CRISTIANO Ronaldo using the number seven this season has been discussed by those involved in the deal to bring him back to Manchester United, raising the prospect of him wearing the iconic shirt number.

United would need special dispensation from the Premier League for Ronaldo to take the shirt number from his first spell at the club, which is currently worn by Edinson Cavani and previously by George Best, Bryan Robson, David Beckham and Eric Cantona.

Ronaldo’s sensational £19.7million return to Old Trafford came after the season started with Cavani given number seven and rules stating the Uruguayan must keep the shirt during the campaign unless he leaves for another club.

However, it is understood that asking for permission to change shirt numbers was broached in talks when the deal was agreed and will now hinge on Cavani and the Premier League agreeing. Anthony Martial had to give up the number nine shirt following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s arrival in 2016, leading to some disgruntlement.

The Premier League and United have not commented on Ronaldo’s shirt number and a final decision is set to be made when he is unveiled, with the 36-year-old currently in Portugal ahead of the international break.

He was given the number seven shirt when he arrived at United in 2003 as an 18-year-old. In his time at Sporting Lisbon he wore the number 28 and it has been widely reported that he asked for the same number when he moved to England but was given the number worn by some of United’s greatest players.

When he moved to Real Madrid 12 years ago, he could not have his favoured number as it was taken by club legend Raul. When Raul moved to Schalke 04 in Germany the next summer, Ronaldo was granted his favourite shirt number again.

He also wore the number seven at Juventus before his return to the Premier League this season. With Cavani in possession of the shirt, without dispensation the next available are number 12, number 15 or Dan James’ old number 21 which Cavani wears for Uruguay.

(Yahoo Sports)