DENNIS VIOLLET

One of the most prolific goal-scorers in Old Trafford history Dennis Viollet was a goal scoring machine. Viollet was slim, perhaps even frail of appearance, but with lightning pace and top quality control he which could slice through the best defences like a knife through butter. His appearance was deceptive and any defence that underestimated him soon paid the consequences.

He also had the distribution and all round ability to succeed in deep-lying positions which he did at times for United and, later in his career with Stoke City. His only discernible flaw was a lack of aerial ability, however when playing alongside the likes of Tommy Taylor this was not a problem.

One of the original Busby Babes that conquered England in 1956 and 57, together with Taylor he formed a lethal combination. In 1959/60 he really did demonstrate his quality, firing in 32 goals in 36 League matches, more strikes in one season campaign than any United player before or up to the present day. His record still stands and is unlikely to be beaten, the scale of his great achievement is that he outscored other greats such as Jack Rowley, Stan Pearson, Tommy Taylor, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best.

Born in Manchester, Viollet was a product of the United youth team whom Busby eyed as a replacement for aging striker, Stan Pearson. Once an established first team regular in 1953, Viollet, together with his partner-in-goals Tommy Taylor, terrorised First Division defences. Viollet loved the space created by the bustling Taylor who, in turn, scored off the opportunities fashioned by his cohort.

The England manager only selected half of the super United double-act in Tommy Taylor but if England fans were denied the chance of his great talents, United supporters faced no such deprivation in those glorious adventurous pre-Munich days. Anyone who doubted that Dennis was an outstanding performer in his own right was soon answered with proof after Tommy was killed and Dennis made that goal-scoring record. In 1958 he was one of the players who journeyed to Belgrade for the quarter-finals of the European Cup, scoring one of the goals in a 3-3 draw. Viollet escaped the blazing wreckage at Munich Airport, with injuries which were initially thought to be career threatening.

By 1962 Busby was creating a new United team and Viollet was surprisingly transferred to Stoke in January 1962. Later he went to Irish League Linfield, before completing his football career in the United States NASL where he later became a coach. Dennis Viollet died in March 1999 aged 65. Bobby Charlton said of him "I'm delighted his record has still not been broken, its the perfect way to remember him". Viollet was a 1950's Ruud van Nistelrooy or Denis Law, a goal scorer worthy of the great places in Manchester United history.