Edinson Cavani will inherit the iconic No.7 shirt at Manchester United, but the jersey has proved to be as much a hindrance as it has helpful to previous occupants.
If anyone can handle the pressure of the No.7 shirt, Cavani can IMAGE: AFP – GETTY
But, if any fans were worried about his attitude before the move, his decision to take up the famous No.7 is an indication he means business.
But ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in 2009, the occupant of the No.7 has struggled to live up to expectations.
Of course, replacing the best player in the world was going to be tough for the Old Trafford hierarchy, but to have still not found a single player to lace Ronaldo’s boots more than a decade on is frightening.
Wearing the iconic number seven shirt at Manchester United undoubtedly brings another dimension of pressure for stars when they arrive at Old Trafford.
With George Best, David Beckham and Eric Cantona wearing the number with such distinction, players in recent years have failed to deliver with it on their back.
After originally rejecting the number when he joined in 2003, Ronaldo reached global superstar status and made the shirt his own.
However, since then, five players have worn No.7 and scored just 14 Premier League goals between them in 11 years.
In six years, Ronaldo scored 84 league goals for the Red Devils and no-one has come even close to matching that record.
