Number 7 : A legacy on the verge of turning into a nightmare?

 The curse of the legendary Number  

Manchester United's iconic number 7 is the club's most significant jersey. The 20-time premier league champions have had great players in the past who have been an integral part of their success and contributions, thereby cementing their legacy. Many legends have played for this prestigious club, but very few have had the privilege to don this "great" number 7 and have been successful. The below names are the icons wearing the number 7 jersey and gained recognition. 

1. George Best

2. Bryan Robson

3. Eric Cantona

4. David Beckham

5. Cristiano Ronaldo 

Since Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid in 2009, nobody had lived up to the significant Number's expectations and went on to become more terrible when Sir Alex Ferguson left the dugout in 2013. Many critics have termed it as " the curse" because many players who have donned the iconic jersey have turned out to be disastrous and catastrophic. Now let us look at the notable players that have failed to live the expectations of the prolific Number. 

Michael Owen: 

The former England striker is indeed one of the legends of the Premier League without a doubt. He began his career in Liverpool and became a popular figure at the Anfield. His performances earned him a move to Real Madrid. Unfortunately, it ended up in disappointment and returned to England after a year and joined Newcastle United and rediscovered his form. 

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009, Sir Alex signed Owen and took over the vacant number 7. An injury-time winner against bitter rivals was a memorable one. The striker was sparingly used and spent three years at Old Trafford before departing for Stoke City.

Antonio Valencia:  

Signed from Wigan Athletic in 2009, the Ecuadorian man became a successful player for the Red Devils. He initially played as a winger but was converted to a right-back/right-wing back in his later seasons. After impressing in the 2011/12 season, Sir Alex handed him over the iconic jersey for the upcoming 2012/13 campaign as he expected to be prolific. Unfortunately, he only wore the Number for one season and reverted to his previous number, citing that the pressure was too much to handle.

Angel Di Maria: 

The Argentine winger was signed for a whopping club-record fee from Real Madrid in 2014 under Louis Van Gaal after impressing the FIFA World Cup. He also played a crucial role in Madrid's UEFA Champions League 2013/14 by winning the competition. Di Maria donned the iconic jersey, and many fans believed that he would be a long-term successor as he had an impressive and a rocking start. However, that start became a nightmare as he struggled for form and consistency. The former Madrid man also played out of positions often, and burglary at his residence added more misery. Eventually, he departed after one season for PSG and since then thrived in the French capital.

Memphis Depay: 

Van Gaal signed another notable player after an impressive World cup campaign in Brazil. The Dutch international moved to Old Trafford in 2015 from PSV Eindhoven. After starting the season strongly, he also became the victim of the Number as he struggled for form, and the arrival of Jose Mourinho did not benefit him. He rarely used it as he departed the club in January 2017 for Lyon and has since then thrived for the Ligue 1 side.

Alexis Sanchez:  

By far and quickly, the biggest flop of the number 7 jersey for the Red Devils. The Chilean international signed for Arsenal from Barcelona in 2014 and became an instant hit and became a popular figure for the Gunners. He also won the FA Cup for the North London outfit. Sanchez joined in 2018 as a part of a player-swap deal with Mkhitaryan going the opposite direction and was the highest-paid player when he joined United. 

His only memorable performance was in a Manchester Derby, where he contributed two assists in a 3-2 win. Eventually, he was also a big disappointment as everybody expected that he would replicate the same way he played for Arsenal. His presentation in a piano is perhaps the most memorable one. He moved to Inter Milan in the 2019/20 season for a loan before signing permanently and since claimed that he had regained his love for the game. Sanchez recently claimed that he wanted to tear up his contract after the first training session in the United and return to Arsenal.

Due to the recent problems, the Number has become a nightmare for the players. Jadon Sancho was expected to join Manchester United and was the next favorite to wear the iconic jersey. Surprisingly, this did not happen as they signed Edinson Cavani for free and is the new number 7 for the Red Devils. The Uruguayan international is a legendary striker without a doubt, but his age is also a matter to consider. He hasn't played regularly for PSG since Mauro Icardi joined and is injury-prone. Indeed, United have taken a gamble to sign PSG's all-time top-scorer considering his injury-record. The question which comes to our minds is, "will Cavani live up to the expectations of the iconic jersey, or will he also join the victim list"? 

Author,

Zaid