Premier League
BEFORE CAVANI, AFTER RONALDO; OTHER PLAYERS WITH MAN UNITED’S NUMBER 7
BY ADAM ALADAY
New comer, Edinson Cavani has been confirmed as the latest custodian of shirt number 7 at Manchester United.
As 90min puts it, the number seven shirt at Manchester United has been donned by some true legends.
But since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2009, a number of players have tried and failed (some more miserably than others) to deal with the weight of expectation on their shoulders after donning that famous jersey.
Indeed, since the Portuguese forward left the club, the five players to have worn the jersey have scored a combined…14 league goals for the club.
Yep, that’s correct – a grand tally of 14. During Ronaldo’s final season at the club alone, he managed 18 league goals in 33 games.
Of course, goals aren’t everything and, more often than not, they don’t tell the complete story.
But since Ronaldo, player after player has failed to deliver with the number seven on their backs. However, the 2020/21 season will now see new signing Edinson Cavani try and break the ‘curse’ of the shirt.
Here, we take a look at the players to have worn the number seven shirt since Ronaldo left and how they have failed to live up to expectations.
1. Michael Owen
Sir Alex Ferguson lost both Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in the summer of 2009 and, as a result, he was on the lookout for a new striker to add depth up front.
Ferguson turned to Michael Owen, with the former Liverpool striker joining on a free transfer after departing Newcastle. Considering the void left by Ronaldo, fans were desperate for a star player – perhaps in their peak years – to come in and take over the shirt.
But instead, Owen was a player who was still continuing to struggle with injuries, while he wasn’t exactly getting any younger either. In total, Owen scored 17 goals in 52 appearances for the club, although he did start just 18 games.
Despite him being nothing more than a squad player when fit, Owen did provide fans with a few moments that will long in the memory, notably his last-gap winner in the Manchester derby.
Oh, and the move benefited him as well as he was finally able to get his hands on a Premier League winners medal. Owen’s remarks after winning the title were blunt, but very true: “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
2. Antonio Valencia
Antonio Valencia arrived at Old Trafford during the same summer as Owen, with Ferguson actually offering the player the seven shirt before turning to the Englishman. However, Valencia turned down the opportunity.
The former Wigan man wasn’t the most glamorous footballer, nor was he the most lethal in front of goal. But it was his work ethic that made him such a fan favourite. Valencia was Mr Consistent, the player Ferguson could always rely on in every game.
After an excellent 2011/12 season, Valencia was named the club’s player of the year before being handed the prestigious shirt. However, he would only hold onto it for one year before returning to number 25.
But rather than the added pressure that comes with the jersey, Valencia has since insisted that it was a matter of feeling more comfortable with 25 on his back. Indeed, this is the character and type of player Valencia was at Manchester United.
During his time wearing number seven, Valencia only managed one goal – although he did struggle with injuries.
In total, Valencia made 339 appearances for the Red Devils before departing in the summer of 2019, scoring 25 times and providing 62 assists during his ten-year stay.
3. Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria’s transfer to Man Utd is a prime example of where the club have failed since Ferguson retired. The Argentine never looked like he wanted to be there, looking unsettled and uninterested during his stay.
It was a case of wanting to make a ‘statement’ signing in order to show that the Red Devils still meant business. But the problem, however, was that the money was doing the talking – rather than the player’s eagerness to join or his desire to be part of the footballing project.
There was plenty of excitement as he shone in the first few weeks, but his form quickly dipped…drastically.
The signing of Di Maria paved the way for a number of high-profile, big money transfers for United – most of which resulted in failure.
Now with PSG, it has been made clear by his wife and his teammates just how much he now dislikes Man Utd.
At least, it appears as though lesson are finally being learned.
4. Memphis Depay
Perhaps it was a case of too much, too young for Memphis at Man Utd. Following the departure of Di Maria, the shirt was handed to Memphis – a player the club hoped would don the jersey for years to come.
With skill, pace, creativity and a real eye for goal, Memphis had all the attributes to succeed at United and it seemed as though they had made an excellent signing.
But whether it was a case of mental strength or the team’s overall inconsistency not allowing Depay with the chance to showcase his talents regularly, the Dutchman struggled to make much of an impact.
His talent was clear for all to see, with fans witnessing his moments of supreme quality. But it was all far too irregular, with the forward also often disappearing for large parts of games.
Now with Lyon, Memphis has been putting in consistently impressive performances for a while and is showing why United paid so much to bring him to the club back in 2015.
5. Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez at Manchester United:
– Cost the club around £28,800 for each touch of the ball he made at the club.
– His tally of three Premier League goals meant each strike was worth £19.8m.
– Cost more than £40m in wages.
Sanchez’s Manchester United nightmare is finally over.
Sanchez joined United in the peak of his powers, hence why the Red Devils fought so hard to land him.
But while he claimed rather unconvincingly that he had always ‘dreamt’ of playing at Old Trafford, he seemingly only joined after United came in with a mega contract offer to beat local rivals Manchester City to his signature.
Sure, you can look at the stats – five goals in 45 games – to see just how poor he was for United, but the problems were so much worse. He never fit in and never really looked part of the squad.
This had a major impact on the pitch as he gave the ball away time after time and struggled to gain any real understanding of his teammates’ games.
United had enough and offloaded him to Inter for the 2019/20 season, where he has managed to shine in parts. The Italian giants have since taken up the option to make the move permanent, with the Red Devils opting to pay him off in order to get him off their books.
Sanchez was a mistake United have paid for, so much so they didn’t care about a transfer fee anymore. Over to you, Edinson..
.-90Min
Premier League
Arsenal Paint London Red with Premier League Victory Parade Despite Champions League Heartbreak
Thousands of jubilant Arsenal supporters flooded the streets of north London on Sunday as the club celebrated its first Premier League title in 22 years, putting aside the disappointment of losing the UEFA Champions League final just 24 hours earlier.
The celebrations came less than a day after Arsenal suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest. Yet the setback did little to dampen the spirits of the club’s faithful, who turned out in huge numbers to honour a historic domestic triumph.
Players and coaching staff paraded through north London aboard an open-top bus, proudly displaying the Premier League trophy that Arsenal had finally reclaimed for the first time since Arsène Wenger’s legendary “Invincibles” side lifted it in the 2003-04 season.
Arsenal had wrapped up the title before the final round of fixtures after establishing an unassailable lead over defending champions Manchester City, who eventually finished seven points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s side.
The league crown marked Arsenal’s first major trophy since Arteta guided the club to FA Cup success in 2020 during his debut season as manager. It also ended years of frustration after the Gunners had finished runners-up in the Premier League in each of the previous three seasons.
Red flares, fireworks and the sound of vuvuzelas filled the air as supporters celebrated a long-awaited return to the summit of English football.
“We’re not European champions, but we are champions of England, and that’s what matters right now,” said Arsenal supporter Julien Guillenenat. “We’re happy to celebrate with everyone.”
Another fan, 44-year-old Mathieu Garnier, believes the Premier League triumph has finally removed the psychological burden that had weighed heavily on the team.
“Three years in a row we finished second, and now that pressure is gone,” he said. “These players are going to be flying next season. I really believe that.”
Adding to the festivities was Arsenal’s women’s team, who joined the celebrations after their successful FIFA Champions Cup campaign this season.
Midfielder Declan Rice, signed from West Ham United in 2023 for a club-record £105 million, said the title triumph had silenced many of the club’s critics.
“People were pointing and laughing at us before,” Rice told Sky Sports. “What happened? They’re not laughing anymore. I love this team, I love this manager, and to see the joy we’ve brought to the fans is incredible.
“Next season we’re coming back for more.”
Despite the pain of falling short in Europe, many Arsenal supporters remain optimistic that the club will soon challenge again for continental glory.
Twenty-two-year-old fan Theo Grant believes the Champions League disappointment will only strengthen the squad’s resolve.
“Honestly, this loss will give the players even more motivation,” he said. “We’ll be back. I believe we’ll reach the final again next season.”
For Arsenal supporters, however, Sunday was not about what might have been in Europe. It was about celebrating the end of a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England once again.
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Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Tuesday and still face the risk of relegation from the Premier League in their final game of the season this weekend after goals either side of halftime from the home side’s Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos.
Fernandez let rip with a dipping shot from over 25 metres that Antonin Kinsky could not get close to in the 18th minute, electrifying the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as the home fans revelled in the misery of their North London rivals.
The Argentina midfielder turned provider for Chelsea’s second goal in the 67th, cushioning a high ball into the feet of Santos, who scored from close range.
Richarlison got one back for Spurs in the 74th minute, but the defeat means Tottenham remain two points above West Ham United, who currently occupy the last relegation spot.
However, Spurs have a much better goal difference, meaning a draw at home to Everton on Sunday would all but guarantee their Premier League survival.
Chelsea, fresh from announcing former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as their next manager after a limp 2025/26 campaign, climbed to eighth place, which offers a berth in the UEFA Conference League next season
The Blues, who lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, are one point behind Brighton & Hove Albion, who currently occupy the last of the Europa League spots.
Spurs had only themselves to blame for Tuesday’s defeat.
After Mathys Tel hit the post with a header in the 11th minute, they allowed Chelsea to dominate until Richarlison’s goal raised their hopes of rescuing the point they needed.
Substitute James Maddison looked sure to equalise in the 84th, but Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato stretched out a leg to block his angled shot.
The win was Chelsea’s first in the Premier League since March 4, giving their fans something to celebrate after a miserable run that included six consecutive league defeats.
It also means Spurs have only won once at Stamford Bridge since 1990.
-Reuters
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Arsenal F.C. have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years after Manchester City F.C. were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth, ending the most dramatic title race of recent seasons and completing a remarkable transformation under manager Mikel Arteta.
The title triumph marks Arsenal’s first league championship since the legendary “Invincibles” side led by Arsène Wenger went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 campaign.
For Arteta, it represents the crowning moment of a rebuilding project that began when he replaced Unai Emery in December 2019. The Spaniard inherited a struggling Arsenal side but gradually rebuilt the club into genuine title contenders, guiding them to second-place finishes in each of the previous three seasons before finally ending Manchester City’s dominance.
Arsenal appeared in danger of suffering another late collapse after surrendering a nine-point lead earlier in the campaign, particularly following City’s crucial victory over them at the Etihad Stadium in April.
However, the momentum shifted again when City stumbled with a draw against Everton, allowing Arsenal to seize control of the race.
The North London club responded impressively, winning four consecutive matches without conceding a goal, including Monday’s tense 1-0 victory over Burnley F.C. that piled pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side heading into their trip to Bournemouth.
City’s failure to secure victory finally confirmed Arsenal as champions, triggering emotional celebrations among supporters gathered around the Emirates Stadium.
Fans watching the decisive match in nearby pubs poured onto the streets at the final whistle, while thousands more marched toward the Emirates within minutes of the title being secured.
Arteta had admitted before the match that he expected it to be difficult watching City’s game because of the enormous stakes involved, but the Spaniard ultimately witnessed the completion of one of the most significant managerial achievements in modern Arsenal history.
The Gunners will officially receive the Premier League trophy after their final game of the season against Crystal Palace F.C. at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Arsenal’s triumph could yet become part of an even greater achievement.
The club now have the opportunity to complete a historic double when they face Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30.
Only five English clubs have previously managed to win both the league title and the European Cup in the same season, with Manchester City the last side to achieve the feat in 2023.
The title success also signals a changing of the guard in English football.
With Guardiola expected to leave Manchester City after a decade in charge, Arteta — once his assistant at City — is poised to become the longest-serving manager across England’s top four divisions, underlining how dramatically his status has risen since arriving at Arsenal less than seven years ago.
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