Jamie Carragher ranks Cristiano Ronaldo last in Man Utd's best number sevens

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo would not make the podium among Manchester United 's best ever number sevens.

The Portuguese superstar was a key player for United between 2003 and 2009, blossoming into one of the world's best players before sealing a world record move to Real Madrid.

Signed from Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 United appearances and won nine trophies at the club, including three Premier League titles and the Champions League crown.

However, pundit Carragher argued that he would not make the top three of United's all-time best players in the position.

Ronaldo went on to have an incredible career after leaving United - becoming Real Madrid's top scorer of all time with 450 goals in 438 appearances before netting over 100 times for Juventus.

Carragher argued that three number sevens at United eclipsed his greatness - naming George Best, Bryan Robson and Eric Cantona as those who ranks higher than him.

The number is a prestigious one at the club - having been inherited by Ronaldo from David Beckham - with a long history of highly skilled and hugely successful players occupying the shirt.

Carragher told CBS Sport during the coverage of the Europa League final: "I think Ronaldo comes fourth on that list. I think he's last on that list."

However, his fellow pundit Micah Richards quickly responded to voice his opposition to that stance, and he did not mince his words: "That is nonsense. That is absolute nonsense."

Where does Cristiano Ronaldo rank in Man United's all-time greatest number sevens? Comment below

However, Carragher then went on to explain: "Well I think I think you've either got George Best or Bryan Robson, for me, would be number one.

"George Best, he said so himself, was the best player in the world at the time.

"But Cantona, for what he did for Man United in the Premier League and where Manchester United are now, has to be above Ronaldo.

"Bryan Robson - he was Manchester United. You talk about him not winning a trophy as the others did, he carried that club for 10 years. He was England captain, captain marvel, England's best player.

"He got so much more respect because he stayed with United and he just got to the end of his career and won the Premier League."

Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Old Trafford this summer as his future at Juventus appears to be increasingly unclear.

The Italian giants are said to be keen to cut their wage bill to free-up funds to help rejuvenate their squad and are willing to move on the 36-year-old forward.

However, any return to United appears to be unlikely due to Ronaldo's age and likely wage demands in a summer that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are likely to need to reinvest elsewhere.

The club have been linked to another central striker, with Tottenham captain Harry Kane said to be among those who could be targeted by United.