The history of Manchester United is well known for its rich football and the longtime domination of the game in the country and the continent. Most of the times, the best players around the squad have been those donning the ‘iconic’ no.7 kit. It is of course one of the most wanted kit numbers by the finest footballers but only the best of them get it. Though the story here in Manchester United is of a bit difference when it comes to the success of the players wearing the number 7 in regard with their names.
Most of the players who’ve had a successful career at United after wearing the ‘Iconic’ number 7 had a common thing between them. It was that most of them used to play at the wings but also their names on the back their shirt also played a major role.
In the modern era, we start with Frenchman Eric Cantona, who was a beast in the United side in the early 90’s hada an absolute amazing career with United. Being bought from rivals Leeds United, many had questions if he’d adjust with the Red Devils’ game which he most certainly did and prove the critics wrong at many stages.
Following player to wear the number 7 was the English legend and one of the ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’; David Beckham. Popularly known for his dribbling skills and jaw dropping free kicks, he had achieved lot of success and had a hand in the 1999 UEFA Champions League finals against Bayern Munich at Barcelona. It was his assist through a corner that crowned the Red Devils the European champions that year. Also United had become the 1st ever English club in the history to lift the treble and no other club has achieved this feat since.
The next big name after Beckham was the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. Joining in from Sporting Lisbon, the young man had impressed Sir Alex Ferguson with his wonderful skills and the magic he could do with the ball. He had immediately got a place in the 1st team and had won the FIFA Balloon d’Or in the year 2008. He was the man behind Manchester United’s success of winning 3 straight league titles along with the Champions League in 2008 and the League Cup.
Michael Owen was the successor of the no. 7 after Ronaldo but he couldn’t do the wonders that any of the previous kit holders had done. He did score the winner in the dramatic 4-3 Manchester derby victory in 2010 at Old Trafford but still there was not much of a fascinating contribution done by him. After him it was Antonio Valencia who took hold of the ‘Iconic’ no. 7 but he too failed at making a big impact. The strange theory behind this story of the success of a few players is in regard with the name at their backs.
They all do wear the number 7, but also their names contain 7 letters. Cantona, Beckham, Ronaldo all had 7 letters in their names; the same number they wear below their names. It may seem a bit illogical and superstitious but so is the truth. Possibly Owen and Valencia didn’t shine up to their mark because they were not meant to wear the number 7 as their names didn’t have exact 7 letters.
Argentine winger Angel Di Maria had been signed by United for a British record fee of 59 million pounds from Real Madrid and was the next worthy man to take charge of the number7. His name at the back too have 7 letters and had a fine start on his debut season in England as he had 2nd highest number of assists in the Premier League in the 2014-15 season despite being away for a few games because of injuries. Critics think of him having a successful career ahead with the Red Devils.
Thus, this crazy theory actually might be the reason behind the success of these players and others would have known that wearing the ‘Iconic’ number 7 kit of Manchester United has always been a very big deal.
