The dream number 7 shirt of many players when arriving at Old Trafford is clearly too wide. Recently, Dutchman Memphis Depay had to wrap a loofah to leave the Theater of Dreams.
Memphis Depay is the latest “victim” of this legendary shirt. Now, this 22-year-old midfielder has to go to Lyon to save his career. Who can afford to follow the legendary No. 7 like George Best, Cantona, Beckham or Ronaldo?
Since 2009, there have been 4 players who inherited this prestigious shirt but they all failed. Memphis Depay is the closest number 7 to the pressure and aura of its 50-year history. Is there a curse that has haunted this legendary shirt?
After Ronaldo ditched Manchester’s number 7 shirt to switch to Real Madrid, no one has been able to follow in his footsteps to become another No. 7 legend at Old Trafford.
Memphis was entrusted with the most meaningful shirt by Vangaal by Vangaal, but despite the excitement surrounding him in the days when he first arrived in Manchester, the reality was so harsh and cold that Memphis had to leave without a trumpet. . The young Dutch player is completing all the procedures to be able to move to Lyon as quickly as possible.
On this occasion, let’s look back at the legends who once wore the sacred number 7 of the Red Devils.
George Best – 1963-1974
In the era in which Best played, the number of shirts has not been specified, but he still wore the number 7 to appear 141 times in a total of 474 matches.
In 1966, in what is considered the best performance of his career, Best wore that shirt and scored twice in Manchester United’s 5-1 defeat of Benfica in Lisbon. Two years later Best became the owner of the golden ball and won the European Cup.
Bryan Robson — 1981-94
Robson immediately inherited this divine shirt even though Steve Coppell was still playing for the Reds at the time. “Captain Marvel” won countless top honors with Manchester United in domestic and continental tournaments.
Eric Cantona — 1992-97
The King was the catalyst for Manchester United to flourish in the 1990s and was the first player to be officially commissioned with the legendary number 7 shirt.
During his 5 years with the club, the talented French striker won 4 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups and won the bronze ball in 1993.
David Beckham — 1992-03
When Cantona retired from the pitch, Beckham was honored to change the number 10 to take the number 7 instead of The King. He was the one who played an important role in helping the Reds complete a historic treble in 1999.
He wore this legendary shirt throughout the peak years of his career and established himself as a world-class football star.
In addition to many trophies won with his teammates at Manchester United, Beckham was also the silver ball in 1999 and runner-up in the best player race in 1999 and 2001.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 2003-09
Taking over treasure number 7 at the age of 18, Ronaldo was under a lot of pressure but perhaps that is why he shined brightly and, above all else, won all the highest honors with Manchester United and became ” Red Devils” is the 4th in history to be awarded the world golden ball.
The number 7 shirt was also used by the Portuguese striker when he switched to Real and also became the CR7 brand that global fans know.
Michael Owen – 2009-12
Owen is not the worst 7 but an overshadowed 7. In the world of football, only Messi is able to erase the huge shadow left by Ronaldo.
Returned to Old Trafford when he was almost 30 and almost became a Newcastle player if Manchester United did not miss Karim Benzema. Owen’s successes in the Red Devils shirt are very few compared to other legends, so people have never remembered him as a typical number 7.
Antonio Valencia — from 2009 to present
The Ecuadorian winger was given the “oversized” shirt in the 2012/2013 season, but quickly gave it up and returned to the familiar number 25. During the reign of David Moyes, the legendary shirt became derelict.
Angel Di Maria — 2014-15
Until Di Maria returned to Old Trafford for a staggering £59.1m transfer fee, the number 7 was once again handed over with a lot of hope.
But unlike his form at Real Madrid, Di Maria at Manchester United became incomprehensible. After just one season, he was sold to PSG for £ 44 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the last player to succeed wearing the No 7 shirt at Manchester United
