David Beckham says Memphis Depay must take the number 7 shirt at Manchester United as 'an inspiration' not a burden.

Beckham is just one of an elite list of names to have adorned the iconic number 7 shirt at Old Trafford, with some of Man United's greatest ever players wearing the shirt.

George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo all wore the shirt and all were fan favourites, with their name still sung at the Stretford End every other week.

Memphis told to take no. 7 shirt as honour by David Beckham

Memphis, as he prefers to be called, was given the chance to choose his number when he arrived at United this summer from PSV Eindhoven. With huge confidence as well as talent, if a slight attitude problem, last season's Eredisivie top goalscorer chose the iconic number.

Yet despite one inspiring performance in the UEFA Champions League against Club Brugge, as Memphis scored twice and assisted once, he hasn't hit the heights of his short PSV career yet.

Many who have worn the shirt have felt the pressure, with Antonio Valencia even choosing to ditch it two seasons ago. Beckham says Memphis must see it as an inspiration as he did himself. 

“It always was an inspiration for me," the former-England captain said. "I never regarded it with any intimidation. I saw it was an honour. It was never my shirt. It was George Best’s, Bryan Robson’s, Eric Cantona’s."

Beckham says he wore No 7 shirt because it is 'special'

“The only reason I wanted to wear the No 7 shirt was because of those players. No 7 is a special shirt for Manchester United. It always has been and it always will be. But personally I don’t think that it comes with any pressure."

Memphis has been out-of-favour for club and country recently. Academy graduate Jesse Lingard has been ousting the Dutchman from the side while Danny Blind only called him up to the Netherlands national squad after criticism from the manager.

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About the author
Harry Robinson
Deputy Editor-in-Chief at VAVEL UK, and Manchester United Editor.