Ahead of this evening’s fixture, let’s look at players who have featured for two of the most iconic Premier League clubs in the modern era.
There have been many players who have made the short journey from Salford to Merseyside (or vice-versa).
But who would make the top five? And in what order should they be judged as per both their playing talent and their overall success as a professional?
5. Louis Saha
The French striker famously endured an injury-rampant spell across his five seasons at Old Trafford. Yet, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand have earmarked Saha as one of the best striker’s to play for United during the 2000’s and most underrated Premier League player.
The forward scored 42 goals in 124 appearances for United before making the move to Everton after lifting the Champions League trophy in 2008.
He scored 35 goals in 115 games for the Toffees. Saha also won two Premier League titles during his half-decade spell with United.
Although there may be other players with a higher pedigree trophy-wise, Saha’s appreciation from fans and players alike highlights his remarkable talent – a talent which should have shone much brighter if he had not have suffered so many spells on the side-lines.
4. Romelu Lukaku
Although many fans’ opinions of Lukaku is rather sour given the lack of form towards the end of his short spell with United and his distaste towards the club, it is hard to deny his great goal-scoring record.
Lukaku averaged over one goal per two games for Everton across all competitions. His total record was 87 goals in 166 appearances, before he moved to United for £75million in 2017.
Much was expected from the Belgian after his superior displays as a target man in the Premier League for multiple seasons.
José Mourinho caught Lukaku’s form. He scored 27 goals in 51 games under the Portuguese’s tutelage.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s desired style of play, however, did not suit 6 ft 3 Lukaku.
Inter Milan shortly came knocking and Lukaku went on to enjoy an incredibly fruitful spell at the San Siro, winning the Scudetto in his second season. He has also become Belgium’s top scorer of all time, with 68 goals in 102 games.
The less written about his most recent form, the better.
3. Andrei Kanchelskis
The speedy Russian helped establish United’s iconic style of play: attacking football, direct, fast wingers, relentless.
Kanchelskis won two Premier League titles with Sir Alex Ferguson and was individually congratulated for his efforts at the club, winning the Sir Matt Busby player of the year at the end of the 1994-95 campaign.
Playing on the right-wing, Kanchelskis notched 36 goals in 161 appearances for United.
He joined Everton directly after his time in Manchester, scoring 16 goals in 32 League appearances for the blue side of Liverpool.
2. Mark Hughes
PFA Players’ player on two occasions; two-time Premier League winner with United; four-time FA Cup winner; European Cup Winners’ Cup winner.
Mark Hughes has become recognised as a symbol for the beginning of Sir Alex Ferguson’s success with United.
After a high goal-scoring spell following his promotion to the first-team, Hughes moved abroad to play for Barcelona and Bayern Munich before returning to United.
Upon his return, Hughes was seen as a cultured, experienced professional who would play an intrinsic role in bringing United through to title-challengers. With 116 goals in 352 games during his second spell, it is clear why this was the case.
Although Hughes enjoyed a less-than successful period with Everton towards the latter end of his career, his qualities displayed at Old Trafford must not be forgotten; despite his bizarre choice to manage Manchester City over a decade ago.
1. Wayne Rooney
Does there need to be an explanation for why Rooney is our number one pick?
Some fans – including both United and general football – still hold the absurd view that Rooney was never quite world-class.
It is hard to believe anyone can think that a player who has won five Premier League titles, one Champions League, two PFA Players’ player of the season, two Fans’ player of the season, Golden Boy award, was included in FIFPro World XI, is top goal scorer of all time for Manchester United and England’s national team can be described as anything less than one of the greatest players to have walked in the Premier League – at the very least, world class.
Wayne Rooney is recognised as an Evertonian legend and a Manchester United hero: a rare and extremely notable accomplishment.
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