, including the dramatic winner in the 1999 Champions League final.
Despite knee injuries limiting his later years, Solskjaer’s legacy at United is secure.
19. Andy Cole – 121 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1995-2001
- Man Utd Appearances: 275
Andy Cole made a stunning impact shortly after joining United, becoming the first Premier League player to score five goals in a single game.
His goals were instrumental in United’s dominance during the late 90s.
20. Sandy Turnbull – 101 Goals
- Man Utd Career: 1907-1915
- Man Utd Appearances: 247
Turnbull scored the decisive goal in the 1909 FA Cup final and netted the first goal at Old Trafford in 1910.
His career and life were tragically cut short when he was killed in action during World War I.
