Four players should be considered for Man United No.7 shirt

Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, the former and latest holder of the No.7 shirt, Manchester United have yet to allocate their most renowned shirt number.

The No.7 shirt holds such prestige, aura, and an esteemed legacy amongst Manchester United fans, and it has earned such legendary status among the people close to the club because of those who have donned and succeeded in it. 

The likes of George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all worn the illustrious Manchester United’s No.7, with the latter embracing the shirt number on two separate occasions.

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The arrivals of Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer in the winter window could’ve been a chance for the number to be occupied, even if it was only short-term. The Austrian midfielder, Sabitzer, wore the number during his time at RB Leipzig, so it could’ve been a realistic possibility he may have requested it. 

But, due to the unique significance of that precise club number, United may well have chosen to keep the number unassigned. 

This leaves the possibilities of the number to bring up next season; here, we look at four possible choices available at the club.

Marcus Rashford

First of all, it’s essential to remember that Rashford currently holds a prestigious number of his own. The Carriginton graduate rapidly rose through the Reds ranks and was eventually awarded the No.10 shirt in 2018. 

Still, in the eight years he has played in the senior squad, he has gained the experience and pressure that come with being a United player and has shown the mesmerising skill, flair, and ever-growing confidence that is symbolic with the No.7. 

Rashofrd has produced great during his time with the historical number and has shown the mighty pressure that does come when a player obtains a high-profile shirt at the club is minimal to him. 

Going from the No.10 to No.7 would represent Rashford’s growing status within the club, which reflects his progression as a player.

Also, considering the fact that significant summer target Harry Kane dons the No.10 shirt for current club Tottenham, this summer could see a shift in numbers should Kane want to keep the number he has become so synonymous with.

Antony

Unlike Rashford, his attacking compatriot Antony has not yet acquired the mass experience of representing the Reds, and the immense pressure that comes with that year after year. 

However, he possesses a similar amount of self-belief – if not more – and talent as many of the club’s legendary prior No.7s. He does not look to be the sort of player on whom the jersey number would have a negative impact. In fact, he strikes people as the type of player to embrace the challenge of the number. 

To sweeten the deal, Antony wore the No.7 during his time in Sao Paulo; A number he switched from when he went to Ajax and adopted the numbers 39 and 11 instead.

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Alejandro Garnacho

Garnacho has made his admiration for Ronaldo public since he broke through into the first team. Playing alongside your idol is one thing, but taking over their iconic club shirt is another. 

Ronaldo arrived from abroad all those years ago at the tender age of 18 and became a gradual hit within the club – a path that many would agree Garnacho is mirroring quite well. 

The scruffy hair, high socks that were well above the knees, and fiery attitude on and off the pitch are all characteristics that United fans would now associate with a superstar-to-be. 

Alongside the flamboyant playstyle — the No. 7 shirt would be a massive reward, but one you could imagine him embracing.

However, there is a questioned to be posed – has Alejandro Garnacho done enough in a United shirt so far to earn the right to wear the No.7?

Jadon Sancho

Arguably the most realistic option to take over the shirt, Sancho has quite the affinity with the number; having worn it numerous times and, more famously, as the No.7 for Dortmund during his four-year spell there. 

Many would’ve expected him to take the number when he arrived at Old Trafford, but Edinson Cavani, the current holder of the shirt at the time, was eventually displaced by the late arrival of Ronaldo. 

However, both the names just mentioned have left the club, signalling an expected change from Sacnho’s ’25’ to the famed ‘7’ – with many speculating that Sancho chose the No.25 as the two numbers add to make seven.

Sancho’s form in a United shirt hasn’t been what was expected upon his arrival, but after months away from the club, going through an individual training program, and a shift to a more central role— which benefits his intricate skillset — an upturn in form is expected.

There is one more possibility; that the next player to don the shirt does not yet play at Old Trafford. But only time will tell who that could be…