This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
Manchester United's Jesse Lingard has emerged as a contender for the iconic No.7 jersey, left vacant by Alexis Sanchez's departure to Inter Milan on transfer deadline day.
Sanchez's exit marks the end of an era at Old Trafford, where the No.7 shirt has struggled to find a suitable replacement since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2009.
Memphis Depay was the last player to wear the jersey, succeeding Sanchez after his arrival from Arsenal in January 2018. However, Depay's tenure was short-lived, and the jersey has since been a subject of contention among United players.
Express UK reports that Lingard is eyeing the No.7 shirt, but former Manchester United striker Louis Saha is not convinced, stating that the jersey is not something that can be claimed arbitrarily.
"It's something that people give to you for some reason because you now have attached to your back something that represents the club, you represent the club, the history and all that," Saha said.
Sanchez's loan move to Inter Milan is a significant development for both clubs, and it remains to be seen how United will fill the void left by the Chilean forward.
