“I didn't feel any pressure” - Michael Owen opens up on taking Cristiano Ronaldo’s No.7 shirt at Manchester United

Former English forward Michael Owen has claimed that he 'didn't feel any pressure' in taking over Portuguese maestro Cristiano Ronaldo's No. 7 jersey at Manchester United. The 44-year-old said that it was a huge honor to be handed the famed jersey, and believed he treated it with a lot of respect.

A 24-year-old Ronaldo departed Old Trafford to join Real Madrid in a then world-record fee of €94 million in the summer of 2009. Meanwhile, Owen, who was 30 at the time, was signed on a free transfer from Newcastle United and handed the No. 7 jersey.

Besides Ronaldo, the jersey had been worn by other United legends, including Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and George Best. Although the shirt brings a lot of pressure to deliver, Owen said that he had legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson's trust to keep the famed No. 7 safe.

Owen said to Genting Casino (via Manchester Evening News):

"I think because I was at that stage of my career I didn't feel any pressure in taking Cristiano Ronaldo's shirt number and that's what Sir Alex Ferguson said to me."

"He said to me when he handed me the number because I had pretty much been there, seen it, done it and played for great teams under the biggest of pressures and won the biggest of trophies. It was probably in safe hands. I wasn't going to go into a nightclub and do anything stupid or be disrespectful to the shirt in any way," Owen added.

Owen bagged 17 goals and three assists in 52 appearances across all competitions in an injury-riddled two-year spell at Manchester United. Despite being sidelined for over 80 games, he lifted a Premier League title, an EFL Cup, and an FA Community Shield with the Red Devils.

---

"I've had a bad back since wearing that" - Michael Owen elaborates on experience of taking over Cristiano Ronaldo's No. 7 jersey at Manchester United

Former Manchester United forward Michael Owen claimed that he 'had a bad back' after inheriting the legendary No.7 shirt from Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford.

In an interview with Genting Casino, the 44-year-old said (via Manchester Evening News):

"I think from the manager's point of view, he wanted it represented really well. When you look at the players that have worn it in the past, then he wanted it in safe hands and I would like to think I treated it with a lot of respect and that was probably the reason."

"I've had a bad back since wearing that with the weight of it! But no, on a serious note, it was a huge honour at the time to be offered. And I was definitely not going to say no," Owen concluded.

Since Ronaldo, Ecuadorian full-back Antonio Valencia has been Manchester United's only No. 7 shirt holder to make over 100 appearances for the club. Mason Mount currently wears that number for the club.