As it’s always been said in football, it’s a young man’s game. Well some players prove that everyone’s young, and age doesn’t matter anymore. Manchester United has seen some heroes over the years who have still managed to somehow score goals into their late 30s, showing you can put some experience to good use alongside your youth.
From club legends to surprise heroes, the players who scored when many of them had already retired from the sport have left an impact on the world. Some did it like the best they could, others had to take advantage of their intelligence and position to beat defenders of half their age. That’s why Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Teddy Sheringham all appear below, with an occasion where an incredible goal took place.
In this article we talk about the 10 oldest goal scorer for Manchester United in Premier League history. Who stands out? Learn more below!
Top 10 oldest goal scorer for Manchester United in Premier League
| Players | Age | Total goals | Total Assist |
1 | Ryan Giggs | 39 | 109 | 162 |
2 | Paul Scholes | 37 | 107 | 55 |
3 | Teddy Sheringham | 37 | 31 | 23 |
4 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 37 | 103 | 37 |
5 | Zlatan Ibrahimović | 36 | 17 | 5 |
6 | Nemanja Vidić | 34 | 15 | 4 |
7 | Wayne Rooney | 34 | 183 | 93 |
8 | Gary Pallister | 34 | 5 | 5 |
9 | Juan Mata | 34 | 33 | 26 |
10 | Robin van Persie | 31 | 48 | 21 |
1. Ryan Giggs
Total PL Goals: 109 | Total PL Assists: 162
Goals per match: 0.17
Headed Goals: 1
Goals with right foot: 3
Goals with left foot: 18
Penalties: 2
Free kicks: 2
Former Manchester United captain Chris Giggs has left the club, having spent more than 20 years at the club, at the end of his playing career, having helped win 13 league titles during a nearly 21-year spell.
2. Paul Scholes
Total PL Goals: 107 | Total PL Assists: 55
Goals per match: 0.21
Headed Goals: 3
Goals with right foot: 13
Goals with left foot: 12
It was one of the great re-unions between 2012 and 2019, when he scored in the 4-0 win over Wigan, when he proved once again that he was one of the greatest footballers ever to play for Manchester United.
3. Teddy Sheringham
Total PL Goals: 31 | Total PL Assists: 23
Sheringham was a fine finisher who looked more at ease behind the striker than at pace, who scored against Newcastle on the opening day of the 2003/04 campaign and was among United’s top two veteran forwards at the time of his retirement.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Total PL Goals: 103 | Total PL Assists: 37
Goals per match: 0.44
Headed Goals: 11
Goals with right foot: 61
Goals with left foot: 12
Penalties: 14
CR7 returned to Old Trafford in 2021 and his first appearance for United was sensational. But what made it all so special for the Portugal star was his last Premier League appearance, a 2-1 win over Everton in 2022. A fitting end to a remarkable career , five times Ballon d’Or winner, but also with an amount of controversy.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Total PL Goals: 17 | Total PL Assists: 5
Goals per match: 0.52
Headed Goals: 4
Goals with right foot: 11
Goals with left foot: 2
Penalties: 2
Zlatan wasn’t just a signing; he was a statement. His comeback goal against Newcastle in 2017, after a serious knee injury, was classic Zlatan, full of confidence. His short time at United brought silverware and unforgettable moments.
6. Nemanja Vidić
Total PL Goals: 15 | Total PL Assists: 4
He was a real defender, a strong tackler at the back, with an eye for goal and as a captain of Manchester United – Vidi would be considered one of the greatest to ever work at the back.
7. Wayne Rooney
Total PL Goals: 183 | Total PL Assists: 93
United’s all-time top scorer made every goal count. His final United goal in the Premier League came against Burnley in 2020, reminding fans of his brilliance. Rooney will always be remembered as a club icon.
8. Gary Pallister
Total PL Goals: 5 | Total PL Assists: 5
What a huge centre back, who rarely created chances, but did score the one time against Liverpool in 1997, that should be treasured. Pallister was a vital figure in United’s early Premier League success.
9. Juan Mata
Total PL Goals: 52 | Total PL Assists: 54. Chelsea and Man United
Goals per match: 0.19
Headed Goals: 2
Goals with right foot: 7
Goals with left foot: 43
Penalties: 3
Free kicks: 8
The last goal Mata scored for United came against Leicester in 2022 but the Barcelona mastermind was all about balance, creativity and deftness, earning his place among United’s finest players.
10. Robin van Persie
Total PL Goals: 48 | Total PL Assists: 21
RVP had a massive impact at United, especially at the end of the 2012/12 title-winning campaign, his final Premier League goal in United’s 3-0 win over Tottenham in 2015 was one of the neat finishes of his career, and then there was his top scorer at United when they last won the title under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Current Manchester United Player Who Can Break Record
Bruno Fernandes
Age: 29
PL Goals for United: 62
PL Assists for United: 50
Europa League goals: 20
Europa Assists: 15
Why?
Bruno is already one of United’s best midfielders right now.His leadership and fitness suggest he could keep playing until his mid-to-late 30s.
He scores penalties and free kicks and long range goals. Perfect form as an aging playmaker.
Casemiro
Age: 32
PL Goals for United: 8
PL Assists for United: 5
Why?
He ‘s a defensive midfielder but loves to score from the long range. If he stays at United for a few more years it sounds like he can score into his mid 30s.
Christian Eriksen
Age: 32
PL Goals for United: 2
PL Assists for United: 11
Why?
Eriksen is a creative midfielder like Giggs and Scholes. He ‘s not the fastest player on the pitch, but the way he gives the passes and shots are dangerous.
If he ‘s injury free he may score past the age of 35.
Expert Opinions
Much of the football world thinks Bruno Fernandes is the best shot at cracking this list.
Stat Projection (If Bruno Plays Until 35)
Expected total Premier League goals: 80-90+
Expected total Premier League assists: 60-75+
Likely last PL goal: Age 35-36
What United Legends Say
On Bruno Fernandes:
“If he stayed at United long enough, he could become one of our greatest midfielders of all time – even his goals will prove that. “
On Casemiro:
“People seem to forget he’s not just a defensive player, he’s got the killer instinct of goal. He’ll certainly be scoring at 35, yes he will.
Manchester United’s oldest scorers have proven that experience and skill can help a player to remain at the top for years. Man United legends like Giggs, Scholes and Ronaldo proved – as old is old – no respect for results when it comes to creating impact on the pitch. And now, with stars like Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro still at their peak – who will be the next veteran to score for United?
Last Thoughts
Manchester United’s storied club of legends have kept scoring into their 80s, but how do they stack up against the oldest goal scorers in other Premier League clubs?
Teddy Sheringham is the oldest Premier League goal scorer at 40 years and 268 days, a record that still stands. David Moyes/The SunStanford United’s oldest striker, Ryan Giggs (39 years, 86 days), is also a long-time veteran of English football and is one of the most respected figures in the game.
Compared to other clubs, United’s older strikers are some of the most prolific in the Premier League. And Giggs, Scholes and Ronaldo are all over 100 Premier League goals. Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) and Ronnie Potgieter (Liverpool) scored far fewer but had an impact. The oldest United player, Gary McAllister, scored 79 goals during his career, but also had a big influence.
One thing United are famous for though is that many of their oldest goalscorers were not just strikers: players like Giggs, Scholes, and even central defenders Nemanja Vidi would still score in their mid-to-late 30s.
