Should Cavani take the no.7 shirt at Manchester United?

It seems as if Manchester United have finally salvaged something out of the dying days of the ongoing summer transfer window. 

According to the reports, Manchester United have agreed to pay a jaw-dropping amount of over £200k-per-week wage for a reported span of two years to Edinson Cavani. 

Cavani was a free agent. And hence, United won’t have to pay any transfer fee. But the deal involves an enormous €10m agent fee, as confirmed by several claims.   

The reported arrival of Edison Cavani to the ‘Theater of Dreams’ has already induced a surge of excitement within the fans base.

And everyone, or almost everyone, is keen to witness the 33-year-old making it for the 20 times English winners. 

For the wholehearted enthusiasts, it doesn’t matter whether he struggled with a number of unprecedented injuries last season or has not had played football over the last few months. It is all about how good the Uruguayan striker has been over the years.

And then comes the most important yet controversial question — “should Manchester United hand him the no.7 shirt?”

There prevails the silence no one wants to disrupt.

Manchester United’s no.7 jersey is the one every player dreams of wearing.

The coveted no.7 jersey occupies the perspiration of Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and several other iconic individuals. 

However, ever since Sir Alex Ferguson left his beloved club, Manchester United’s no.7 jersey has not had observed many owners worthy of it.

Some notable names who have failed to cope with the pressure of #7 over the years include the likes of Antonio Valencia, Memphis Depay, and Alexis Sanchez. 

Yes

Although the 33-year-old Uruguyan striker has had his critics when it comes to scrutinising his recent injury records, there shouldn’t be any doubt that the former PSG no.9 has it all it needs to make a difference in bigger stages. He is all about sheer class. 

He could help the likes of Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood improve their games with some effective tips from his abundance of experience. 

A signing like Edison Cavani means zillions of zealots would now buy the club merchandise, which will help United from a commercial point of view. 

Having scored 200 goals from 301 matches for PSG, Cavani has already registered his name in the pages of history.

He used to score those goals wearing the no.9 shirt for the French side. However, the no.9 shirt is currently unavailable due to the occupancy of Martial over it. 

And with Mason Greenwood already given no.11 at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, it certainly seems as if the Uruguayan goal poacher is the most favourite candidate to be given the illustrious number, for now, at least. 

Additionally, it is a great commercial decision given the shirt sales and fan-base expansion Cavani will bring in. United could really use some money in these difficult times. Plus, he signs a two-year contract so it keeps the doors open for mega signings to come in and take the shirt.

No

Manchester United have a long list of players who have had handled the weight of United’s no.7 shirt and an even longer list of players who have had failed to match the expectation with the illustrious number at the back. 

Cavani could be a candidate for the latter one. 

First of all, he, 33, is not going to serve United in a long run.

In addition, he has had an eye-watering injury record, meaning there are obvious doubts over his availability for the whole season. 

It has been reported widely that Manchester United would hand the no.7 shirt to Jadon Sancho, who is expected to complete a move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United in the ongoing summer transfer window. 

If the deal somehow fails, United should wait and showcase the sign of being patience while choosing the next no.7 as their recent records have not been so good. 

They should give it to someone able to provide them with his service for more than two years.