Manchester United may already have Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement at no. 7
Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United a little over a month ago, following a troubled second stint at Old Trafford, raised many questions for the club.
As there is now a void in the forward line, many fans will be focusing on who United will bring in to replace him in January. However, once that question has been answered, the focus will shift to which player will be the club’s famous number seven next season.
The player will have the honor of donning the number Ronaldo wore during his two stints with the club, as well as the numbers that David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, and George Best wore before him.
However, those selected to wear the number seven have not always had a smooth sailing. Antonio Valencia, Memphis Depay, Alexis Sanchez, and Angel Di Maria have all worn the jersey and failed to meet expectations, so whoever is selected will want to avoid joining that group.
So who in the current United shirt could be given the honor of wearing such a significant number?
Jadon Sancho
Sancho’s United career has not gone according to plan thus far, but a number of supporters believe he will find his footing under Erik ten Hag.
When the forward originally joined the club, it was anticipated that he would inherit Edinson Cavani’s number when he left, but when Ronaldo returned later in the same transfer window, that plan was scrapped.
Sancho exhibited extraordinary talent while playing for Borussia Dortmund and has shown flashes of it at Old Trafford, but he has yet to fully demonstrate why Manchester United approved a £72 million transfer for him.
The 22-year-old has a challenging second half of the season, but if he demonstrates his talent, he could be rewarded with the number seven shirt.
Antony
United’s number sevens have historically (at least in theory) been exciting players who drive the game forward, and when Antony was signed from Ajax, many fans expected him to continue this trend.
The reality has been considerably less exciting thus far, but with United finally beginning to play the way Ten Hag wants, the second half of the season could give fans a glimpse of the Brazilian’s best form.
If he does, the shirt with the number seven could be his.
Alejandro Garnacho
A young winger from the academy who has made a name for himself through a string of outstanding performances? Sounds like a player that many United supporters would love to see wearing the number seven.
Garnacho is an extraordinary talent who has quickly won over the United faithful with performances such as the last-minute winner against Fulham prior to the World Cup. Given that the first two options are not exactly lighting up Old Trafford, the timing could be ideal for the Argentine.
Amad
Probably the least likely candidate on this list for the number seven shirt. Given that there is currently no standout candidate for the number seven shirt, it could be put on hold for two seasons (unless a big name comes through the door who wants it).
Amad has impressed while on loan at Sunderland this season, and many anticipate that he will be a part of United’s main squad next year.
He has played the long game thus far, but he has continued to impress and demonstrate why the club sanctioned a move for him; if he continues his ascent, the number seven shirt could be waiting for him at the end of the tunnel.
Manchester United may already have Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement at no. 7
