Ranking Manchester United's No.7s in the Premier League

What’s in a number? When it comes to football, it can mean everything. It is a game dominated by numbers, and some mean more than others.Iconic jerseys play a huge part in the beautiful game, and the Manchester United No.7 shirt is undoubtedly one of the most famous in world sport. A number of world class stars have adorned the iconic shirt over the years.Ironically, seven have worn it since cemented squad numbers were introduced in the 1993/94 Premier League season. Some have left us salivating in awe while others have left us feeling a little short changed. Here’s a rundown of the seven men to have taken on the responsibility during the club’s dominant Premier League era.

#7 Antonio Valencia

Valencia struggled under the pressure of wearing the iconic shirt

Having impressed for three seasons at Old Trafford, Antonio Valencia was given the famous shirt at the start of 2012/13. While many Manchester United fans had hoped it would propel the Ecuador international to the next level, the pressure only seemed to weigh him down.

The 2012/13 season was a successful one for the club, as they raced to their 20th league title and 13th Premier League crown. But on a personal note, it was Valencia’s worst in a Manchester United shirt. Before the following season, he reverted back to the No.25 jersey.

Valencia hasn’t exactly sparkled over the past two years or so, but his level of performance has improved since vacating the iconic No.7 kit. Overall, he probably wouldn’t rank bottom of our list. Judging by that one sole season, though, his impact was minimal.

#6 Angel Di Maria

Di Maria’s time in England was underwhelming to say the least

In his first summer at the helm, Louis van Gaal made a huge signal of intent by signing Angel Di Maria for a club record £59.7 million. The Argentina international had played a starring role in Real Madrid’s La Decima-winning campaign of 2013/14, and his arrival to Old Trafford sent shockwaves across the football world.

Unfortunately for both club and player, the attacking midfielder never really got going in the Premier League. There were glimpses of what the world class talent can do, but the majority of his one-year stay in 2014/15 was largely frustrating for Van Gaal’s first major signing.

Some of the criticisms might have been a little harsh, but Di Maria’s performance was not that of a world superstar. Whether the blame lies with the player or manager is irrelevant, and it is no surprise that the Red Devils allowed him to depart for PSG earlier this summer.

Thoroughly disappointing, especially after the Old Trafford faithful had expected so much.

#5 Michael Owen

Michael Owen did not do much of note for Manchester United apart from an injury-time winner in the Manchester Derby

Following the then-world record departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009, Michael Owen became the shock inheritor of the iconic No.7 shirt. The former Liverpool man’s free arrival had been surprising in itself, and the Old Trafford faithful hoped that the England striker would rediscover his best form after a tumultuous time at Newcastle United.

Unfortunately, a return to the glory days never materialised. Despite a memorable injury-time winner against Manchester City to open his home account, Owen failed to become a regular in the team.

Injuries certainly didn’t help, but the truth was that Sir Alex Ferguson clearly rated other players ahead of the former teenage sensation. After scoring just five league goals in three disappointing years, Owen made the switch to Stoke City.

As a free transfer on a pay-as-you-play deal, it wasn’t a great loss. Nonetheless, failure to live up to expectations will have disappointed the Stretford End faithful.

#4 Memphis Depay

Will th eDutchman become an Old Trafford legend?

A starring role in PSV’s Eredivisie title-winning campaign in 2014/15, combined with promising displays under Louis van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, was enough to convince Manchester United that Memphis Depay was the right man to become the club’s next iconic No.7. At 21, the Dutchman is far from being the finished product. But he does have all the ingredients to thrive.

His opening performances have been sprinkled with some very promising glimpses and the Stretford End will have high hopes for the £25 million summer acquisition. While the club will be keen not to place too much pressure on him during these first few months, he could be a big player for the Red Devils this term.

It is still early days for the Dutchman at Old Trafford, and it is far too premature to suggest he will be the club’s greatest No.7. Nonetheless, it is safe to say that he should be more successful than his three most recent predecessors.

#3 David Beckham

David Beckham was a worthy successor for the No.7 shirt at Old Trafford

David Beckham actually wore more than one number during his time at Old Trafford, including the No.10 and No.28 jerseys. However, the No.7 shirt will always be the synonymous digit with the club’s greatest ever crosser.

In addition to becoming a global superstar off the pitch, the youth team graduate enjoyed a trophy glittered decade in the Manchester United first-team. His importance to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side was underlined in 1997 when he was selected as the player to take Eric Cantona’s No.7 shirt.

Just two years later, Beckham played a starring role in the club’s greatest ever season. First, he provided a stunning equaliser on the final day against Tottenham as Manchester United eventually won 2-1 to clinch the Premier League title. Just a few days later, the set-piece specialist produced the two most important corners of his life as the Red Devils claimed the most dramatic Champions League final victory in injury time.

The 1998/99 treble will always remain the standout season in Beckham’s career, but the England man was equally fantastic for several years prior to an acrimonious departure in 2003. He’ll always be regarded as a Premier League great while his partnership with right-back Gary Neville is arguably the best that Old Trafford has ever seen.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo helped Manchester United win three consecutive Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy

After seeing David Beckham leave for Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson gave the responsibility of the club’s most iconic shirt to a teenager from Portugal. The untrained eye may have been shocked, but those in the know could see that this raw talent had the potential to be something truly special. And he certainly did not disappoint.

As he matured, Cristiano Ronaldo soon repaid the faith with some of the most scintillating displays that Premier League fans have ever seen. Following promising signs early on, he really hit top gear in 2006/07 as he dragged the Red Devils to the Premier League crown.

Another two titles followed in the seasons after, as did the second Champions League trophy of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, as the Portuguese superstar dominated everyone in his way. He notched an incredible 91 goals in those three seasons alone, picking up his first Ballon d’Or award too, before sealing a then world record move to the Bernabeu in 2009.

Quite frankly, the Premier League has never been the same since. He is rightly-heralded as one of the club’s all-time greats. He hasn’t done too badly since playing for Real Madrid either.

#1 Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona won back-to-back Premier League titles twice with Manchester United

Manchester United have been blessed with a number of world-class stars over the years, and many wore the iconic shirt long before the Premier League came to life in 1992/93. However, the enigmatic Frenchman is arguably the most important.

Eric Cantona was the key to Manchester United’s title win in the inaugural Premier League season, and provided the leadership skills to help the Class of ’92 come through the ranks to start one of English football’s most dominant eras.

Aside from his importance to the club, Cantona played the beautiful game in a way that the football gods intended. He constantly wowed audiences with deft touches, sublime vision, and 82 phenomenal goals. The only major negative, the kung-fu kick aside, is that he retired from the game too early.

King Eric was the Premier League’s first iconic talisman, and arguably the best. Without him, Premier League history could have been oh so different.