Manchester United's number 7's before Mason Mount (2023/24) and after Ralph Milne (1988/89)

Liam Williams Updated: 05 Jun 25 10:08

One of the most famous shirt numbers in football, Manchester United's iconic number seven shirt has been worn by legends of not just the club, but football itself.

Most notably worn by the mercurial George Best, the number was passed down to the likes of Steve Coppell and Bryan Robson before being inherited by more recent Manchester United greats.

Prior to 1993, the Football Association imposed 1-11 on the starting line-up, meaning a number of players briefly donned the number seven shirt before Eric Cantona arrived at Old Trafford as the Premier League adopted permanent numbers.

Cantona would take the number from flying winger Andrey Kanchelskis, who switched to #14 before his shock departure from the club and retirement from football.

Roy Keane has told the story of how he not only ended up with the number 16 shirt, but how David Beckham took the number seven. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson asked Keane to take the seven upon Cantona's departure, not wanting Beckham - then wearing #10 - to take it, but Keane's refusal saw the young winger take the famous jersey that he'd wear until his departure in 2004.

Exciting prospect Cristiano Ronaldo also turned down the chance to take the number seven shirt which at this point had been worn by numerous club legends, but his new manager insisted, and Ronaldo would wear the number until his departure in 2009, taking it back in 2021.

The calibre of player has somewhat dipped since Ronaldo's first departure in 2009. The controversial signing of Michael Owen saw the former Liverpool striker take the number with Antonio Valencia inheriting it three years later.

The number was blamed for Valencia's declining form, and the winger requested he revert to his original #25 after two years.

New signing Angel Di Maria was the next number seven before leaving the club a year later with Memphis Depay given the shirt following his arrival. The move didn't work out with Depay leaving after two seasons and Alexis Sanchez taking the jersey.

The Chilean was the latest number seven to underwhelm at Old Trafford, with the shirt remaining vacant for a year before Edinson Cavani's arrival.