Anger at Sancho request points to scenario emerging when Ronaldo leaves
Chances are, any player who has ever dreamed of lining up for Manchester United as a youngster also harboured hopes of donning the iconic number seven shirt.
It is a squad number that has been worn by some of the best the club has ever seen walk through the Old Trafford doors, from George Best to David Beckham. It’s for that reason that when Jadon Sancho learned he’d be playing for the Red Devils, he made clear he wanted the seven shirt.
Unfortunately for the England international, at the time of his Old Trafford arrival, the number was already being occupied by veteran striker and Uruguay star Edinson Cavani. During negotiations with Borussia Dortmund to try and bring Sancho to the club, United officials attempted to find a way to give the winger the iconic shirt.
Sancho wore the number during his time in Germany and would often sign off his social media posts with the hashtag ‘JS7’. The number soon became part of Sancho’s brand and it was obvious to all involved in the deal he wanted to continue that affinity with seven at United.
However, between the time United made Sancho the promise in 2020 and actually signed him 12 months later, they had also extended Cavani’s stay for another year, prompting an awkward conversation between the former Paris Saint-Germain striker and the Red Devils hierarchy.
A report from The Athletic claimed Cavani felt ‘put out’ by the request to surrender his shirt number to the young summer signing. The striker was in no mood to give up the number seven for a player 13 years his junior.
s a result, Sancho was forced to wear the number 25 instead.
In a turn of events that are sure to have infuriated Sancho, Cavani did eventually hand over his shirt number – to Cristiano Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner returned to Old Trafford 12 years after he first left and was immediately given the seven shirt by an accommodating Cavani.
Then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said at the time: “Edinson has been remarkable.
“Cristiano spoke with Edinson and they spoke to each other. And to pass on his shirt just shows the respect he’s got for Cristiano, but also Cristiano speaking to Edinson shows the respect the other way. Two top, top professionals and players.”
Meanwhile, Sancho has played the long game and could now finally be nearing his chance to seize the number seven all for himself. Things are rapidly deteriorating for Ronaldo at Old Trafford, with the 37-year-old suspended from United’s most recent league outing away at Chelsea after a shocking temper tantrum three days prior.
After refusing to come off the bench as a substitute during the 2-0 win over Tottenham, the forward proceeded to storm down the Old Trafford tunnel minutes before the full-time whistle had blown in a blatant show of disrespect to both his boss Erik ten Hag and his teammates.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Ronaldo’s next chapter is away from Manchester and he could try to force through an exit as soon as the upcoming January transfer window.
If things play out the way many expect, Sancho’s name could be hanging above the number seven soon enough. There’s every chance the wide-man feels like United owe it to him considering it was promised during the first round of negotiations.
With that being said, the soonest that is likely to happen is just before next term, considering it is rare for high-profile first-team players to change numbers mid-season.
