Antoine Griezmann, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial: Contenders to take ‘cursed’ Manchester United No 7 shirt from Memphis Depay next season
MEMPHIS DEPAY is the latest player to suffer from the ‘Curse of the No.7 shirt’ at Manchester United.
From George Best to Bryan Robson to Eric Cantona, David Beckham and then Cristiano Ronaldo — for the best part of half of a century, it was donned by the club icon.
But in the last eight years, four men have tried and failed under the weight of expectation.
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Memphis is closing in on a move to Lyon just 18 months after moving to Old Trafford, and Jose Mourinho will have to hand the hallowed shirt over to someone else.
It proved too much for Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Angel Di Maria and the former PSV Eindhoven man — so who could be next?
Antoine Griezmann
MOURINHO’S undoubted No.1 target for this coming summer — and is reported to have already agreed to a shirt number.
Griezmann was in contention for all the major awards this year after a stellar 2016 with Atletico Madrid and France.
Among the best players in the world and, should he arrived, would be United’s star and possibly the world’s most-expensive footballer.
Despite many players arriving to England on top of their game and struggling to adapt to the intensity of the Premier League, it would be almost unthinkable for Griezmann to suffer the same fate.
Would surely thrive under the pressure of his new shirt number.
Anthony Martial
FAMOUSLY lost the No.9 shirt to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, before inheriting the No.11 — could another switch on the cards?
On his day, there are few players better than Martial at United.
In recent weeks, he has re-found his best form and Jurgen Klopp showed how highly he rates him by doubling up during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
However, he seemed seriously affected by the pressure brought over from his amazing first season in English football.
And possibly wouldn’t need the added burden of the No.7 shirt.
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Marcus Rashford
HIS form has been up and down this season, but that was to be expected.
Rashford knows the club, and the fans would love to see ‘one their own’ have the shirt again.
Bearing the shirt and knowing his worth could give the young lad confidence to progress.
Currently, the 19-year-old is not a starter and he began to struggle in front of goal as United’s form took a nosedive.
Ronaldo thrived with the No.7 shirt at the age of 18, but it is perhaps too soon for Rashford?
Bernardo Silva
ANOTHER summer target, with United ready to fork out £70million for the Portuguese midfielder.
Silva is definitely a talent for the future and Mourinho will have to battle former club, Real Madrid, for the Monaco ace’s signature.
At 22, he could be the Red Devils’ playmaker for years to come and make the shirt his own.
However, he would be coming at a similar age to Memphis and having shone in a league, which far less competitive than the Premier League.
The shirt could be an unnecessary extra burden.
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Paulo Dybala
ON THE brink of signing a new contract with Juventus, but he is the real deal.
Dybala is just 23 and is among those tipped to break the Ronaldo-Lionel Messi stronghold on the Ballon d’Or.
While he may not arrive this summer, Mourinho could opt to leave the No.7 shirt unoccupied — and wait for the Argentine’s arrival.
Serie A is one of the hardest leagues in the world, and Dybala has thrived.
His agility, touch and eye for a goal make him ideal for the intensity of Premier League football.
Who will be the next No.7 at Man United? Latest odds
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan 2/1
- Antoine Griezmann 3/1
- Juan Mata 4/1
- Paul Pogba 4/1
- Marcus Rashford 10/1
- Paulo Dybala 25/1