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Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world. They have fans all across the planet and their global appeal is quite astounding, to put it mildly. One of the main factors behind their popularity is the quality of the players who have worn their storied red shirt.
Manchester United has been home to some of the greatest players in the history of football
Manchester United's legacy as a dominant force in English football as a club that defied the odds, battled setbacks and came out on top is unchallenged. The clout that comes with that level of admiration and popularity has enabled the club to attract some of the greatest talents in football.
In football, certain jersey numbers mean certain things. For example, the #10 jersey is usually given to the playmaker of the team. The #1 jersey belongs to the goalkeeper. The #7 jersey is often given to the most creative player on the side.
On that note, let's take a look at five of the greatest Manchester United #7s of all time.
#5 Bryan Robson
Before Manchester United became perennial winners under Sir Alex Ferguson, there was a period during which the club struggled. Bryan Robson was a welcome ray of hope during that time and he stayed at the club for thirteen years.
Robson was a brilliant box-to-box midfielder who made the transition from Ron Atkinson to Sir Alex Ferguson rather seamlessly. He was a fiercely competitive and tenacious presence on the pitch. The Englishman was a well-rounded player who was good at tackling, passing and at aerial duels as well.
His enthusiasm and energy levels helped maintain the spirits in the dressing room. Robson was an inspiring character and played a crucial role in establishing certain values at the club under Ferguson, which they benefitted from hugely in the 1990s. He was a leader and was ready to die on the ground for the side.
In 183 appearances across all competitions for Manchester United, Robson scored 41 goals and provided three assists. He won two Premier League titles, one European Cup Winners' Cup, three FA Cups and one League Cup with Manchester United.
#4 David Beckham
Never let David Beckham's appeal as a fashion icon or a brand lead you to believe that the man's credentials as a footballer were suspect. The brand was built on his brilliance as a footballer. One of the most technically refined footballers of his generation, Beckham was phenomenal for Manchester United.
Of course he is known for his consistency with free-kicks but there was so much more to Beckham's game. He was also a man for the big occasion and has had several legendary moments in his career. Beckham was a vital part of the legendary Class of 92 that won the continental treble in the 1998-99 season.
His individual performance and iconic last-minute free-kick goal against Greece to secure qualification to the 2002 World Cup for England is unreal. Beckham's vintage #7 kits are still popular to this day.
In a total of 388 appearances across all competitions for Manchester United, he scored 85 goals and provided 101 assists. Beckham won six Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups and one Intercontinental Cup with Manchester United.
#3 Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona's move to Manchester United was the sort of signing that elevates a club and takes them to the next level. The charismatic Frenchman was the first player to be officially given the Manchester United number 7 jersey in 1993.
One of the greatest footballers of his generation, Cantona expedited Manchester United's journey to success. The talismanic Frenchman, who had a reputation for being hot-headed, spent five successful years at Old Trafford before announcing his shock retirement.
Sir Alex Ferguson managed Cantona's vagaries exceptionally well and the player repaid in kind by delivering at crucial junctures throughout his time with United. He had a level of swagger that made the world stand back and take notice.
Cantona scored 81 goals and provided 62 assists in 180 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils. He won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and three FA Charity Shields during his five-year stint at Manchester United.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo could yet climb to the top of this list because unless you've been living under a rock, you'd know that he's back at Manchester United. The Portuguese international had huge shoes to fill and took over the number 7 kit from David Beckham when he arrived in 2003.
A mercurial winger during his initial days at the club, Ronaldo burgeoned into a phenomenon over the course of his six-year stint at the club. He was the main driving force in attack for Manchester United during that spell. He won three Premier League titles, one Champions League title, two FA Cups and a League Cup with the Red Devils.
Ronaldo won the first of his five Ballons d'Or at Manchester United in 2008. He was not only a menacing winger but had also become a prolific goalscorer in his latter years at Manchester United. He scored 118 goals and provided 69 assists in 292 appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions.
#1 George Best
George Best first pulled up at Manchester United at the age of 15. He made his first team debut two years later at 17. He had won the European Cup and the English First Divison title by the time he was 22.
One-third of Manchester United's Holy Trinity, alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, Best is one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playing on rain-wrecked fields, Best guided the ball away from the feet that came snapping at him and sped away, leaving defenders flat-footed in his wake.
Best was arguably as good with the ball at his feet as Lionel Messi. He was so technically proficient that he could produce mesmerizing strikes and lobs with the same kind of nonchalance. This Sir Matt Busby's quote on George Best perhaps best encapsulates what the legendary Manchester United #7 was all about:
‘It was a very simple team talk. All I used to say was: “Whenever possible, give the ball to George Best."'
Best won the Ballon d'Or in 1968. He spent 12 years at Manchester United, winning two First Division League titles, one European Cup and two Charity Shields. In 352 games for Manchester United, Best scored 137 goals.
