HAS THE NUMBER SEVEN SHIRT FROM MAN UNITED BEEN CURSED SINCE RONALDO LEFT??

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Manchester United have always had great pride in their number seven shirt. Since Cristiano Ronaldo travelled back overseas and went to Madrid things haven't really worked out. There have been some illustrious names that have worn the number seven shirt over the years, including Eric Cantona, George Best and Bryan Robson. Who can forget David Beckham with his goal from his own half.

Right now it is Alexis Sanchez that wears the number seven and it's 10 years since Ronaldo left for Real. With five players having worn the number seven since Ronaldo it has been a remarkable failure, with them contributing just 14 goals between them in all that time. With Man United now looking like they are seriously struggling to get a top four spot after theirdraw with Chelsea, and with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s honeymoon period well and truly over the bookies reckon that Alexis Sanchez may well be on his way out this summer. If the bookies are right then who can possibly fit that number seven shirt for next year?

Immediately following the departure of Ronaldo Michael Owen took over the shirt and scored five goals in the league. Owen explained that he hadn't been the first choice to wear the number seven, and that Antonio Valencia had rejected the shirt because he didn't want the extra pressure of the number. Valencia explained that it was more that he wanted the number 25 shirt because he had such a positive experience wearing it. Valencia had certainly set the bar high in 2012 but niggling back problems and struggles in training meant he wasn't able to recapture that form and now he's gone back to the 25 shirt he seems to be back on track.

Angel Di Maria also struggled in the number seven shirt with just 27 appearances and three goals during his one season at old Trafford. One of the starlets that is heavily linked with Manchester United, and could possibly wear the number seven is Jadon Sancho, currently at Borussia Dortmund with several clubs in the running for Alexis Sanchez this summer it seems with an Italian club at 3/1 and a Spanish club at 6/1 on some betting sites, will Sanchez come and will he be able to break the curse of the number seven shirt.

Here is what the bookmakers are saying.

The rookies reckon that at least five players will leave old Trafford in the summer and that Alexis Sanchez could well be one of them. Reports are that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants a centre back and a right back. Recent odds of Sancho joining United have been slashed by several bookmakers with a flurry of support with some having him at 5/1.

The best UK bookmakers 2019 to 2020 Premier League odds don't look pleasant reading for Manchester United. The closest favourites to Man City for next year is Liverpool at 3/1 with Manchester United a rather long odds 9/1.

Manchester United certainly need to change the fortunes with some outgoings andincomings, and the number seven shirt looks to be key to their progress and the shirt they gonna need a lot of productivity from in order to be successful over the coming years.

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