Manchester United’s Number 7 Jersey: A Legacy in Decline

The Manchester United number 7 shirt has gone down in history as one worn only by the best of the best. It was a protected number for a long period of time, only being given to those who truly deserved it.

In recent times, the legacy of the ‘famous’ Manchester United number 7 shirt has declined. Last Word on Football looks at the history of Manchester United’s number 7 shirt and why it’s on a downward trajectory in recent years.

The Fading Legend of Manchester United’s Most Famous Shirt

Historic Significance

Although he didn’t only wear the number seven, George Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever don the number 7 shirt at Old Trafford. He played in a time in which a player’s number was determined by their position, so the Ballon d’Or winner wore the shirt whenever he played on the right wing for the Reds.

The next notable name to carry the Manchester United number 7 shirt was Bryan Robson. The midfielder was a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad in the Scotsman’s early career at United and went on to become the longest-serving captain in the club’s history. A legend in name and nature, Robson truly made the number seven shirt something that needed to be respected and worn by someone of note.

With the introduction of squad numbers during the 1993/94 Premier League season, the number seven shirt was given to none other than Eric Cantona. The Frenchman, signing from rivals Leeds United, is arguably the most charismatic player in Manchester United’s history. Not only did he wear the famous number seven shirt, but the popped collar and the nonchalant way he would play the game made him a club legend.

Editor of United’s fanzine and co-host of The Athletic’s ‘Talk of the Devils’ podcast, Andy Mitten, argued that the allure of the number seven shirt began with ‘King Eric’, “The 7 wasn’t a big thing at United until Cantona”.

The Two Most Well-Known Number 7s

After Cantona retired, possibly Manchester United’s most famous number 7, took over the mantle of the shirt. ‘Golden Balls’, David Beckham took over from Cantona and had big boots to fill. Having worn the 24 and later 10, Beckham was given the number 7. After graduating as one of the Class of ’92, he is one of the most talented players to have come through the doors at The Cliff training ground. He wore the shirt when he whipped in the corner in arguably United’s most famous game, the Champions League final in 1999, and held onto it until he was sold to Real Madrid in 2003.

If Beckham isn’t the most famous player to wear Manchester United’s number 7, the next man could easily take that mantle. As a teenager, Alex Ferguson put his full faith in Cristiano Ronaldo, giving him the famous shirt. To say he grew into the shirt is an understatement. Speaking on the matter, the future Ballon d’Or winner would say, “All players know, in Manchester and around the world as well, that the number seven is a mythic number at this club”.

Ronaldo would go on to win three Premier Leagues, two League Cups, one FA Cup, one Champions League and the Club World Cup during his time at Old Trafford and would also win his first of five Ballon d’Or trophies.

It could be argued that Ronaldo was the last of the truly great Manchester United number 7s, and it’s after he left in 2009 that the decline of the number 7 legacy began.

The Start of the Rot

After Ronaldo followed the Beckham model of Manchester United to Real Madrid, the number 7 shirt became available.

Liverpool legend, Michael Owen, signed in a shock move to Old Trafford and took the number 7 shirt in a controversial move by the club. Owen played almost 300 times for United’s biggest rivals, and yet, he was handed the most prestigious shirt at his new side. He would play 52 times in three seasons for United, notching 17 goals, but was not offered a new deal after this.

Bought as Ronaldo’s replacement, Antonia Valencia took the shirt during the 2012/13 season, reverting back to his number 25 after just one season. Valencia is, without a doubt, one of the most steady, respected players to grace the turf at Old Trafford and is certainly one who goes under the radar. He never held the aura that a Cantona, Beckham or Ronaldo had, but was a fine pick for the number 7.

In a worrying turn of events, the famous Manchester United number 7 was shelved during the 2013-14 season, with no one seemingly deserving of the shirt. The next three men to don the 7 are three of the worst signings in Manchester United’s history.

Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez each held the shirt over a six-year period, none of whom are remembered fondly at Old Trafford. A combined eight goals across six years show just how poorly they all performed for United and tarnished the number 7 shirt, possibly beyond repair.

Uptick in Form of Number 7s

Arriving from Paris Saint-Germain, Edinson Cavani had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, only enhanced by being given the Manchester United number 7 shirt. Finally, United had someone donning their most famous number who actually lived up to expectations and had someone to celebrate for the first time since Ronaldo left in 2009. Cavani notched 17 goals, 10 of which came in the league and was a great servant to the club during his first season.

After the return of Ronaldo, the Portuguese star was given the shirt with Cavani’s blessing, and fans again had something to cheer. Was the allure of the Manchester United number 7 back? People forget just how good Ronaldo was during his first season back at Old Trafford because of the way his second stint ended; however, having scored 24 goals in 38 games, it’s hard to ignore the impact he had on his return. The iconic number 7 yet again had a worthy holder, and it had fans excited yet again.

After his unceremonious second exit, the number 7 shirt went to Mason Mount after being vacant for half a season.

It’s safe to say Mount hasn’t lived up to expectations. The former Chelsea man has been on the treatment table more than on the pitch, and once again, the number 7 shirt’s legacy is rapidly declining the longer it sits on his shoulders.

Is the Legacy dead?

With the illustrious history of having legendary, flair-driven, aura-demanding players don the Manchester United number 7 shirt, it’s safe to say that there have been some barren years.

After Ronaldo’s Old Trafford departure in 2009, there hasn’t been anyone to truly live up to the shirt for a prolonged period.

The legacy of the shirt, as it stands, is dying more rapidly than fans would have expected. The downturn in fortunes for whoever wears the shirt is seemingly in line with the decline of the club itself. The club is not what it used to be under Ferguson, nor is the famous Manchester United number 7 shirt.

It has become just another number for Manchester United, something that no one would have expected in the days of Manchester United’s most famous number 7’s.