Mason Mount can do what one of Manchester United's greatest-ever midfielders did with No.7 shirt

The decision to hand Mason Mount the No.7 shirt at Manchester United is a throwback to a time four decades ago and a central midfielder who remains one of the greatest ever in the club's history.

Seeing Mount unveiled as the new No.7 for next season took plenty of supporters by surprise on Wednesday and it's certainly a break from tradition. Plenty wanted to see Alejandro Garnacho given that number and the teenager mostly fitted the bill.

It is a shirt synonymous with thrilling wingers or attacking entertainers. From George Best to Cristiano Ronaldo, via Eric Cantona and David Beckham, the player wearing the No.7 should get fans off their seats at Old Trafford.

For all the qualities the £55million Mount will bring to United, that isn't his style. He looks an excellent fit for Erik ten Hag's system and style of play, but he's likely to be in a central role alongside Bruno Fernandes, showing graft alongside quality.

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Ten Hag's decision to offer Mount the No.7 shirt during talks about signing for United suggests the Dutchman isn't too concerned by traditions and that he wanted to make the 24-year-old feel valued. But it's also not a complete break from the history of that number.

While the names that roll off the tongue when considering the No.7 tend to be the exciting ones, there is one player who wore the number for a decade and is still remembered as one of United's greatest-ever players. Bryan Robson asked Steve Coppell if he could take that number when he joined from West Brom and he more than did it