Why don’t Prem teams retire a jersey number from their club after a legend has worn it? In Sports here in North America if an all time great player gets his jersey retired it hangs up in the rafters and no one can wear that number again.
Ronaldo wore the 7 for Man U and it just feels weird seeing it being tossed around from Depay, Di maria and now Mount.
Because decent teams would have no numbers from 1-11 left.
Also, you chose Ronaldo, when the likes of Best, Robson, Cantona, Beckham, etc….all had that number before
1-11 should never be retired. You mention Ronaldo but imagine if United retired the 7 after Best…
I think a lot of other more “unique” numbers often get retired by default of no new player wanting the burden, it took 20 years for someone to have the balls to take Zolas 25.
Its more common in Italy but there are a few. Nr 6 in West Ham is Bobby Moore’s and I think Man City retired Marc-Vivien Foe’s nr.
My Fellow Americans… We answered this question two days ago.
As if of all the absolute greats who have worn 7 for United you go for Ronaldo who complained that he was like a slave when they wouldn’t sell him to Madrid.
But the numbers are more linked to positions - whilst some clubs retire numbers most don’t because the numbers aren’t completely associated with one player.