Manchester United has named Mason Mount as the new wearer of the iconic number seven shirt, previously donned by Cristiano Ronaldo. The talented midfielder recently completed his move to Old Trafford from Chelsea for a reported fee of £55 million.
The number seven shirt at Manchester United has a rich history and is traditionally reserved for wingers, wide midfielders, or forwards. Legends like George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham have all graced the pitch in the famous number seven jersey.
When Ronaldo arrived at the club in 2003, he took the number seven shirt from Beckham, who was sold to Real Madrid. This decision marked the birth of ‘CR7’ – both a fashion brand founded by Ronaldo and the moniker by which he is known online.
During his time at Manchester United, Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 appearances, won numerous titles including a Champions League trophy, three Premier League titles, and the 2008 Ballon d’Or, cementing his status as one of the club’s greatest number sevens.
However, following Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid in 2009, his successors faced an uphill battle to fill his shoes. Michael Owen briefly held the number seven shirt, but failed to replicate Ronaldo’s success, aside from his famous late Manchester derby winner in 2010. Antonio Valencia, often underrated, then took on the mantle. He eventually moved to right-back before captaincy under Jose Mourinho.
Since Valencia relinquished the shirt in 2014, a series of players have worn the prestigious number seven, all of whom have now left the club. Angel Di Maria, the big-money signing from Real Madrid in 2014, struggled to impress and was eventually sold to PSG. Memphis Depay, signed by Louis van Gaal in 2015, failed to live up to expectations and later found success at Lyon. Alexis Sanchez, arriving in January 2018, also had little impact on the team.
Edinson Cavani, the most recent number seven, does not necessarily fall victim to the supposed curse. He scored 17 goals in his first season, earning a new contract, before relinquishing the shirt to Ronaldo upon the Portuguese star’s return. However, even Ronaldo struggled to replicate his previous heights during the half-season that followed, leading to his mutual departure in December.
Now, Mason Mount hopes to avoid the struggles associated with the number seven shirt at Manchester United and establish himself as a key player for the club. With his arrival from Chelsea, supporters are eager to see his impact on the pitch.
The number seven shirt carries immense pressure and scrutiny, given the expectations set by the historic players who wore it before. Mount’s talent and potential make him a promising candidate to break the curse and restore the number’s legacy at Old Trafford.
As fans eagerly await the new season, they hope that Mason Mount can become the latest in a line of legendary Manchester United number sevens, adding his name to the esteemed list that includes Best, Robson, Cantona, and Beckham. Only time will tell if Mount can live up to the challenge and fulfill the high expectations associated with the prestigious jersey at the famous football club.
