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Sancho could take 'cursed' No.7 shirt off Cavani and emulate Ronaldo at Man United

talksport.com, 15 July 2021, 17:36
Jadon Sancho seems destined to wear the No.7 shirt at Manchester United, but only if Edinson Cavani lets him.

The Borussia Dortmund and England winger is close to sealing a £73million move to Old Trafford after completing his medical.

Sancho has donned the No.7 shirt during his time with Dortmund which has yielded 50 goals in 104 matches - an impressive tally given he is only 21 years old.

And it is similar to another player who famously wore the No.7 shirt at Manchester United… Cristiano Ronaldo.

Before the age of 22, Ronaldo scored 62 goals for club and country as he lit up Old Trafford during his six-year spell.

Despite those promising signs, Manchester United fans will be well aware of the 'cursed' No.7 shirt since Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a then world record £80m fee in 2009.

Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez scored a combined total of 14 goals while wearing the iconic number.

However, when it seemed like the 'curse' would never end, Cavani rocked up in Manchester last year.

Signing a one-year deal at the age of 33, a section of fans were sceptical about how he would adjust to life in England.

Nonetheless, the striker exceeded everyone's expectations as he ended his debut season with 17 goals in 39 matches.

And Cavani's impressive form all happened while wearing the No.7 shirt!

So, is the 'curse' finally over?

Cavani signed a one-year contract extension in May and will naturally have first dibs over the No.7 shirt.

He has been a team player on the pitch for United, but it would be an extraordinary act of selflessness if Cavani gives up his number for Sancho.

Typically, the No.7 shirt is worn by wingers, not strikers, and if Sancho can have a similar impact to Ronaldo at Old Trafford, then United fans are in for a treat.

The 36-year-old forward netted 117 goals for United and lifted three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and the Champions League in a trophy-laden stint.

Sancho has already tasted success as Dortmund won the German Cup last season, so he will bring a winning mentality to United, who have not lifted silverware since 2017.

Yes, it is just a number on the back of a shirt, but seeing Sancho with the No.7 shirt just feels right.

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