Dunne, who died on Monday at the age of 78, made 535 appearances for the Reds between 1960 and 1973, and was an integral part of the side that claimed the 1968 European Cup.
The Irishman is one of three full-backs to feature in the club’s top 10 list of leading appearance-makers, but Crerand ranks him even higher than modern United greats Gary Neville (602 games) and Denis Irwin (529).
“Tony Dunne was the best,” said the Scotsman, when we spoke to him via phone earlier today. “United have had some great full-backs, but Tony was special.