Cristiano Ronaldo fever swept across Old Trafford last summer when the five-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to Manchester United after 12 years with Real Madrid and Juventus.
During his first spell with the Premier League giants, Ronaldo won three English titles and one Champions League medal. Scaling unparalleled highs on these shores, the Portuguese somehow took his career to even greater levels in Spain before he came back as a returning hero.
However, amid intense speculation over his United future, leading into this season, the 37-year-old dampened his legacy to some extent, but there can never be any denying his place in history books.
READ MORE: Ronaldo pictured with black eye
But who are his greatest ever United teammates? Here, we take a closer look at the 10 players who have featured most regularly alongside Ronaldo from when he first stepped through the door as a fresh-faced teenager with the world at his feet in 2003. Some adjustments have been made to work these players into a realistic formation while all statistics were provided by renowned football website Transfermarkt;
Edwin van der Sar (167 matches): Sworn in from Fulham two years after Ronaldo was signed, Van der Sar carved out his reputation with Ajax and Juventus before touching down at Old Trafford. He played 167 times alongside the Portugal superstar and was an immense presence between the posts.
Gary Neville (138 matches): From teaming up with Ronaldo, the United captain turned Sky Sports pundit makes a living talking about the five-time Ballon d'Or winner these days. Neville was, of course, a one-club man and remains one of the most decorated players in English history.
Rio Ferdinand (221 matches): Similarly to Neville, the former West Ham player spends his time in various studios these days. Ferdinand stands top of the pile in this list with 221 appearances alongside Ronaldo.
John O'Shea (215 matches): In second place behind Ferdinand, the Irishman might be a surprising addition on this list, but let's not forgot he was a hugely-reliable and versatile part of the United squad under Sir Alex Ferguson and his best days for the Old Trafford giants came while Ronaldo was also at the club.
Mikael Silvestre (138 matches): For those taking a rough guess, you might have thought Patrice Evra played more times as a left-back while Ronaldo was in the side. However, that is simply not the case and Silvestre has consigned his compatriot to the bench here.
Michael Carrick (127 matches): This one comes with a disclaimer. Carrick was teamed-up with Ronaldo ahead of him during 127 games in his own playing career, while he even managed the former Real and Juventus player when stepping in for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer upon his sacking last December.
Paul Scholes (183 matches): It comes as no surprise to see Scholes on this teamsheet. He would almost certainly be on a 'proper' list of greatest teammates if Ronaldo had to select them himself, too.
Darren Fletcher (155 matches): Fletcher was another trusted squad player throughout the mid-to-late Ferguson years. Sitting in seventh here when it comes to most appearances with Ronaldo, the Scot helped United record an (impressive) average 2.15 points per game alongside him.
Cristiano Ronaldo (n/a): A man who needs no introduction given the above. He has to play in his own team!
Wayne Rooney (206 matches): Rooney might not have played alongside Ronaldo as much as Ferdinand did, but the former England captain and record United goalscorer narrowly pipped the player to follow as the most prolific combination. Rooney and Ronaldo linked-up directly for 25 goals in 206 outings together.
Ryan Giggs (204 matches): Completing the line-up and front three, Giggs and Ronaldo were directly responsible for 22 goals in 204 appearances together - as well as countless memories and multiple trophy wins.
On the bench: Wes Brown (153 matches), Nemanja Vidic (131 matches), Patrice Evra (121 matches), Ji-sung Park (92 matches), Louis Saha (94 matches), Carlos Tevez (80 matches), Ruud van Nistelrooy (91 matches).
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