UNITED Number’s up for Jose on three iconic shirts
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS TO FILL THE FAMOUS JERSEYS?
UNITED are facing the prospect of filling three iconic shirts at the end of the season.
The numbers seven, 10 and 16 are set to be left vacant next summer providing Jose Mourinho with the challenge of finding players worthy of wearing shirts that hold such resonance at Old Trafford.
It is notable the United manager opted against reallocating the club’s most famous number - seven - after the departure of Memphis Depay in January.
The shirt made famous by George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo has weighed heavily on the shoulders of everyone who has taken it since Michael Owen left the club in 2012.
Antonio Valencia relinquished it after suffering a dramatic slide in form, while expensive signings Angel di Maria and Depay were sold on quickly.
Antoine Griezmann was seen as an ideal fit to become United’s latest No7 in the summer, with the Frenchman’s commercial profile following in the footsteps of Beckham and Ronaldo. But Mourinho had to shelve a 100m Euros move after injury to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Atletico Madrid’s upheld transfer ban prompted him to prioritise the signing of Romelu Lukaku.
Griezmann remains a target and the primary choice to take the shirt but it could take a similar amount of money to secure a new No10.
Ibrahimovic was handed the shirt after Lukaku took the No9 worn by the Swede in his first season at Old Trafford.
But at the age of 36, he will only be a temporary incumbent, with the expectation being that he will leave at the end of season for a final challenge in America.
United’s lack of an effective No10 has been patently evident this season, with Mourinho identifying Griezmann as a player capable of fulfilling that role in his team.
As for the shirt, Marcus Rashford seems the likeliest current member of United’s squad to be rewarded with it - even if Mourinho told him to take No19 because ‘goal-scorers wear nine.’
Mesut Ozil, who United continue to be linked with, is a more natural choice - particularly amid claims he’s coveted the shirt at Arsenal. As a free agent, he is also a cheap option ahead of a summer when Mourinho intends to spend heavily to close the gap to Manchester City.
The No16 shirt worn by Michael Carrick and Roy Keane is less of an issue in terms of its history.
But the influence of the two men who have worn it over a period spanning three decades says everything about the hole that will be left if, as expected, Carrick walks away when his contract expires in July. It is not so much a case of filling the shirt as the void.
Sir Alex Ferguson handed Keane’s number to Carrick as a show of faith upon his arrival in 2006.
He did likewise when anointing Ronaldo as Beckham’s successor, despite the Portuguese being a largely unknown teenager at the time.
Should Mourinho take a similar approach to emerging talents like Scott McTominay or Andreas Pereira it would be a significant statement but in the absence of Carrick he will need to find a player ready to be a real influence in his midfield.
Carrick’s enduring career at Old Trafford is a testament to the composure he brings that a succession of managers in Ferguson, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal have not been able to find elsewhere. In Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic, Mourinho has put together United’s best midfield partnership since Carrick and Paul Scholes.
But the manner in which his team has missed Carrick in the absence of the injured Pogba this season is evidence of United’s lack of options in that department. A successful loan at Valencia could see Pereira return as a player ready to make an impact - but it is a big shirt to fill. No7 options: Antoine Griezmann A commercial dream. The Frenchman already has a high profile and is endorsed by major companies. The prospect of placing him in the shirt worn by Beckham and Ronaldo would be the stuff of fantasy to Ed Woodward and investors on the New York Stock Exchange. Gareth Bale Another player with the commercial clout to carry it off - not to mention the ability to make him an Old Trafford icon. A long-time target of Woodward’s, it feels like next summer is his last chance of a move given that he will be 29 by the time next season kicks off. Cristiano Ronaldo He’s flirted with the idea often enough. A final swan song? No 10 options: Mesut Ozil Mourinho is a huge fan and he continues to be linked with a move to United. As a free agent, the Arsenal playmaker could be ideal. Marcus Rashford The brightest prospect to come through United’s academy in years. Would be a popular choice with fans. Zlatan Ibrahimovic Almost certain to walk away at the end of the season - but with Zlatan you never know. No16 options: Andreas Pereira Mourinho wanted him to stay and fight for his place this season. If his decision to go to Valencia on loan hasn’t blotted his copybook, it could be the making of him. Scott McTominay Another option from within - it would be a huge statement for Mourinho to hand the shirt to the 20-year-old, but there is real hope for him at United. Marco Verratti Ibrahimovic calls the PSG playmaker the Italian Zlatan. Represented by Mino Raiola, he would be very expensive but Woodward’s strong links with the agent could help.