The No. 7 jersey maintains an iconic presence in the prestigious history of Manchester United. As far back as the early 80s, the jersey was an embodiment of everything the club wanted in a player. It appeared as though the players that wore this jersey were super-players, like super-soldiers who were specially created. In each of the remarkable era of the club, there has been an outstanding No. 7 making marauding, penetrating runs down the right flank.
The relevance of skillful, speedy wingers to the Manchester United set-up was quite easy to see. The on-pitch identity of the Old Trafford club was primarily counterattacking and, to a lesser extent, possession football. It was, therefore, necessary that there were players willing to run themselves into the ground and play with grime and sweat.
Over the long, long years, the Theater of Dreams has seen many explosive, excellent wingers in the No. 7 jersey. However, five have been able to stand above the rest. This does not undermine the importance of the remaining sevens to the success and achievements of the club in their time. Instead, it is a testament to the few players who were enormously talented and firmly dedicated, with their unique skill sets, including them in the Old Trafford hall of fame.
George Best
George Best was a hero to the Old Trafford faithful. The enigma was incredible during his playing days, and he laid the footwork for the lofty expectations asked of all succeeding United’s 7s. George is idolized by thousands of Red Devil fanatics, for, without a doubt, this was the first legend in the club’s No. 7 folklore.
George was born on May 22nd, 1946. He grew up in Creggan, east Belfast, as a believer in the Free Presbyterian. He was the first child of Richard Best and Anne Best. Richard belonged to the Orange Order, an order that was absolutely relevant to the family. After his first education, George attended Grosvenor High School but did not stay for long as the school specialized in Rugby, a game that held no fancy to the light, skinny boy. His next stop was Lisnasharragh High School, an academy with high regard for football.
George was discovered by a Manchester United scout in Belfast when he was 15. Formerly, he had faced rejection for being too light and small. After some trials and travels, George became an errand boy at the club, affording him the opportunity to train with the club twice a week. He made his debut in 1963, in a 1 – 0 victory over West Ham United at Old Trafford. He would go on to play until his final retirement in 1974.
Over the course of his career, George was outstanding. In his first season, he scored six goals in 26 appearances for the first team, helping the team finish 2nd in the league and to the semifinal of the FA Cup. Meanwhile, he won the Youth FA Cup the same season. In the following season, he was pivotal to the club’s league win, with his solo goal at Elland Road making the difference as the league was decided by goals average. This season, he netted 14 goals in 59 appearances. At 19, he scored two against Benfica in a European Cup quarterfinal match, earning him superstar status in the football world. He was nicknamed “O Quinto Beatle.” For all of George’s feats, however, the club never won any significant honor that season.
The following season, George won the league with the club, scoring ten goals in 45 appearances. Subsequent seasons saw George at his best, and in 1968, at the age of 22, he had won the league title, European Cup, and European Player of the Year award. He also won the Ballon d’Or that season. His decline started at this point and continued until his retirement.
George was a mesmerizing dribbler and was widely considered as one of the most skillful players of all time. He combined pace, balance, skill, two-footedness, feints, goalscoring, and the ability to evade tackles and defenders. With his wondrous skills, he was transfixing, bewitching, and delighting to watch.
Alcohol was a known companion of the skillful Irishman and had several devastating effects on his game. He was also a reputable womanizer, choosing to enjoy the company of certain women instead of showing up at training later in his career. Frank reviews how these two affected George‘s abilities and how they would go on to affect his career.
Bryan Robson
Any football fan of the 80s has been left with a lasting impression of Bryan Robson. He was a footballing god, a player with the world at his feet. He was the most exceptional player at the club and won the league twice during his time. He was exceedingly good, so good that he was Gary Neville’s reference point in an argument when he was younger. Robbo dominated the English league for several seasons, wearing the No. 7 jersey proudly and befitting. Many say he was as good as any player to have played for Manchester United. In August 2011, he was voted the Greatest Manchester United player ever.
Bryn Robson was born on 11 January 1957 in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. His father was Brian, a lorry driver, and his mother was Maureen Robson. Growing up, his idol was Wyn Davies, the explosive Newcastle forward. Robbo was a football enthusiast from an early age, and he joined a scout group only to play for the football team. He attended Birtley South Secondary Modern School before leaving for Lord Lawson of Beamish comprehensive school, where he was the captain of the football team, and as well as that of the Washington and district team.
At 15, he joined West Brom as an apprentice and would go on to play until 1981 when he moved to Manchester United. During his time at the club, he failed to nail down a starting berth with the first team.
Robson turned down a £1,000 per week contract to move to United, stating that his decision was influenced by his will to win. His transfer to Manchester was for a British record fee of £1.5 million. Robbo’s first appearance was in a 1 – 0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. Three days later, he wore the No. 7 jersey in a draw against City rivals. In his first season, he scored five goals in 35 games. In 1983, Robbo led United to its 5th FA Cup, becoming just the second Englishman to lift the trophy with the club. The following season, the team was great in Europe but could not get a grip on the league title.
In 1984, he suffered a severe injury that sidelined for many months, and he would have moved to Juventus had the club met United’s asking price. He subsequently signed a contract to keep him at the club until 1991. The following season, 1985, he led the team to another FA Cup triumph, denying Everton the chance to win a historic treble.
In the 1986 season, he suffered a shoulder dislocation that restricted him to just 21 league games. The years followed with little or no success, and it wasn’t until 1990 that he led the club to another FA Cup, thus becoming the first captain to lift three FA Cups for United.
In the 1991/92 season, the club won the European Cup Winners Cup, beating Barcelona in the Rotterdam final. The following season, the club won the league title, with Robbo scoring his only senior game for the season on the last day of the season. This season, he was restricted mostly to the bench as age, and the arrival of Eric Cantona counted against him. In the 1993/94 season, he lost his No. 7 jersey to Eric Cantona.
Bryan Robson was a midfielder that ticked all boxes. He anticipated movements very quickly and possessed an excellent goalscoring sense. He made perfect runs into the box and never backed out of a challenge. He was brave, competitive, and resolute. He could pass and head, and tackled just well as he dribbled. Robbo’s attitude towards his lows: injuries particularly, he always found a way to keep playing after it seemed like it was the end.
Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona is often regarded as the man who spearheaded Manchester United’s resurgence in football. He was the final piece of the puzzle for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in the 1990s. Cantona is a legend at Old Trafford and is widely considered as the best of his generation. Sir Alex Ferguson considers him as one of the four finest players to have played for Manchester United. Cantona was nicknamed “King Eric” by fans who adored the man with his distinctive collar. Cantona is infamously remembered for his kick on a Crystal Palace fan at Selhurst Park, earning himself an 8-month ban.
Eric Cantona was born in Marseille on May 24th, 1966. His father, Albert Cantona, was a nurse and painter, while his mom, Éléonore Raurich, was a dressmaker. Cantona came from a family of immigrants, as his father was initially from Sardinia while his mom was from Barcelona.
Cantona’s first team was a local club, SO Caillolais. At first, he was a goalkeeper, taking after his father. But, as things progressed, he discovered he enjoyed and possessed the ability to go forward. He soon moved to Auxerre, making his debut in 1983. He then went for national duty the following year. Afterward, he moved to Marseille, his favorite club, from childhood. After several transfers, he found himself in England, joining Leeds United in January 1992, and helping Leeds to win the final Football League First Division title. Cantona was excellent in his short stay at the club, scoring outstanding goals but was getting into trouble more and more often.
In November 1992, Manchester United signed Cantona for £1.2 million. He was putting on the No. 10 jersey for this season. Before his transfer, the club was performing poorly in the league, as goalscoring was a notable problem. However, upon his arrival, he immediately settled in the team and formed a deadly partnership with Mark Hughes. The club finished the season with 10 points above the team in second.
The next season, 1993/94, Cantona was allotted the No. 7 jersey, taking over from Bryan Robson. United won the league again and finished 8 points above runners-up, Blackburn Rovers. Cantona ended the season as the club’s top goalscorer with 25 goals. Cantona won three league titles in the subsequent four seasons, taking his league trophy count to 4 in 5 seasons. Cantona retired in 1997. He scored 82 goals for Manchester United in 5 years.
King Eric was a large, strong, and fast player. He was hard working and aggressive, too, combining technical skills with power. He was powerful and had a unique goalscoring ability. He was the very pinnacle of football.
Eric Cantona was a temperamental person and was often prone to violence. He was involved in several controversies, all mainly stemming from indiscipline and reckless behavior. The most famous of the lot was, however, his kung-fu kick against Crystal Palace fan at Selhurst Park. The book reflects on arguably Cantona’s lowest period and how his fiery personality influenced his game.
David Beckham
David Beckham was the face of Manchester United in the late 90s. He was devastating with the ball at his feet, and could arrow the ball anywhere he wished to. He played flashy but purposeful football, exhibiting arrogance and fineness few could rival. He started his career at Manchester United but left due to certain issues with the boss. Beckham has scored directly from a corner-kick. At United, Becks won 6 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups and 1 European Cup. Out of the magnificent sevens, he holds the individual honor to have been a part of Fergie Fledglings.
David Beckham was born to David Edward and Sandra Georgina on 2 May 1975. He fell in love with football from a very early age. As a child, he played football at Ridgeway Park, Chingford. He attended Chase Lane Primary School and then Chingford County High School. Beckham’s parents were core loyalists of Manchester United, and the young prodigy was consequently influenced. His parents always took him to Old Trafford for weekend matches, and subsequently, he developed immense love for the prestigious club too.
As mentioned earlier, Beckham came through the ranks at Manchester United alongside other young players, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs. Becks was part of the team that won the Youth FA Cup in 1992. He got to the youth finals the next year, but the club couldn’t defeat Leeds United over two legs.
In the 1994/95 season, Becks was loaned to Preston End and returned to Old Trafford at the 1995/96 season. He, however, made just four appearances for the team that season. The departure of the older, more established players created spaces for the young, exciting players, and Becks quickly established himself as the team’s first-choice winger. He was pivotal as the team won successive Premier League titles, dominating English football with its scintillating play.
In the 1997/98 season, Beckham inherited the No. 7 jersey upon Cantona’s retirement. The club finished the league second behind Arsenal. In the 1998/99 season, the team achieved the famous treble, securing the domestic double and the UEFA Champions League. A very telling contribution was on the final day of the season: a 25-yard curling screamer against Tottenham in a must-win match. In the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, he delivered two assists, over-turning the match in the Red’s favor. That season, he was a runner-up to Rivaldo for the European Footballer of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. This was the birth of another legendary seven.
The following season, Beckham was instrumental United’s league win. He would go on to deliver spectacular performances for the club over the coming season. However, he soon had a strained relationship with Sir. Alex Ferguson over the media glare that followed his marriage to Victoria. In 2003, the pair could not keep working together, and the Old Trafford hierarchy sold him to Real Madrid, signaling the end of another No. 7 reign.
Beckham’s lowest moment, which was arguably his red card in the world cup while playing for England. Becks drew from his personality, attitude, and strength after this gloomy period.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is perhaps the greatest player to have graced the traditional red-and-black jersey of Manchester United. In fact, Sir. Alex considers him as one of the four most talented players he coached during his 23-year stay at the club. He was at the club for just six years, coming in just when Becks was departing and leaving for Real Madrid due to his ambitions for more success. During his time as the club’s No. 7, Ronaldo helped the club wade through an identity crisis, reclaiming the leadership mantle from rival clubs and setting the winning standards higher. In fact, Christiano Ronaldo redefined football.
Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Madeira Island to José Dinis Aveiro and Maria Dolores Spinola. His beginning was humble, and he shared a room with his numerous siblings while growing up. From 1992 to 1995, he played for Andorinha before spending two years at Nacional. In 1997, he moved to Sporting Lisbon as an amateur player. He was 14 then. A year later, he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required him to undergo surgery. In 2002, he made his debut in the Primeira Liga.
In 2003, he moved to Manchester United on a year-long loan but was permanently signed at the end of the season for £12.24 million. Upon his transfer, Ronaldo was the most expensive teenager in the history of English football and was the first Portuguese to play for the illustrious Manchester side. He requested to wear the No. 28 jersey but received the No. 7 instead, and this became an additional source of motivation to him as he realized the legacy behind the number.
On 23 August 2003, Ronaldo made his debut in a 4 -0 win over Bolton Wanderers, coming on a substitute in the 60th minute. This was the beginning of an extraordinary dynasty. On 1 November, he netted his first goal for the club, a curling free kick in a win over Portsmouth. He scored three more goals that season, with the last coming on the last day of the season. In this match, he earned his first red. He won the FA Cup the same year. He won the Football League Club cup in the 2005-2006 season.
The 2007/08 season was his coming out season. He scored more than 20 goals, breaking his personal best record. With his explosive pace and powerful, accurate shots, he led the club to the first Premier League title since the days of David Beckham. He won the Player of the Year award for November and December due to his fantastic play. His performance this season was at a new level, and this earned him a host of personal awards, namely the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Player’s Player, Fans’ Player, and Young Player of the Year, Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association awards. The same year, he ended 3rd in the Ballon d’Or ranking.
In 2008, he netted 31 league goals to win the Premier League Golden Boot as well as the European Golden Shoe. Consecutively, he won PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards. He also won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
The book stops at this point in Ronaldo’s United career. Frank then assesses Ronaldo’s temperaments, arrogance, and personality and the effects they had on his career. Frank mentions his dark periods too, highlighting the significance they had on his game. Frank, alongside famous psychologists, evaluates the factors that make Ronaldo tick and perform at the top despite that he was just a teenager when he arrived. Ronaldo closes the chapter on the Magnificent Seven. This is truly the last outstanding No. 7 in Manchester United’s history.
In this informative book, Frank gives valuable insights into the lives of these five men. He combines with coaches and psychologists to understand what made these players excel consistently and provide much more than everyone else over their glittering careers. With commendable research and impressive style, Frank gives rare foresight into the making of the magnificent sevens.
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