The ‘genius’ at Manchester United can steal Mount’s No. 7 shirt

To some, the shirt number may seem arbitrary, although it is difficult to ignore the status and importance of the number seven. Manchester Unitedhaving become synonymous with the brightest and best at the club.

From Eric Cantona, to David Beckham, to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Red Devils have enjoyed a glittering 17-year spell in the league. Premier League This shirt had a legitimate place, as all three wore it with distinction.

However, in the 16 years since Ronaldo left Real Madrid, the number 7 has become something of a poisoned chalice, a cursed offering to a succession of new arrivals who all felt content to be cheated.

current occupant, Mason MountHe scored just five goals during an injury-plagued two-year spell at Old Trafford, with questions likely being raised as to whether the Englishman deserved the honor in the first place.

Talented, but undoubtedly unreliable due to his frequent spells on the treatment table, Mount could benefit from easing that burden and pressure on himself, with… Reuben Amorim He may already have the perfect successor lined up.

The curse of Manchester United, number seven after Ronaldo

Have United really recovered from the summer of 2009? Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez were out, with Sir Alex Ferguson securing Gabriel Obertan, Antonio Valencia and an aging Michael Owen as their replacements.

This dramatic decline in quality perhaps sums up the malaise that occurred during the Glazers’ much-maligned regime, as initial success after Ronaldo was quickly extinguished in the years following Ferguson’s retirement.

The transition from Portuguese sensation to that man Owen as the club’s new No.7 remains a surprising one, with the former England international – Which Manchester derby goal aside – proves something forgotten at Old Trafford.

The mantle was then passed to Valencia in the 2012/13 season, although the Ecuadorian quickly relinquished that status, while the next recipient – ​​Angel Di Maria – only lasted one season before leaving the club for Paris Saint-Germain.

Meanwhile, Memphis Depay scored just seven goals in 53 games before being sacked by Jose Mourinho, while Alexis Sanchez could only score five times in 45 games, during his miserable £400,000-a-week spell at the club.

Fellow South American star Edinson Cavani enjoyed a promising first season as the No.7 with 17 goals in all competitions, before the decision was made to give the honor to the returning Ronaldo instead, for the 2021/22 season.

The Portuguese goal machine’s eventual return proved short-lived, amid his stunning exit under Erik Ten Hag, with Mount later claiming that honor following his arrival in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea.

Overall, the shirt has been an albatross around the neck for a string of high-profile figures, with United now needing to look inward to find a legitimate holder once again.

Why should Bruno Fernandes be the new number seven?

The man who scored the opening goal against Sunderland last time out, Mount has shown glimpses that he can be a standout figure under Amorim, with the Portuguese coach hailing him as a “A proper football playerHe arrived at the club just under a year ago.

As we previously highlighted, unfortunately, the 26-year-old cannot be trusted to remain injury-free, having made just 53 appearances in all competitions since joining. In a deal worth 55 million pounds sterling.

Whether Mount stays or goes next summer, United would be wise to consider repopulating the number seven, with a leader they can always rely on. Bruno FernandesHe certainly deserves and deserves such an honor.

Described as “genius” Posted by Ten Hag Fernandes has been central to anything and everything good at the club over the past five years or so, having recently reached 100 goals from the 298 appearances he has now made.

With a further 86 assists to add to the equation, the 31-year-old has long been United’s main provider and top scorer, a fact that was only emphasized last season, as he finished with 38 goals on all fronts.

Despite wanting an exit last summer and during the recent window – amid interest from Saudi Arabia – the Red Devils captain has remained fiercely loyal to the club, and appears to relish his magical status as the central figure in the squad.

From the start, the former Sporting Lisbon man has been a game-changer for United, even while those around him may have struggled, with comparisons to that man Cantona flowing amid his early influence at Old Trafford.

Although the titles have unfortunately not continued to the degree they did after the Frenchman’s entry in 1992, Fernandes is a similarly heroic figure, carrying the responsibility on his back time and time again.

Like Cantona, he is certainly not perfect – having notably seen red on three occasions in 2024/25 – but the sometimes flammable playmaker makes up for that with his frequent genius.

There may have been a couple of penalty kicks missed this season, but Fernandes has never shied away from the pressure and the spotlight, displaying all the traits of a player worthy of joining the likes of Cantona and Ronaldo in the next seven.

Taking that status away from Mount would perhaps be a brutal act, although few would argue against rewarding Fernandes for such good service with a well-deserved promotion.