Sancho, Grealish... Manchester United have four contenders to be their next No.7
Manchester United fans might be excused for thinking there is a curse on the iconic No.7 shirt at their club.
Throughout the years Old Trafford has been treated to some of the most exciting wingers in world football with the shirt famously donned by the likes of George Best, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, since Juventus star Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 things haven't quite gone the same for the occupant of the historic number.
Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was always going to be a tough act to follow with Michael Owen hardly the superstar replacement fans had been expecting. Antonio Valencia spoke about how the pressure of wearing the number affected his performances, while Angel di Maria and Memphis Depay failed to deliver on the hype following their respective arrivals. Oh, and then there was Alexis Sanchez... more about him later.
This summer United will look to finally find a worthy occupant of the famous No.7 shirt and they have four interesting options to consider.
Jadon Sancho
The top candidate for the shirt has to be priority transfer target Sancho. The England international is already a European superstar, has worn the number with such aplomb during his breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund and is viewed as an obvious choice by club officials.
Sancho has both the experience and confidence to suggest he could handle the pressure of being the winger they have waited a decade for, while his regular level of performance in Europe separates him from the level Depay was at when he first joined the club.
The one elephant in the room is his hefty transfer valuation. Borussia Dortmund are in no rush to sell him and United might not be in the position to break the bank this summer.
Jack Grealish
Aston Villa captain Grealish continues to be of interest to United ahead of the summer window and there is a growing case for him to be considered as their next No.7.
He has already wowed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a sensational solo display at Old Trafford and hinted this week that he'd like to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps by wearing his iconic shirt number.
No matter what happens with Villa there is a belief they will need to sell a star player this summer and a move to United for Grealish would likely suit all parties involved.
Hannibal Mejbri
He might be a long way off the first-team at the moment but the fact United spent an initial €5 million to sign Mejbri from Monaco last year is clear evidence of their faith in his abilities.
It is unlikely he will even get a senior squad number this summer with pre-season tour plans scrapped but if United fail to sign a first-team star then the No.7 shirt might remain vacant long enough for Mejbri to make a case for it himself.
A similar thing happened when Adnan Januzaj emerged to inherit the famous No.11 shirt from Ryan Giggs, and 17-year-old Mejbri could follow suit. Upon signing last summer the teenager posed with a United shirt bearing his name and the No.7 printed on the back so perhaps it isn't so ridiculous after all.
Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean has been nothing short of a disaster at United, and the club would ideally get rid of him this summer. However, the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic could see him extend his stay longer than expected.
Sanchez has looked decent at Inter Milan this season, but injury has hampered his opportunity of a career rebirth.
Yet even with all his failings plenty of former managers and teammates have backed him to come back to United refreshed with a point to prove. Solskjaer has already insisted Sanchez will get another chance at the end of the season, and if spending is limited, he might very well get the chance to prove he was worthy all along.
Throughout the years Old Trafford has been treated to some of the most exciting wingers in world football with the shirt famously donned by the likes of George Best, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, since Juventus star Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 things haven't quite gone the same for the occupant of the historic number.
Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was always going to be a tough act to follow with Michael Owen hardly the superstar replacement fans had been expecting. Antonio Valencia spoke about how the pressure of wearing the number affected his performances, while Angel di Maria and Memphis Depay failed to deliver on the hype following their respective arrivals. Oh, and then there was Alexis Sanchez... more about him later.
This summer United will look to finally find a worthy occupant of the famous No.7 shirt and they have four interesting options to consider.
Jadon Sancho
The top candidate for the shirt has to be priority transfer target Sancho. The England international is already a European superstar, has worn the number with such aplomb during his breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund and is viewed as an obvious choice by club officials.
Sancho has both the experience and confidence to suggest he could handle the pressure of being the winger they have waited a decade for, while his regular level of performance in Europe separates him from the level Depay was at when he first joined the club.
The one elephant in the room is his hefty transfer valuation. Borussia Dortmund are in no rush to sell him and United might not be in the position to break the bank this summer.
Jack Grealish
Aston Villa captain Grealish continues to be of interest to United ahead of the summer window and there is a growing case for him to be considered as their next No.7.
He has already wowed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a sensational solo display at Old Trafford and hinted this week that he'd like to follow in Ronaldo's footsteps by wearing his iconic shirt number.
No matter what happens with Villa there is a belief they will need to sell a star player this summer and a move to United for Grealish would likely suit all parties involved.
Hannibal Mejbri
He might be a long way off the first-team at the moment but the fact United spent an initial €5 million to sign Mejbri from Monaco last year is clear evidence of their faith in his abilities.
It is unlikely he will even get a senior squad number this summer with pre-season tour plans scrapped but if United fail to sign a first-team star then the No.7 shirt might remain vacant long enough for Mejbri to make a case for it himself.
A similar thing happened when Adnan Januzaj emerged to inherit the famous No.11 shirt from Ryan Giggs, and 17-year-old Mejbri could follow suit. Upon signing last summer the teenager posed with a United shirt bearing his name and the No.7 printed on the back so perhaps it isn't so ridiculous after all.
Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean has been nothing short of a disaster at United, and the club would ideally get rid of him this summer. However, the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic could see him extend his stay longer than expected.
Sanchez has looked decent at Inter Milan this season, but injury has hampered his opportunity of a career rebirth.
Yet even with all his failings plenty of former managers and teammates have backed him to come back to United refreshed with a point to prove. Solskjaer has already insisted Sanchez will get another chance at the end of the season, and if spending is limited, he might very well get the chance to prove he was worthy all along.
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