So, a new season of the Barclays Premier League is here. There have been monumental changes, both in terms of management and players. The biggest of them all has to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement as Manchester United manager. The long-serving Scot finally called it a day last season after 27 glorious years at the club. Fergie not only oversaw a massive transition at United, but he was the main catalyst behind its emergence as the biggest football club on the planet. His journey from 1986 to 2013 is nothing short of a spectacle. But before he departed, he made sure that the club would be nestled safely in the right hands. David Moyes, who managed Everton for 11 years, was chosen as Sir Alex’s successor.
His managerial skills have been put to the test straight away as the Wayne Rooney-saga rumbles on.
So, that is the case at Old Trafford. But, the Premier League has seen a huge overhaul as well.
Surprised to see Mourinho’s name in there? Yes, the self-proclaimed “Special One” is back at his old hunting ground.
Also, the league will be without a host of famous players that have decided to hang up their boots — Paul Scholes (Man Utd), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Stoke), Steve Harper (Newcastle), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Stiliyan Petrov (Aston Villa) and Phil Neville (Everton).
All things aside, the spotlight is constantly focusing on one man — David Moyes. He has the huge task of replacing Sir Alex and will be inheriting a perfectly-balanced squad of champions.
Which brings us to the crux of the matter. The #7 jersey at United is lying vacant. Its last custodian, Antonio Valencia has shifted back to his previous squad number of 25.
The #7 jersey has always belonged to a special player, not only at United, but at other clubs as well where the current custodians are: Ramires for Chelsea, Tomas Rosicky for Arsenal, Luis Suarez (when he’s not biting other players) for Liverpool, Aaron Lennon for Tottenham and James Milner for Manchester City.
At United, the coveted jersey has been worn by a number of stars down the years. Here’s a look at all of them:
GEORGE BEST
Dubbed the Fifth Beatle for his amazing looks Best was one of the finest players to wear the red of Manchester. He joined United as a 15-year old, making his debut in 1963. Best would go on to make 474 appearances for United and score 181 goals. Although his career was blighted by alcoholism, he produced some memorable football during his time at United.
ERIC CANTONA
King Eric, as he was fondly called by the United faithful, was an instant driving force when he signed from bitter rivals Leeds United in 1992, and helped United win the first Premier League. Cantona was easily the most controversial player to don the #7 jersey. Who can forget his famous scuffle with a Crystal Palace fan that had him banned for four months. Although he announced a surprisingly premature retirement in 1997, his name is still sung with utmost pride and pomp at Old Trafford.
DAVID BECKHAM
If Cantona was the most controversial of them all, David Beckham has to be the most popular of the lot. The Englishman was an astute dead-ball specialist. His trademark bending free kicks were a joy to watch. I don’t think there was anyone – apart from a certain Paul Scholes – who could match Beckham’s impeccable range of passing. Albeit he did wear the #10 jersey for a while, he took over the #7 once Cantona retired and made it his own. He left United in 2003 after the infamous “boot-to-the forehead-incident” and joined Real Madrid.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
The Portuguese wing-wizard was signed from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and took over the jersey once Beckham departed. He had requested for #28 when he joined, but was handed the #7 jersey by Sir Alex. Many questioned his ability, but boy did he prove them wrong. Ronaldo spent six years at Old Trafford, making 292 appearances and scoring 118 goals. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008 and also won the Ballon d’Or during his time with United. His performances eventually caught the eye of super-rich Real Madrid, who paid a world-record fee of £80 million for his services.
MICHAEL OWEN
Wait, didn’t he play for Liverpool? Well, ummm, he did. Owen is probably the most surprising name on this list. Signed by Sir Alex, on a free transfer, Owen endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful after scoring a 96 th -minute winner against arch-rivals Manchester City in a Manchester Derby that ended 4-3. He spent three years at United winning the Premier League in 2010-11, before joining Stoke City and eventually retiring last season.
There are other notable mentions: Bryan Robson and Antonio Valencia, but the likes of Best, Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo had a profound impact on how United performed and one wonders who David Moyes will sign now as the custodian of the #7 jersey that lies vacant at Manchester United.
His managerial skills have been put to the test straight away as the Wayne Rooney-saga rumbles on.
So, that is the case at Old Trafford. But, the Premier League has seen a huge overhaul as well.
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There are outgoing managers — Roberto Mancini (Manchester City), Rafael Benitez (Chelsea), Tony Pulis (Stoke City), and then there are the ones who replaced them — Manuel Pellegrini (City), Jose Mourinho (Chelsea) and Mark Hughes (Stoke).
Surprised to see Mourinho’s name in there? Yes, the self-proclaimed “Special One” is back at his old hunting ground.
Also, the league will be without a host of famous players that have decided to hang up their boots — Paul Scholes (Man Utd), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Stoke), Steve Harper (Newcastle), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Stiliyan Petrov (Aston Villa) and Phil Neville (Everton).
All things aside, the spotlight is constantly focusing on one man — David Moyes. He has the huge task of replacing Sir Alex and will be inheriting a perfectly-balanced squad of champions.
Which brings us to the crux of the matter. The #7 jersey at United is lying vacant. Its last custodian, Antonio Valencia has shifted back to his previous squad number of 25.
The #7 jersey has always belonged to a special player, not only at United, but at other clubs as well where the current custodians are: Ramires for Chelsea, Tomas Rosicky for Arsenal, Luis Suarez (when he’s not biting other players) for Liverpool, Aaron Lennon for Tottenham and James Milner for Manchester City.
At United, the coveted jersey has been worn by a number of stars down the years. Here’s a look at all of them:
GEORGE BEST
Dubbed the Fifth Beatle for his amazing looks Best was one of the finest players to wear the red of Manchester. He joined United as a 15-year old, making his debut in 1963. Best would go on to make 474 appearances for United and score 181 goals. Although his career was blighted by alcoholism, he produced some memorable football during his time at United.
ERIC CANTONA
King Eric, as he was fondly called by the United faithful, was an instant driving force when he signed from bitter rivals Leeds United in 1992, and helped United win the first Premier League. Cantona was easily the most controversial player to don the #7 jersey. Who can forget his famous scuffle with a Crystal Palace fan that had him banned for four months. Although he announced a surprisingly premature retirement in 1997, his name is still sung with utmost pride and pomp at Old Trafford.
DAVID BECKHAM
If Cantona was the most controversial of them all, David Beckham has to be the most popular of the lot. The Englishman was an astute dead-ball specialist. His trademark bending free kicks were a joy to watch. I don’t think there was anyone – apart from a certain Paul Scholes – who could match Beckham’s impeccable range of passing. Albeit he did wear the #10 jersey for a while, he took over the #7 once Cantona retired and made it his own. He left United in 2003 after the infamous “boot-to-the forehead-incident” and joined Real Madrid.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
The Portuguese wing-wizard was signed from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and took over the jersey once Beckham departed. He had requested for #28 when he joined, but was handed the #7 jersey by Sir Alex. Many questioned his ability, but boy did he prove them wrong. Ronaldo spent six years at Old Trafford, making 292 appearances and scoring 118 goals. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008 and also won the Ballon d’Or during his time with United. His performances eventually caught the eye of super-rich Real Madrid, who paid a world-record fee of £80 million for his services.
MICHAEL OWEN
Wait, didn’t he play for Liverpool? Well, ummm, he did. Owen is probably the most surprising name on this list. Signed by Sir Alex, on a free transfer, Owen endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful after scoring a 96 th -minute winner against arch-rivals Manchester City in a Manchester Derby that ended 4-3. He spent three years at United winning the Premier League in 2010-11, before joining Stoke City and eventually retiring last season.
There are other notable mentions: Bryan Robson and Antonio Valencia, but the likes of Best, Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo had a profound impact on how United performed and one wonders who David Moyes will sign now as the custodian of the #7 jersey that lies vacant at Manchester United.