Manchester United are primed to conclude the signing of Jadon Sancho. However, Express Sport understands the Red Devils are yet to make a decision over the England international’s shirt number. Previous reports had claimed he’d replace Edinson Cavani as their No 7, but that isn’t the case.
Manchester United made a breakthrough with Dortmund over Sancho on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils agreed a £72million fee, with no add-ons, making him their third most-expensive signing of all time.
It’s a major victory for United, who have spent the last four years chasing the player – with interest dating back to his time at fierce rivals Manchester City.
In the aftermath of the development, it was suggested Sancho would wear the club’s No 7 shirt.
Yet Express Sport has been informed that the club are yet to make a decision over what jersey the 21-year-old will wear once his move is officially complicated.
United had reserved the special No 7 shirt for Sancho 12 months ago, believing the Dortmund star would be a worthy occupant.
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But when Edinson Cavani demanded it during transfer negotiations, the Red Devils opted to give it to the Uruguay international instead.
United would be unwise to risk upsetting Cavani by stripping him of the number, especially given how he was set on a move to Boca Juniors just mere months ago.
Yet there’s no denying Sancho would fit the bill if he was to receive it instead.
The No 7 is special over at Old Trafford, having been worn by several club legends over the years.
George Best had it on his back when he propelled the club to European Cup glory back in 1968, with Eric Cantona also doing it justice.
David Beckham wore it for both club and country during his time at the Theatre of Dreams, while it was also given to Cristiano Ronaldo when he touched down in 2003.
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Cavani aside, however, occupants in recent years have let the shirt down.
Angel Di Maria had so much promise and potential when he was given the jersey back in the summer transfer window of 2014, shortly after his move from Real Madrid.
Yet the Argentina international spent just 12 months in the Premier League before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain, in a move sanctioned by Louis van Gaal.
It was a similar story with Memphis Depay, too, who spent a mere 18 months at United before being offloaded to Lyon.
And the less said about Alexis Sanchez, the better.
Meanwhile, regarding Sancho, Rio Ferdinand has hailed the imminent arrival of the Dortmund star and believes he’ll add a new dimension to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attack.
“We still need other parts. There’s other cogs we need still,” he said.
“On the right hand side, and the left hand side, we haven’t got a winger who goes on the outside. Who goes on the outside, and can cross the ball.
“That’s what you need. He can go both ways, plays with both feet, and on that right wing, as well as Mason’s done, and I’m a massive Mason Greenwood fan, out there, having a winger.
“This is Man United, always associate yourselves with wingers, always have done over the years. In our most successful times, there’s always been wide players who can go out there and cross the ball.
“Mason, he comes inside, he wants goals. It’s a good element, it’s an important aspect, but Jadon will give you both options, and for a full-back, terrible news.
“That’s the beautiful thing about him, the game doesn’t quicken up in his mind.
“He gets into those fast situations where for a lot of players it becomes hazy. His is a clear picture still, running at full speed or not. He sees it in pure HD.
“That’s the element he’s going to bring, and the element of going out on the outside, beating the full-back and crossing it.
“Then you’ve got Mason Greenwood, Cavani, Rashford coming in from the other side. We should be getting more goals from those scenarios next season to add to the attacking variety.”
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