Edinson Cavani will now wear 21
Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the number 7 shirt for Manchester United, the club have confirmed.
Ronaldo rejoined the club 11 years after he left for Real Madrid this summer, to much fanfare. But there was uncertainty about whether he would be able to take his old number back, with Edinson Cavani wearing his favoured 7 shirt at the time of his arrival.
Premier League rules make it very difficult to change squad numbers once the season has kicked off and players have worn a certain shirt on the pitch. But on Thursday evening, Manchester United confirmed the news that their returning striker would be wearing the number he has become synonymous with since he first joined United in 2003.
A statement on the club website read:
“Manchester United can confirm that Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the iconic no.7 shirt after returning to Old Trafford
“The Portuguese superstar famously wore the legendary shirt number during his first spell at United and we can now confirm that Ronaldo will have it on his back once again.”
Cavani will therefore switch to the number 21, vacated by Dan James after his move to Leeds United. The Uruguayan striker also wears the number 21 for his country, so you’d hope this adjustment won’t disrupt the dressing room harmony too much.
