Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the No 7 shirt again at Manchester United after the club was granted dispensation by the Premier League to allocate him the number.
Ronaldo re-signed for United on Deadline Day from Juventus on a two-year contract, with the option to extend for another year.
The Portuguese forward famously wore the No 7 shirt in his first spell at United, but there were concerns he may not have been able to wear that number this season with Edinson Cavani occupying the jersey.
However, with the departure of Daniel James to Leeds on Deadline Day, United have been given permission by the Premier League for Cavani to take James' vacant No 21 shirt, with Ronaldo reclaiming the No 7 shirt from Cavani.
Ronaldo said: "I wasn't sure if it would be possible to have the number seven shirt again. So I would like to say a huge thank you to Edi (Cavani) for this incredible gesture."
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United's announcement came hours after Ronaldo was released early from the Portugal squad after picking up a suspension.
The 36-year-old scored a world record 110th international goal as he fired Portugal to a dramatic victory over the Republic of Ireland in Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier.
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Ronaldo's record goal cancelled out John Egan's opener with just a minute remaining at the Estadio Algarve, and he then completed the job with his 111th in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win.
But after removing his shirt in celebration he was cautioned by Slovenian referee Matej Jug and, having been booked earlier in the campaign, is suspended for Tuesday night's trip to Azerbaijan.
A statement on the Portuguese Football Federation's official website said: "Cristiano Ronaldo was excused from the stage of the national team this Thursday.
"The yellow card seen against Ireland, being the second in this stage of qualification, forces him to fulfil an official game of suspension, which will happen against Azerbaijan."
Ronaldo's release means he will also miss Saturday's friendly against World Cup hosts Qatar in Hungary, although there is no indication as yet as to when he will join up with United.
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Ronaldo: I'm so happy to be home
Ronaldo has expressed his delight to be back "home" at United and is hungry to create more history with the club.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's return to Old Trafford was made official on Tuesday morning, as he signed a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further year.
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Ronaldo scored a total of 551 club goals across spells at Real Madrid and Juventus after leaving United in 2009, and in an interview with the club, the 36-year-old said it is now the right moment for him to return.
Ronaldo told the official Manchester United website: "I have a fantastic history with this amazing club. I was there at 18 years old and of course I'm so happy to be back home after 12 years. So I'm really glad and looking forward to starting my first game.
"I think it's the best decision that I have made. It's right on point in my opinion.
"I moved from Juve now to Manchester, it's a new chapter, I'm so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies and number one of them, to win great things."
How to follow Ronaldo's second Man Utd debut
Manchester United host Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday September 11 (3pm kick-off).
You can follow the game with our live blog on the Sky Sports website and app - and get details of Solskjaer's starting line-up as soon as the teams are announced at 2pm.
You won't need to wait long to see the match highlights - we'll bring them to you for free from 5.15pm on the Sky Sports website and app, as well as on our Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.
And we'll serve up the best stats, analysis and reaction after the game.
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FAQs
Cristiano Ronaldo to wear iconic No 7 shirt again at Manchester United; Ronaldo reclaims number from Edinson Cavani who takes No 21 shirt vacated by Daniel James; Ronaldo said: "I would like to say a huge thank you to Edi (Cavani) for this incredible gesture."
How did Ronaldo get number 7 from Cavani? ›
Why did Cavani give up the No. 7 jersey to Ronaldo? Under Premier League rules, once a player has been allocated a number for the season, it cannot be changed. However, league officials sanctioned a special dispensation to allow Cavani to change jerseys and hand Ronaldo his iconic number.
Why does Cavani wear 21? ›
Even though Cavani played his first match of the 2021–22 season against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the number 7 shirt, upon the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, he agreed to switch to the number 21 shirt, the same number he wears for the Uruguay national team.
Who is man u number 7 now? ›
Mason Mount has been given the number seven at Manchester United, meaning he takes over from Cristiano Ronaldo in the shirt.
Who wore number 7 for Manchester United in 1973? ›
Manchester United home-shirt, with the number 7 printed on the back, which the English giants used during the 1973/74 season. Some of the worlds greatest icons have worn the famous number 7 for Manchester United, but not many are bigger than George Best.
Why is the number 7 so important to Ronaldo? ›
United legends like George Best, Eric Cantona. and David Beckham had donned the No. 7 Jersey, making it iconic. After Beckham's departure, and with the Jersey vacant, Sir Alex Ferguson, upon witnessing Ronaldo's talent, felt he deserved the legendary number.
When did Ronaldo get number 7? ›
Ronaldo made his Manchester United debut wearing the No. 7 jersey number after coming on as a substitute against Bolton Wanderers in United's 2003-04 Premier League season opener at Old Trafford. The rest, as they say, is history. Over his next six seasons at Manchester, Cristiano Ronaldo made the No.
Why did Cavani leave Manchester United? ›
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The move comes after Cavani left Manchester United this summer, saying that his tenure left him with a "bitter taste" due to the lack of personal and team success during his final campaign at Old Trafford.
Why is Edinson Cavani not in FIFA 21? ›
Summer signing Cavani wasn't even added to the virtual United squad on FIFA 21 until the day after the game was officially released, with the former Paris Saint-Germain forward joining Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad. This enabled FIFA fans to use him on modes such as Kick-Off, Career Mode etc.
Will Cavani be punished? ›
FIFA on Saturday (AEDT) revealed Cavani and captain Godin have been hit with a one-match suspension, while they must also participate in community football service and pay a fine of $23,000.
Eric Cantona
The first Man Utd No. 7 of the Premier League era, Eric Cantona inherited the shirt from Bryan Robson, big shoes to fill at Old Trafford. Five years later, Cantona left Man Utd and retired in 1997, having truly lived up to the expectations of the No.
Who is the best 7 man United? ›
Highlights
| Every Manchester United Number 7 ranked |
|---|
| Rank | Player | Years at Manchester United |
| 1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2003 - 2009 and 2021 - 2022 |
| 2. | Eric Cantona | 1992 - 1997 |
| 3. | George Best | 1963 - 1974 |
9 more rowsFeb 14, 2024
7s: From Eric Cantona to Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham to Mason Mount. Manchester United, of course, have had some truly iconic players wear the famed No. 7 shirt, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best, and Bryan Robson.
Who wore Man U No 7 before Ronaldo? ›
So many iconic names have worn the prestigious Manchester United jersey, but there are some names that have cemented themselves in history thanks to one number, seven. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to name some from a lineage that will live on for years to come.
Who is the best number 7 in football history? ›
Among the top footballers to have ever played, Ronaldo takes the top spot and is the best number 7 to have played in the history of football.
Who has worn number 8 for Manchester United? ›
On 1 July, Manchester United announced that they had changed Fernandes' squad number from 18 to his preferred number 8, the same number he wore during his time for Sporting CP and as a tribute to his birth date and his father, upon the departure of Juan Mata, after his contract expired.
Who was number 7 in Man United before Ronaldo? ›
So many iconic names have worn the prestigious Manchester United jersey, but there are some names that have cemented themselves in history thanks to one number, seven. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to name some from a lineage that will live on for years to come.
Who was number 7 when Ronaldo went to Real Madrid? ›
Following Raúl's departure, Ronaldo was given the number 7 shirt for Madrid before the 2010–11 season. His subsequent return to his Ballon d'Or-winning form was epitomised when, for the first time in his career, he scored four goals in a single match during a 6–1 rout against Racing Santander on 23 October.
Who wore number 7 before Ronaldo at Man Utd? ›
Highlights
| Every Manchester United Number 7 ranked |
|---|
| 1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2003 - 2009 and 2021 - 2022 |
| 2. | Eric Cantona | 1992 - 1997 |
| 3. | George Best | 1963 - 1974 |
| 4. | David Beckham | 1993 - 2003 |
9 more rowsFeb 14, 2024
7s: From Eric Cantona to Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham to Mason Mount. Manchester United, of course, have had some truly iconic players wear the famed No. 7 shirt, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best, and Bryan Robson.
