Hardest United Player of all time?

Russell Beardsmore was involved in a few nasty rucks in the late 80's. My grandad told me Nobby Stiles was the hardest player he ever saw.

most have already been mentioned but




was a handful. in more ways than one by the looks of things.

Jordi Cruyff. Utter nut case by all accounts. The only place he could truely find peace was on the pitch.

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

Was it in Red Ish or UWS they had an article about him a while back?

In Richard Kurt's "Red Devils".

Originally Posted by johnfuego

In Richard Kurt's "Red Devils".

Knew i'd rread it somewhere.

Originally Posted by n48

Jordi Cruyff. Utter nut case by all accounts. The only place he could truely find peace was on the pitch.

He was made of balloons.

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

He was made of balloons.

Crazy balloons.

Originally Posted by marlo

paul ince has to be up there

Incey,incey sort them out.

Got to be kevin moran,whiteside for me.Moran would put his head in anywhere.

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

I seem to remember him fronting up to Vinnie Jones after he tried to kick Cantona off the park once. Vinnie shit it.

That was the cup game when Cantona scored the volley. At the kick off Vinny flew at Eric and upended him, you know to let him know he was around United players then let Vinny know exactly who he was and he disappeared for the rest of the game. £#%&!er.

Originally Posted by believe

That was the cup game when Cantona scored the volley. At the kick off Vinny flew at Eric and upended him, you know to let him know he was around United players then let Vinny know exactly who he was and he disappeared for the rest of the game. £#%&!er.

That's the £#%&!er.

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

That's the £#%&!er.

If Vinny Jones poster on here he'd say "me". He was a £#%&!ing #@&%! of a footballer who carved a career completely out of being a dirty @#%&!.

Originally Posted by believe

If Vinny Jones poster on here he'd say "me". He was a £#%&!ing #@&%! of a footballer who carved a career completely out of being a dirty @#%&!.

yup and the same @#%&! who played Giggs at left back picked him for Wales!

I always remember seeing storming norm in the pre season open day thing and thinking '£#%&! he looks hard'

then on his home debut (IIRC) Stoke at home squaring up to Dave Watson, who was a big old experienced pro and not someone i had down as a softy.

Originally Posted by thatsfuctit

I always remember seeing storming norm in the pre season open day thing and thinking '£#%&! he looks hard'

then on his home debut (IIRC) Stoke at home squaring up to Dave Watson, who was a big old experienced pro and not someone i had down as a softy.

Remember him sorting out McMahon as a sub at Anfield after he'd kicked us off the park. Catalyst to that famous comeback to 3-3.

Remember on United Road a coupla seasons later, McMahon warming up and us singing "normans gonna get you".

Originally Posted by HarkNowHear

I will throw in Stepney as a dark horse as most have already been mentioned.

had to be a reason why stepney would get a game from 71 onwards...

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

Remember him sorting out McMahon as a sub at Anfield after he'd kicked us off the park. Catalyst to that famous comeback to 3-3.

Remember on United Road a coupla seasons later, McMahon warming up and us singing "normans gonna get you".

i remember the previously snidey but tough top boy souness shitting it around norman.

i also nominate:
1. tony fitzpatrick who may not have been the toughest but had a reputation of being able to look after himself, and
2. martin buchan. just ask colin bell...

remember hanson and lawrensen being asked what it was like playing against joe jordan. hanson said nothing and lawrenson started speaking in a higher voice than normal and said something like 'it was unbelievable' and visibly shuddered...

Nobodys mentioned Harry Gregg, went into the stand and chased some bloke around for shouting abuse at him.

Originally Posted by originalhogg

Nobodys mentioned Harry Gregg, went into the stand and chased some bloke around for shouting abuse at him.

Aye a hardman, a gentleman and a genuine hero.

Originally Posted by thatsfuctit

a few of the books i read suggest he was strong as an ox and not to be £#%&!ed with, i seem to remember reading about him picking another player up with one hand and launching him into the showers after find the toes cut off his socks again or some jape

Keane in his book implies Schmikes was a bluffer and faker when it came to that.

No mention of Les Sealey? The bravest footballer I've ever seen, to the point of madcap lunacy.

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

Remember him sorting out McMahon as a sub at Anfield after he'd kicked us off the park. Catalyst to that famous comeback to 3-3.

Remember on United Road a coupla seasons later, McMahon warming up and us singing "normans gonna get you".:D

Remember it well.

Big Norm - I love the @#%&!.