The number seven has always been an iconic number at Manchester United.
Are there arguably any more famous number and club partnerships than Manchester United and the number seven jersey? It’s the ideal number for every single young Red Devils fan who dreams of growing up and playing at Old Trafford.
It’s synonymous with club legends, exudes raw talent and is only awarded to the very best of the best around Carrington. So, with this – here are the top ten Manchester United players who have worn the number seven shirt in the club’s history, ranked.
Please note, there are players such as Denis Law, Andrei Kanchelskis, Paul Ince, Clayton Blackmore and Nobby Stiles who have donned the iconic strip, but for just a season or so, or were associated more so with other numbers. They are not included.
12 – Mason Mount
| Position: | Attacking Midfielder |
| Appearances: | 12 |
| Goals: | 0 | Years at Manchester United: | 2023 – present |
Mason Mount has to be at 12th. He has not had a great start to his Manchester United career. Plagued by injuries, he’s barely featured. It will likely get better for the Red Devils’ new number seven, but for now, he unfortunately sits last.
11 – Alexis Sanchez
| Position: | Centre-forward |
| Appearances: | 45 |
| Goals: | 14 | Years at Manchester United: | 2018 – 2020 |
This never quite worked out did it? Alexis Sanchez was one of the best players in the Premier League when he arrived in 2018 from Arsenal.
Manchester United thought they’d pulled off another Robin van Persie-esque situation. How wrong they were, he got nowhere near the levels he reached at the Emirates, and left after two years dubbed one of United’s worst signings ever.
10 – Angel Di Maria
| Position: | Winger/Attacking Midfielder |
| Appearances: | 32 |
| Goals: | 9 | Years at Manchester United: | 2014 – 2015 |
Ask any Manchester United fan – they’ll despise Angel Di Maria. The Argentine came to United off the back of a stellar season with Real Madrid as one of their best players. He was bang average for United all season, then left on rotten terms, for a smaller fee. A lapse of judgement.
9 – Memphis Depay
| Position: | Winger |
| Appearances: | 53 |
| Goals: | 8 | Years at Manchester United: | 2015 – 2017 |
Memphis Depay was also a disappointment. He never got to reach his potential at Old Trafford. Signed in 2015 from PSV, Depay was dubbed as the next big thing in football and was rewarded with the number seven strip.
Aside from a few astonishing performances, he never got going and was shipped off to Lyon after just two years.
8 – Michael Owen
| Position: | Centre-forward |
| Appearances: | 52 |
| Goals: | 17 | Years at Manchester United: | 2009 – 2012 |
Michael Owen is still the most surprising number seven on this list. The Liverpool legend moved to Manchester in 2009 as a free agent, with Sir Alex Ferguson keen to bring him on board.
He will forever be remembered for his goal against Manchester City in the 4-3 derby, and for that reason alone, surpassing all number sevens before him in this list.
7 – Edinson Cavani
| Position: | Centre-forward |
| Appearances: | 59 |
| Goals: | 19 | Years at Manchester United: | 2022 – 2023 |
Manchester United will be wishing they snatched up this man a few years earlier. Edinson Cavani was sensational under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his first season, bagging 17 goals.
Unfortunately for El Matador, the return of Cristiano Ronaldo made his second season not as memorable, and he left shortly after.
6 – Antonio Valencia
| Position: | Right Winger/Right Back |
| Appearances: | 339 |
| Goals: | 35 | Years at Manchester United: | 2009 – 2019 |
Now we’re getting to the business end. Antonio Valencia was a fine United number seven. Initially bought as Ronaldo’s replacement, Valencia quickly settled into life at United.
He transformed his game over the years, merging from a winger to a full-back. He was also Manchester United’s captain for a good while. He’s the most successful number seven in the post-Fergie era, no doubt.
5 – David Beckham
| Position: | Right Midfielder |
| Appearances: | 394 |
| Goals: | 85 | Years at Manchester United: | 1993 – 2003 |
David Beckham made the number seven a number to behold again at Old Trafford. A product of the class of 92 academy, Becks is one of the all-time Manchester United greats.
From glorious free-kicks to stunning crosses. Beckham was a gem of a player – and a credit to the number seven.
4 – Bryan Robson
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Appearances: | 461 |
| Goals: | 99 |
| Years at Manchester United: | 1981 – 1994 |
‘Captain Marvel’ – Bryan Robson epitomised what it was like to be a great leader at United, alongside one of the best number sevens the club has ever seen.
He exemplified leadership, resilience, and skill during his tenure, inspiring teammates and fans alike with his commanding presence and influential performances.
3 – George Best
| Position: | Winger |
| Appearances: | 470 |
| Goals: | 179 |
| Years at Manchester United: | 1963 – 1974 |
George Best at number three shows just how iconic the number seven is for Manchester United.
Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time and took a seat among Manchester United’s legends from 1963 to 1974. The Northern Ireland forward had an incredible ability with the ball as he blended beautiful skills with his blistering speed.
2 – Eric Cantona
| Position: | Centre-forward |
| Appearances: | 182 |
| Goals: | 82 | Years at Manchester United: | 1992 – 1997 |
Four-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford saw Eric Cantona take his place among the legends of Manchester United. With the No7 on his back and his collar piqued the Frenchman was a theatrical force.
He was not only iconic off the pitch but also off it. He epitomises everything a good United seven should be – but just misses out on the top spot.
1 – Cristiano Ronaldo
| Position: | Winger, Centre-forward |
| Appearances: | 346 |
| Goals: | 145 | Years at Manchester United: | 2003 – 2009, 2021 – 2022 |
Cristiano Ronaldo is a footballing god and one of the best players to ever play the game.
The forward is Portugal’s all-time record holder for caps and goals, has won the Ballon d’Or five times and won five Champions League, three Premier League and two La Liga titles.
After two stints at the club, Ronaldo is Manchester United’s greatest-ever number seven.