Cristiano Ronaldo is on his way back to Manchester United, but what will his shirt number be? After all, the iconic #7 jersey is already taken…
Manchester United have sealed a dream return for Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.
Ronaldo is currently in Lisbon, tying up the formalities for his grand homecoming. If everything goes to plan, he could make his second United debut against Newcastle on September 11 at Old Trafford.
But there is still one small matter the club are yet to resolve, what shirt number will Ronaldo use? Aside from the No.7 jersey, the Portuguese ace has also worn the No.28 and No.9 shirts. So, let’s run down the list of possible options here.
Number 7
Edinson Cavani is already registered for the No.7 jersey this season. To be frank, the thought of Ronaldo using any other number is unthinkable, but he may have no other choice.
According to ESPN’s Dale Johnson, the Premier League M.5 rule is crystal clear. Unless Cavani leaves or United get special dispensation, CR7 will have to use another number in the English league. A swap is not impossible, it’s just never been done before.
Premier League rule M.5 clearly states that Edinson Cavani must keep the No. 7 shirt for the whole season.
If Cristiano Ronaldo wants the No. 7 shirt, Cavani must leave. Or United must get special dispensation from the PL board, which has never before been granted. #mufc
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) August 27, 2021
Cristiano can swap numbers with Cavani for the Champions League, just not in the Premier League.
But to be fair on Cavani’s behalf, Rio Ferdinand has suggested the Uruguayan would give up his shirt number to Ronaldo. The only problem is the Premier League’s rules.
Cristiano Ronaldo can wear No. 7 in the Champions League, and players regularly do so.
For instance in 1998-99, Wes Brown wore 30 in the Champions League and 24 in domestic football.
In 2017-18, Henrikh Mkhitaryan wore 7 in the PL and 77 in UEL.
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) August 27, 2021
Number 12
Chris Smalling was the last Manchester United player to use the No.12 jersey before he joined Roma in 2020. Ronaldo’s former teammates Phil Neville and Ben Foster also used this number.
Number 15
Ronaldo’s former teammate Nemanja Vidic used the No.15 jersey during his spell at Old Trafford.
Andreas Pereira vacated the shirt number this summer upon completing a season-long loan move to Brazilian side Flamengo.
Number 24
Manchester United legends David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher have previously used the No.24 jersey – albeit briefly.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who joined Bayer Leverkusen in January, was the last player to use the shirt number.
Number 28
Ronaldo could opt for the first jersey number he used at Sporting CP by switching to No.28 at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese ace actually wore this shirt number in that famous friendly against Manchester United in 2003, where he impressed so much that Sir Alex Ferguson signed him immediately.
Facundo Pellistri, who has joined Alaves on loan in La Liga, was the last player to use this jersey.
Number 28, Cristiano Ronaldo?
Could Ronaldo use his old Sporting Lisbon number upon his Manchester United return?#MUFC #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/FGpB8QWrlV
— United View (@unitedviewtv) August 28, 2021
What are the other options for Ronaldo?
30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40 and beyond.
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