Mason Mount's Future at Man Utd: Evaluating His Potential Amidst the Legacy of Iconic No. 7 Players like Beckham and Ronaldo
With his transfer from Chelsea to Old Trafford, MASON MOUNT will be responsible for donning the club’s legendary No. 7 jersey.
George Best, Bryan Robson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham all wore it and helped popularize it by playing exciting football in their own ways.
However, it has also been a hefty weight for those who have worn the jersey since Ronaldo first wore it before leaving in 2009. After returning to Old Trafford in 2021, even CR7 had trouble playing there.
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Mount is the latest to try and succeed where so many others have failed: in withstanding the shirt’s intense pressure.
The midfielder signed a £60 million contract with the club after leaving Chelsea, earning him an average of £250,000 per week.
NEIL CUSTIS of SunSport examines the successes and failures of Manchester United’s legendary jersey.
HITS
GEORGE BEST (1963-74)
There has never been a more exciting sight than Ronaldo in full flight.
Manchester United’s worldwide recognition can be attributed in large part to the first fluttering black-and-white photographs of Best on the ball.
It’s even more impressive when you think about the conditions of the fields on which the 1968 European Cup winner performed his magic.
He played in 470 games for the team, scoring 179 times.
BRYAN ROBSON (1981-94)
The first Captain Marvel will be remembered fondly for his daring feats, many of which were accomplished at Old Trafford and will live on in legend.
When Barcelona, led by Diego Maradona, arrived to Manchester in the second leg of the European Cup Winners Cup quarterfinal in 1983–1984, it was the greatest match of all time.
Robson’s finest hour has arrived. He scored twice and set off United’s incredible 3-0 victory. Never did he leave anything unsaid.
DAVID BECKHAM (1992-2003)
For all the attention paid to his fame and good looks, it’s a shame that his football skills are sometimes overlooked.
Few players, though, can equal his speed and accuracy when delivering a dead ball, a cross from the flank, or a ball through from deep.
From the day he scored the iconic goal from half field against Wimbledon, he never did tap-ins and always had an eye for the exceptional.
ERIC CANTONA (1992-1997)
The spark that set off the Sir Alex years of dominance. Cantona’s Leeds were in need of a spark after blowing the 1992 title game, and the swagger and confidence he brought to the team was just what they needed.
His success at Old Trafford continued, as in five years he won four league titles and two FA Cups while scoring 82 goals in 185 games.
As quickly as he had appeared, he was gone once more, never to be forgotten.
STEVE COPPELL (1975-1983)
While his name may not be as well-known as some others, anyone who remembers seeing Coppell tear down the wing in the 1970s and 1980s would attest to the fact that his place among the greats is well-deserved.
Three FA Cup finals were won when he was wearing No. 7, including 1977’s 2-1 triumph over Liverpool.
CRISTIANO RONALDO (2003-2009 & 2021-2022)
During his first stay at Old Trafford, the Portuguese superstar was among the world’s top players.
With the club, Ronaldo won the Premier League three times, the FA Cup once, the League Cup twice, and the Champions League once.
He eventually left for Real Madrid in 2009, where he competed with Lionel Messi for the title of finest player in the world.
After leaving Juventus in 2021, Ronaldo immediately returned to United, where he led the team in goals scored during his first season back despite showing indications of decline from his initial stint with the club.
After Erik ten Hag was hired as manager in 2022, tensions quickly rose to a boiling point. After an explosive interview with Piers Morgan led to the mutual termination of his employment, the prodigal son was gone again within a matter of months.
An unsightly climax for the fallen idol occurred when Ronaldo, upset at being dropped to the bench and struggling for playing time under Ten Hag, stormed down the Old Trafford tunnel after refusing to come on as a substitute.
Many, however, feel that Ronaldo’s return to the club cannot diminish the luster they placed on his previous stint here.
MISSES
MEMPHIS DEPAY (2015-2017)
The Premier League clubs Liverpool and Arsenal were interested in signing the Dutchman, but United manager Louis van Gaal ultimately won over.
After an inconsequential 18 months on the field, the winger was released.
A disappointment from the start, he complained about having to play twice as many games every week.
Dutch coach Co Adriaanse said he will be remembered most for dressing like a “Peruvian pan flute player” when reporting for international duty.
ANGEL DI MARIA (2014-2015)
Wow, Van Gaal really did make that choice, didn’t he?
Van Gaal’s mind-numbing tactics contributed to Di Maria’s dismal stint at Old Trafford just as much as the player himself.
The coach was the source of my issues in Manchester. Van Gaal was the worst boss I ever had. No statues are in the works, that much is clear.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ (2018-2020)
There has never been a time when so much was spent on so little. His performances were as bad as his attitude.
Since Henrikh Mkhitaryan transferred in the opposite direction in January 2018, this is the most costly free transfer ever.
He made 45 appearances for United and scored five goals despite costing the club almost £60 million in salary, add-ons, signing fees, etc. They were unable to rush him out of the building fast enough.
MICHAEL OWEN (2009-2012)
The striker did not set United back as much as Sanchez did since he signed a pay-as-you-play contract.
Owen only had five Premier League goals for United. That game was one of the greatest Manchester derbies ever, and he scored the game-winning goal with seconds remaining.
The United No. 7 just didn’t feel right on his shoulders, especially considering his ties to United’s bitter rivals Liverpool.
