David Beckham
© Getty Images
With all the celebrity and superstardom that surrounds David Beckham now, it is easy to forget that first and foremost he was an exceptionally talented footballer.
Another member of Manchester United's 'Class of 92', Beckham burst onto the scene with a goal from inside his own half on the opening day of the 1996-97 season, spotting Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan off his line and producing an inch-perfect lob to provide one of the defining moments of the Premier League's history.
Beckham had actually made his debut for the club four years previously, but it wasn't until 1995-96 that he became a first-team regular for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, landing his first Premier League title that season.
Arguably Beckham's finest hour in a United shirt came in the 1999 Champions League final, where he provided the two corners which sparked the remarkable stoppage-time comeback against Bayern Munich, completing the treble in the process.
The former England captain's performances that year led to him finishing second in the World Player of the Year vote, while also being named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.
In all, Beckham scored 85 goals in 394 appearances for United, including 62 in 265 Premier League outings, helping the club to six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League before his much-publicised switch to Real Madrid in 2003.
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Barney Corkhill
