Manchester United are a club whose global pull is perhaps unrivalled, with widespread support in every continent. One of the club's most popular regions is North America where, particularly in the USA, supporters make their love for the Red Devils known such as on the recent 2025-26 pre-season tour.
The USMNT, Mexico, and Canada are the three major powers on the North American continent and are inevitably the three countries represented by players in the club's history. But South America has also birthed many famous faces who have become heroes at Old Trafford.
We rank the best players from the Americas region in United's history, based on longevity, performance and success. They don't have to have played for said nation during their careers but have a connection through either birthplace or bloodline.
Top 10 best North American players in Man United history
10 - Diego Forlan
We start with Diego Forlan who finished his career as one of the best strikers in South American football history. But his time at United left much to be admired, unable to live up to expectations and often playing a bit-part role amid Ruud van Nistelrooy's dominance up top.
There's no doubt Forlan was talented, and he won over fans with his passionate personality while also getting his hands on the Premier League title. He managed 17 goals in 98 games during two and a half seasons.
9 - Alejandro Garnacho
If it weren't for Alejandro Garnacho's petulance he may be higher on this list but he's such a poor professional that he has squandered a successful United career. His mischief aside, you can't look past his rise at Old Trafford, including the opener in the 2-1 FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Garnacho was supposed to be the heir to his favourite player Cristiano Ronaldo but he's not and will never come close to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. A fine talent but unfortunately doesn't have what it takes to make it at United.
8 - Gabriel Heinze
It may come as a surprise to hear that Gabriel Heinze picked up the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award in his debut season. But the Argentine left-back's exploits while with United sometimes go under the radar because of his controversial request to join Liverpool.
Heinze spent around three years with the Red Devils and possessed the winning mentality that Sir Alex Ferguson demanded from his players. He was a reliable full-back but once he ran into injury troubles he handed that left-back spot to the superior Patrice Evra.
7 - Owen Hargreaves
While Owen Hargreaves and United will never truly be back on great terms, there's no questioning his impressive displays when the Canadian-born midfielder was when fit. That was his problem at Old Trafford, constant injury setbacks that plagued what could have been a legendary career with the club.
Ferguson said Hargreaves was "too nice" to make it as a United player. The former England international argues that the Reds nearly jeopardised his career through their treatment of injuries. But assessing him on his ability and success, he was a brilliantly versatile midfielder who could net a free kick or two.
6 - Casemiro
Once Casemiro calls time on his career, United fans will look back on his time with the club and ponder what could have been had he arrived years earlier. The Brazilian's best years were behind him but he had the aura and talent to propell Erik ten Hag's side to the League Cup with stellar showings that felt like Michael Carrick was back.
Casemiro's fall off in the 2023-24 campaign was alarming and he looked a shell of his usual dominant best, losing a yard of pace. But he has shown resilience to bounce back under Ruben Amorim and he clearly does love the club.
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5 - Rafael
There have been many unsung heroes during their time at the Theatre of Dreams and Rafael was one of them. The gimmick given to the Brazilian was that he was part of a twin duo with Fabio who served as full-backs.
Rafael was more than just a marketing tool; he was a workhorse, a bundle of energy on the right flank, whose consistency earned him cult hero status. He won titles, bled Red and deserves more recognition as one of the club's right-backs.
4 - Fred
United didn't know what they had until it was gone after selling Fred to Fenerbahce in 2023. Was he world-class? Absolutely not, but he was most definitely disrespected by a portion of the fanbase and rival fans who didn't understand the job he did in the middle of the park.
Fred was a handyman whose Brazilian background allowed him to showboat in transition while also helping put out fires defensively. He was one of the club's better performers of the post-Sir Alex era and some are now realising his partnership with Scott McTominay perhaps wasn't the problem.
3 - Carlos Tevez
We hate to do this because of the manner of Carlos Tevez's exit and his role in firing rivals City to Premier League dominance. But the Argentine forward was class while at Old Trafford, an attacking gem who linked up with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo with aplomb.
Tevez struck 34 goals and provided 14 assists in 99 games for United. He was part of the Champions League winning side in 2008 and Rooney said he's his favourite strike partner of his career. Unfortunately, he's also one of the biggest villains in the Reds' history.
2 - Javier Hernandez
Every once in a while United would scour the market and find an unknown talent who immediately hit the ground running under Ferguson. That was the case for Javier 'Chicarito' Hernandez who arrived from Chivas in 2010 and would be the perfect super-sub, showing similarities to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Hernandez was extremely likable, became an instant hit and even netted a title-winning goal against Chelsea. The Mexican striker was small but a force to be reckoned with in the air and undoubtedly a success.
1 - Antonio Valencia
It's frustrating that Antonio Valencia was described as Cristiano Ronaldo's replacement when signed from Wigan Athletic in 2009. That gave the Ecuadorian winger big boots to fill, an impossible task to be honest.
Valencia instead adapted to the wide-man role, developing his physique to become a powerful right-back after years spent at right-wing. His strength saw him battle with tricky attackers and his lethal right foot could often cause damage such as his screamer against Everton.
The former Red Devils captain is the best talent from both South and North America to ever pull on a United shirt. His grit, dedication and longevity make him our top choice.
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