Number seven: More than just a shirt

Sometimes, they transcend the sport and showcase sheer greatness. Maradona 10, R9 and Cruyff 14, are all iconic in their own right, but the number seven and Manchester United, it’s different. It’s more than just a number. 

So many iconic names have worn the prestigious Manchester United jersey, but there are some names that have cemented themselves in history thanks to one number, seven. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to name some from a lineage that will live on for years to come. 

Being the number seven at United isn’t just about being a good player, there’s a certain responsibility that is bestowed upon you to represent this great club, and this iconic number. 

Intelligence, consistency, skill, speed, score, and red. These are the words that spring to mind when we talk about United. But what is it really like to wear such an iconic number, on such an iconic shirt? 

We worked with adidas and gathered up some of our no.7's from the past, the present, and the future to answer that very question...

Bryan Robson was referred to by Sir Alex Ferguson as the best captain that he had during his time as manager of United, and it’s easy to see why he was given the iconic number seven shirt. He knew exactly what it meant, and the responsibility that came with it. 

“The reputation of players wearing the seven built up from George Best’s day," says Robbo. "All of a sudden I started playing in the centre of midfield, and I was wearing the [number] seven all of the time, and I just felt like this was a lucky number for me, and I wore the seven for the next twelve years.” 

And so, Eric Cantona was the next up in the lineage of the sevens.

“In general, it’s the number 10," states King Eric. "But at Manchester United, it means something more. It [Manchester] was a city for the number seven. The number seven is someone who can create things, sometimes one who needs to be free.

“Sir Alex Ferguson gave me this number. I play football like I play in the streets, like I play with my friends, the fans love this kind of player."

Nobody has quite transcended the sport of football quite like David Beckham. Having come through the youth ranks and graduated in the iconic Class of ‘92, Becks was always destined for greatness, and so it was only natural that the number seven was his eventually. 

“I was a Manchester United fan from probably four or five years old, you know? As far as I can remember," he says. "You were always aware of how important the number seven shirt was.” 

Becks goes on to explain that he had just had one of the best seasons of his career wearing the number 10 and that he got a call from Sir Alex Ferguson, who had explained to him that incoming striker Teddy Sheringham would be taking that number from him and that they’ll see him at pre-season training.  

After arriving for pre-season training, Becks explained that he was invited into the manager’s office and asked how he was feeling, when he explained that he really loved the number 10, he was told he was getting the number 7.

“I think I cried,” he says. “My dad was the first person that I phoned. He was a Bobby Charlton fan, that’s why my middle name is Robert. My dad was a hardcore United fan, so the fact that I was then his son, playing for Manchester United, wearing the number seven shirt, I knew how important that was.”

Then along came a certain Portuguese teenager called Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course, you’d struggle to find somebody that doesn’t know who Cristiano is these days, after all, he is one of the greatest players of all time. But back then, he was relatively unknown. 

“All players know, in Manchester and around the world as well, that the number seven is a mythic number at this club," he explains. 

“In the beginning, when I signed for Manchester, I was very nervous to see the full stadium. The passion that the fans have for football, it kind of surprised me a lot.

“Sir Alex Ferguson said to me, ‘You’re going to take the number seven. It was that kind of moment that you never forget. I knew the history of the number seven in the club, But at the same time, I was feeling good, After an experienced manager, and an experienced person [Sir Alex] knew that Cristiano was the right player to wear that shirt.” 

Being from Manchester, Ella Toone knows more than anybody what the feeling of representing Manchester United must be like. The immense pride of knowing that she’s showing up for her city and her club could never be replicated anywhere else, could it? The first number seven in the Manchester United Women's team, Ella recalled the first time she was given the shirt. 

“Casey Stoney was the manager at the time, and I remember her giving me a shirt on the day. I just thought we were being given shirts, and I said ‘oh my god, am I the number seven? Or is this just a shirt?’ She was like, ‘No, you’re the number seven.’ And I just remember thinking so clearly, ‘Wow, I’m the first Manchester United Women’s number seven, it was a pinch-me moment that I was walking out on the pitch as a Manchester United player, but then another one that I was wearing the number seven on the back of the shirt.” 

To Manchester United, it’s more than just a shirt, it’s history in the making. There have been so many legends that have proudly worn the iconic crest of this club, and there’s plenty more to come. But the number seven has become immortalised thanks to the sheer determination, grit and creativity of those wearing it before, we’re just excited to see who is up next. 

You can grab your home kit here, and be sure to tag us over on @weareunited so we can see how you’re showing off your support.