From George Best to Cristiano Ronaldo, from Bryan Robson via Eric Cantona to David Beckham, the Manchester United No 7 shirt carries a mythical status. Beckham suggested after Best’s death in 2005 that the shirt should be “retired” in honour of the man who made it famous, but Ronaldo’s exit leaves a vacancy. When Ronaldo joined United, he asked for the No 28 shirt, only to be handed the No 7 that had been synonymous with Beckham. Ronaldo made the shirt his own. The question is whether there is anyone out there who can do the same.
Antonio Valencia
The most likely arrival. United made a firm inquiry about the Wigan Athletic and Ecuador winger on Monday and are expected to submit a formal bid shortly. Wigan want close to £20 million but United are expected to get him for about £15 million. Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, is convinced that he can develop into a world-class performer at Old Trafford.
Franck Rib?ry
Ferguson is an admirer of the France winger and considered signing him in 2007 before the player’s £18.7 million move to Bayern Munich from Marseilles, although Ferguson might balk at the prospect of paying 3K times that two years on. Rib?ry wants to leave Bayern and is thought to favour a move to Spain.
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Karim Benzema
Another player who has captured Ferguson’s imagination, Benzema is one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe, having scored 66 goals in 149 games for Lyons. Ferguson inquired about signing him two years ago, although the striker is unsure about moving to England. Benzema is only 21 and fairly unproven outside of France, so the United manager would be taking a huge gamble if he elected to meet Lyons’s €50 million (£43 million) asking price.
David Silva
Ferguson has cast covetous glances in the Valencia and Spain winger’s direction before but a move would come as a surprise. Valencia have accepted that they will have to sell Silva and/or David Villa, to ease their crippling financial predicament, but Liverpool or Real Madrid would appear a more likely destination.
Thierry Henry
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An outside bet. Ferguson has always admired Henry and a swansong return to the Premier League might appeal to the Barcelona forward, even if he would probably find it difficult to join Arsenal’s arch rivals.