Raheem Sterling could grab sentimental shirt number if he signs for Manchester United

Raheem Sterling will not be able to claim his favoured No.7 shirt at Manchester United if he completes a surprising move to Old Trafford. However, there's one sentimental option that might take his fancy.

Sterling has emerged as a late target for United this summer after being unceremoniously cast aside by Chelsea in the final stages of the transfer window. United have held exploratory discussions on a potential swoop, while they are now seemingly involved in a three-way transfer triangle involving Chelsea and Juventus.

Juventus and Chelsea both want Jadon Sancho and a swap deal involving the United forward and Sterling has also been mooted. Well-placed sources expect the parties involved will reassess that proposal, with enough time to get business rubber-stamped before 11pm comes and goes on Friday night.

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Sterling is certainly no stranger to the north west. The 29-year-old spent five years at Liverpool between 2010 and 2015 after leaving QPR, while the 82-cap England star went on to win ten major honours with Manchester City in a seven-year haul which included four Premier League medals under Pep Guardiola.

Despite those connections, it would be a dream come true for Sterling to play for United as he grew up in London supporting the Old Trafford giants. However, while he might have initially wanted to take the No.7 shirt he wore for City, that particular shirt number is not available to him.

Mason Mount, who incidentally took the direct route from Stamford Bridge to United himself last summer, has the iconic No.7 to his name. Sterling's other previous choices are also