Who was the greater player for Manchester United: Paul Scholes or Eric Cantona?

After 17 glorious seasons at Old Trafford, Paul Scholes will enjoy a final match in the red of Manchester United in his testimonial match against New York Cosmos on Friday.

Scholes announced his retirement from playing after May’s Champions League final defeat to Barcelona at Wembley, where he came off the substitutes’ bench, with the Englishman saying his best days were now behind him.

It is sure to be an emotional evening for the players, management and fans as the Red Devils say farewell to one of their favourite sons, who will now take on a coaching role at the club.

But the occasion has been boosted even further with another United legend, Eric Cantona, returning to manage the visitors and pit his managerial wits against former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

While Cantona only spent four-and-a-half years at Old Trafford – far fewer than Scholes – his legacy at the club is also secured.

Fans at Old Trafford still sing the Frenchman’s name at matches and will do again on Friday after his controversial and spell-binding time with the club kicked off English football’s Premier League era in stunning style.

But as both men prepare to take the acclaim in the star-studded testimonial clash, Goal.com asks who really was the greater player for Manchester United?

Does Scholes’ longevity, commitment and greater number of accolades play in his favour, or does the man still known as King Eric’s flair, flamboyance and flawed genius mean his influence will always hold greater power?

Here are the stats from their respective Manchester United careers:

Who do YOU think was the greater player for Manchester United: Scholes or Cantona?

Let us know your thoughts by voting in our poll below and leaving your comments – the best of which will be featured in the build-up to the testimonial clash.