CRISTIANO RONALDO is on the brink of completing his stunning return to Manchester United.
A deal between the Red Devils and Juventus was agreed on Friday.
Over the weekend, Ronaldo completed his medical and, with personal terms sorted over a two-year, £480,000-a-week contract, the transfer will be confirmed before Tuesday night’s deadline.
But it is still unclear what number the Portuguese superstar will wear at Old Trafford.
SunSport weighs up some of the possible options…
No7
Ronaldo has become synonymous with the No7 jersey since taking the number when he first joined United in 2003.
He even uses CR7 for his own branding and range of merchandise including aftershave and boxers.
But Edinson Cavani already holds the iconic jersey at Old Trafford – and came on at Wolves wearing it on Sunday.
Prem rules state the player with the No7 at Old Trafford retains the shirt throughout the season for which it is allocated.
Section M of the rule book relating to players’ identification reads: “Before the commencement of each season each club shall allocate a different shirt number to each member of its first team squad.
“A club shall likewise allocate a shirt number to any player joining its first team squad during the season.
“While he remains with the club, a player will retain his shirt number throughout the season for which it is allocated.
“Upon a player leaving a club the shirt number allocated to him may be re-allocated.”
It means if Ronaldo is to get the No7 this term, United would need to apply for special dispensation from the Premier League – which they have never granted in their 29-year existence.
Ronaldo can still wear the No7 in the Champions League as United can allocate different numbers for European competitions.
No28
With No7 seemingly unlikely, the No28 is another option.
Ronaldo wore No28 in his one season in the Sporting Lisbon senior side in 2002-03.
Another Uruguayan, Facundo Pellistri, is listed on the Premier League website as United’s No28.
But with the winger out on loan at Alaves this season, that could pave the way for Ronaldo to go back to his roots and looks the most likely option.
No9
Ronaldo was forced away from his famous No7 shirt in 2009 when he made his record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid.
Los Blancos legend Raul was still at the Bernabeu for another year, though, meaning Ronaldo had to sit tight before taking the No7.
Like with Cavani, though, Anthony Martial already has the No9 at Old Trafford – and if they are going to swap a number it would not be the No9 over the No7, even if Ronaldo has been signed as a centre-forward.
No17
It is a similar tale for the No17.
Ronaldo burst on to the international scene at Euro 2004 as he helped Portugal to the final… wearing the No17.
But that number is currently occupied by midfielder Fred.
No77
A bit of a rogue option could see Ronaldo go for No77.
It would be a bit random and the kind of number often used by academy stars given a shot in the first team.
But it would also keep with the No7 theme.
No52 or No61
Again keeping with the No7 theme, Ronaldo could choose No52 or No61 – with the digits adding up to his magic number.
No16 is Amad Diallo, No25 Jadon Sancho, No34 Donny van de Beek and No43 Teden Mengi. Doh.
Add a small plus sign in between and he would be going full Ivan Zamorano mode.
No30
He saw his great rival Lionel Messi leave Barcelona and take the No30 shirt at Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
But surely Cristiano would not copy him and take the same number, would he?
Well, the No30 is free – although like Ronaldo and No28, Messi’s first number was No30 so there is an emotional attachment for the Argentine.
No60
Not only would this settle the GOAT debate, it would prove Ronaldo is TWICE as good Messi.
Perhaps a bit of a long-shot.
Best of the rest
The highest numbers currently unassigned at Old Trafford are the No12 and No15 vacated by Chris Smalling and Andreas Pereira respectively.
No24 was last Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s but Darren Fletcher had it for a long time.
Other numbers up for grabs are 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40 and upwards. Not exactly entirely appealing for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
