10 Players Who Played For Both Aston Villa And Manchester United
3. Dwight Yorke
A prolific forward for both clubs, Yorkie joined the West Midlanders in 1989 and enjoyed nine fruitful seasons at Villa Park, scoring 97 goals and helping them to their last major trophy: the 1996 League Cup. Yorke had been a huge fan favourite at Villa Park and many of them were sad to see him leave for United.
The Trinidad and Tobago international signed for the Reds in 1998 and was their top scorer during the best season in the club’s history, culminating in the famous Treble in 1999. He is one of the greatest players who played for both Aston Villa and Manchester United.
2. Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel is one of the finest imports to ever play in the Premier League. He is one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation. Following his arrival at United in 1991, he won five league titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup and, of course, the Champions League as part of United’s incredible treble.
He left Manchester United in 1999 to play for Sporting CP but returned to the Premier League in 2001 with Aston Villa. It is probably fair to say he was past his peak by then, but what a peak it was. He is easily one of the best players to have featured for both United and Villa.
1. Paul McGrath
Deemed surplus to requirements by Alex Ferguson in 1989, McGrath made the switch to Aston Villa, where he excelled. Manchester United even made attempts to persuade him to retire in ’89, but he wanted to continue playing.
McGrath played some of the best football of his career at Villa, despite recurrent problems in his knees. Having won the FA Cup with United, he achieved two second-place finishes in the league with Villa, won the League Cup twice and won the PFA Player of the Year award in 1993.
McGrath is still held in so much regard by the Aston Villa the fans they have nicknamed him “God” and his name is still chanted on the terraces to this day.
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