Quarantine has been a funny old time. People stuck inside having to find ways to entertain themselves with no football, no pubs or restaurants and perhaps the most drastic, no barbershops. Not having access to regular haircuts has got some people trying their hands at home and giving them self a good old buzzcut (some better than others). With that in the mind and with the skinhead becoming one of the most popular haircuts in the current climate, let’s take a look at some of the best ever skinheads to wear the famous shirt of Manchester United as suggested by you.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Some of the players suggested didn’t quite make the final five but deserve a shout-out regardless, so commiserations to the shaved heads of William Prunier, Juan Sebastian Veron, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
5- FABIEN BARTHEZ
One of the many goalkeepers signed in an attempt to replace Peter Schmeichel, Barthez had one of the most legendary bald heads in the game. Known for his fear inducing stepovers in his own box, Barthez once played on the left wing for United in a pre-season friendly. Unfortunately, despite managing to stick the ball through the legs of the opposing defender with his first touch, his dreams of being a bald Johan Cruyff were never fully lived out. On sunny days at Old Trafford, Barthez managed to reflect the sunlight off his head and distract opposition attackers like some form of French, goalkeeping lighthouse (that fact is definitely true, and I’ve not made it up I promise…).
4- DAVID BECKHAM
The man of many hairstyles. Growing up I’m pretty sure I copied nearly every style Beckham made trendy, including his shaved head. The haircut he sported in 2000 that was dubbed “the short Becks and side” by many newspapers is still probably one of Beckham’s best and most iconic trims. He would be higher up on this list if not for his constant hair transformations and the fact that he wasn’t truly a skinhead, but he earns his spot on this list for being one of the only men that can make a skinhead look fashionable.
29 Sep 2001: David Beckham of Man Utd shoots to score their 5th and final goal during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur played at White Hart Lane in London. Man Utd won the match 5 – 3. \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport
3- JAAP STAM
Yip Jaap Stam is a big Dutch man…. you know the rest. Few sights would have intimidated an opposition attacker quite like our Jaap, head gleaming, ready to hand out some crunching challenges. A mainstay in United’s treble winning squad, Stam became a cult hero amongst the fans and despite a controversial transfer to Lazio after only three seasons at Old Trafford, he remains a firm fan favourite, probably not just for his bald head but I imagine it helps.
2- ERIC CANTONA
The King. What more needs to be said about him. An icon of the game and a United legend. He deserves his place on this list solely for THAT goal against Sunderland. The run, the chip, the celebration. All whilst sporting a perfectly shaved skinhead. A moment that had kids across the country asking their mum to get the clippers out, turning up their collars and heading into the garden to practice the celebration. Iconic.
1- ROY KEANE
There could be only one winner. Roy Keane. What more needs to be said. Not much could turn the opposition’s blood cold quite like the sight of Roy Keane with a freshly shaved skinhead. Looking like the human form of a Pit Bull, barking orders and handing out crunching challenges like they were going out of fashion. A terrifying prospect for any player to come up against. Though these days he may be sporting a full head of hair and a scruffy beard like some sort of grizzled TV detective, his legendary skinhead rightfully earns him top spot on this list.
26 Aug 2001: Roy Keane of Manchester United tackles Darius Vassell of Aston Villa during the Barclaycard FA Premiership match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park, Birmingham. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT
