'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#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.
