Manchester United's No.7 shirt curse explained as Mason Mount finally shows his true colours

As the saying goes, one swallow doesn't make a summer. And one match-winning cameo doesn't make a No.7.

The infamous No.7 curse at Old Trafford needs little explanation. A nostalgic flick back through history tells us that some of Manchester United's greatest ever players wore that particular shirt number with pride - yet more recent 'owners' of (arguably) the most famous shirt in world football haven't hit such heights.

George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo (twice). Every United supporter will have their own favourite No.7 from years gone by and each of those stars etched their names into the club's history books, while Mason Mount might now be able to emerge from the shadows and underline his own credentials.

Injuries, form and so forth have effected the former Chelsea man heavily since a big-money move to Old Trafford ahead of the 2023/2024 season. The now-sacked Erik ten Hag thought so highly of Mount that he added the No.7 shirt front and centre into his and the club's sales package to lure the midfielder in from Stamford Bridge.

It worked. Mount left Chelsea for a staggering £65million, but has yet to repay that transfer fee.

However, the fit-again 26-year-old might well have kick-started his Old Trafford career. He was sensational after a second-half introduction against Athletic Club in their Europa League semi-final showdown on Thursday night and United might well find it difficult not to give him more air-time in the showpiece.

Mount doubled and then tripled his season's goal tally to send Bilbao packing. His second on the night had shades of the Beckham about it and while the comparisons end there - for now - Mount finally has his own springboard to lift the No.7 curse once and for all.

R