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Cristiano Ronaldo to wear No. 7 for Manchester United return

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/2/21

It's official: International superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will remain CR7 for his anticipated Manchester United return.

United confirmed Thursday Ronaldo will wear the iconic No. 7 shirt after signing for the Premier League club from Serie A outfit Juventus ahead of the close of the summer transfer window on Tuesday.

As Sky Sports explained, a potential "shirt-gate" controversy was brewing because Edinson Cavani had previously been registered as United's No. 7 for the ongoing European season. However, No. 21 became available after winger Daniel James completed his move to Leeds United, and Cavani accepted that shirt after he received the necessary permission to make the switch from the Premier League because he wears the same number for the Uruguayan national team.

Ronaldo thanked Cavani via a statement shared on social media:

A mark of the man ❤️@ECavaniOfficial @Cristiano #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2021

Earlier in the day, Portugal released Ronaldo six days ahead of schedule because he is suspended for next Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan due to yellow-card accumulation. The 36-year-old was also set to participate in Saturday's friendly against Qatar but will instead train in Manchester for his United re-debut versus Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sept. 11.

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