<b>William Anthony Foulkes </b> <i>(born 5 January 1932)</i>

1952-70, 685 starts, 9 goals

Imagine if Cristiano Ronaldo worked down the mines during the week and played for United on Saturdays. That’s what Foulkes did at the start of his Old Trafford career. Playing first as a full back he came into his own when he switched to centre half after he survived the Munich crash. Ten years later, he was an integral member of the side that lifted the European Cup at Wembley in 1968 and he scored in the 3-3 semi-final, second-leg draw with Real Madrid that got United to Wembley. “I’m proud to have been part of it,” he said. “For those of us who lost our friends coming home from a European tie, our victory seemed the right tribute to their memory.”

He helped the club win four First Division titles, one FA Cup and one European Cup. Despite this, he was capped only once for England in 1955.