It is understood that the red devils intentionally kept the classic No.7 shirt vacant this season as they target a big signing to adorn the legendary number next summer – or even during the winter transfer window.
The club’s current manager Jose Mourinho was keen on bringing in a new winger into his squad during the past summer transfer window and was strongly linked with the likes of Ivan Perisic and Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale.
However, Inter Milan refused to sell Perisic during the window, and Bale remains at Real Madrid for the season.
And despite paying Everton a huge fee to land Romelu Lukaku during the summer transfer window, it is understood that the club still desires to bring in a new striker and, according to the Daily Star, have set aside £100 million to persuade Atletico Madrid to send across Antoine Griezmann to Old Trafford in the near future.
Griezmann had been close to moving to Manchester over the summer, but his club’s transfer ban meant the deal can’t work, and the Frenchman reluctantly stayed in Spain.
However, the Frenchman could be back on the list very soon, with Jose Mourinho’s side keen to bring in a big name worthy of wearing the No.7 shirt.
Legends like George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo have all worn the Jersey in the past at United, and the shirt is seen as having a big value commercially.
It is understood that Griezmann is very much likely to make the move to Manchester next summer – or even earlier in the January transfer window (as Diego Costa is getting set to return back to the club this January).
